# Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest The Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest, run by Hollins University in Virginia since the 1960s, recognizes the best poems submitted by young women in their sophomore or junior year of high school. Hollins, home of one of the nation's oldest creative writing programs, publishes winning poems in its student literary magazine, Cargoes, and awards substantial scholarships. ## What You'll Do - Submit unpublished poems through the university's online entry form by October 31, 2026 - Compete for first place and six second-place awards judged by Hollins faculty and students - Have winning work published in Cargoes, Hollins's award-winning literary magazine ## Who Should Apply High school sophomores and juniors who identify as female; applicants must be U.S. citizens due to scholarship eligibility requirements. Previously published poems are ineligible, though work honored in school contests may be submitted. ## Outcomes The first-place winner receives $350 in cash, a renewable scholarship of up to $5,000 per year if she enrolls at Hollins, free tuition and housing for the Hollinsummer creative writing program, and publication. Second-place winners receive publication, magazine copies, renewable scholarships of up to $1,000, and $500 toward Hollinsummer. The contest is a meaningful early publication credit for serious young poets.