Submissions now OPEN for the 2026 Priscila Uppal Memorial Award for Poetry

“She was, as anyone who knew her will tell you, one of the true, great lovers of story. Priscila was the kind of woman you did not know you needed until she arrived. And I know she will keep on arriving in everything she’s left behind.”

– Canisia Lubrin

Canthius is delighted to announce that submissions are officially open for the 2026 Priscila Uppal Memorial Award for Poetry.

Named “Canada’s coolest poet” by Time Out London, Priscila Uppal was a tour-de-force and her poetry was anything but sit-down, tame, or by the book. Priscila wasn’t afraid to wear wigs, be theatrical, and laugh in the face of the darkness we all face, to put her hands right in that darkness and dig aroud for something to grasp onto. For this contest, our first under Canthius’s new leadership, we encourage submissions that explore that darkness and find ways to grab ahold of something in the midst of it all. Our hope is that this award will honour Priscila’s legacy as a mentor and friend to many. 

“Your soul has been waiting for you,
hands in its pockets. Hands
In its pockets with deep, dark holes.”

— Priscila Uppal, “I Call My Spirit Back” from On Second Thought (2018)

The Priscila Uppal Memorial Award for Poetry is given to the single best poem submitted, along with a $500 cash prize. A runner-up also receives a $200 cash prize.

Contest Details

2026 Contest Dates: March 1st to May 1st 2026

Short List and Winners will be announced in July 2026

First Prize: $500

Runner-up: $250

Entry Fee: $15 (paid through submittable), and $5 for each subsequent entry

To make the contest as accessible as possible, we have a limited number of fee waivers available. If the contest entry fee is a financial barrier for you, please email info@canthius.com to request a fee waiver.

For more information on how to submit, see the contest guidelines page here: