Irene Adler Prize

Writing has given me a rich and exciting life.

I’ve traveled the world from Sweden to South Africa, from the Golden Globes to the Olympic women’s hockey finals. I’ve photographed a mother polar bear and her cubs and profiled stars like ABBA, Jennifer Garner and Katarina Witt. And I couldn’t have done it without women.

I’ve been very fortunate, and it’s time for me to give back. With the Irene Adler Prize, I’m awarding a $1,000 scholarship to a woman pursuing a degree in journalism, creative writing, or literature at a recognized post-secondary institution.

The annual essay competition is open to entrants worldwide, and up to two $250 honorable mentions will be also awarded.

My mother is a journalist and my sister works in publishing. The editors who gave me my big breaks with the New York Times, the Washington Post, and National Geographic are all female. Nearly every story of mine that’s won an award was assigned by a woman. Teachers, librarians, publicists, literary agents, fellow writers…I could go on. Women have had a huge impact on my career.

In today’s challenging climate, I want to let my female colleagues know past, present and future that they and their work are respected and valued. This is not to minimize men. It’s to help maximize the talents of the other 50 percent of the world’s population, which is too frequently shortchanged. The time is right.

The 2026 Irene Adler Prize prize competition runs from January 30 to May 30.

The Irene Adler Prize: Competition Guidelines

1. Entry is free of charge.

2. There is no age restriction.

3. The Irene Adler Prize winner will receive a $1,000 US scholarship. Up to two awards of $250 apiece will be given for honorable mentions.

4. The competition is open to women commencing or continuing to pursue a bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D degree in journalism, creative writing, or literature at a recognized post-secondary institution in 2026-27.

5. Applicants may hail from any country worldwide.

6. The application period begins on January 30, 2026. The deadline is May 30, 2026. No late applications will be accepted.

7. Each application consists of two (2) elements:

A. A 500-word essay in English based on one of the following five essay prompts:

Illustrate what you have learned and gained from meeting a person (or people) from another culture.

What development in recent history makes you most optimistic about the future of women?

Describe the most unforgettable dream asleep, or awake you have ever had.

Write a fictional short story with a female protagonist and a dramatic twist ending.

Show what the rise of women’s sports worldwide means through non-fiction storytelling.

Each essay must have its own original title. The applicant’s name, mailing address, phone number, and email address must appear on the first page. All personal information will be kept strictly confidential.

B.A completed entry form (see Page 3 below)

8. The essay and entry form are to be emailed as separate attachments to: ireneadlerprize@gmail.com

The essay and entry form must be in Microsoft Word format.

In the email subject line, include the title of the essay and (Irene Adler Prize application). Example: Coming of Age Amid the Rhododendrons (Irene Adler Prize application).

9. There is a limit of one (1) entry per person. Multiple entries by the same person will be disqualified.

10. Entries will be judged on content, originality, structure, and overall writing quality by Lucas Aykroyd, the prize administrator. The administrator’s decisions are final.

11. Entries that are found to be plagiarized or AI-generated in whole or in part will be disqualified.

12. The winner will be announced on August 4, 2026. Honorable mentions will be awarded at the judge’s discretion.

13. The prize administrator reserves the right to publish the winning essay and the author’s name on lucasaykroyd.com and to publicize it through various media channels.

14. Proof of enrollment at a recognized post-secondary institution for 2026-27 must be supplied before the prize is paid out. This can consist of a) a proof of enrollment letter or certificate from the institution’s registrar’s office b) an official tuition bill c) a schedule of classes.

15. The $1,000 US prize payment and $250 honorable mention payments are intended to be applied to educational expenses such as tuition fees. Winners agree to supply confirmation, such as a receipt, tuition payment slip, or letter from their post-secondary institution, that their prize money has been applied to educational expenses.

16. Payment of any applicable taxes is the responsibility of the winner.

17. The Irene Adler Prize is a one-time award. Past winners of the $1,000 scholarship are not eligible to compete again. However, entrants who have earned honorable mentions in previous Irene Adler Prize competitions remain eligible.