Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize
るーす・りりーししょう
An annual award honoring the lifetime achievements of American poets. Awarded by the Poetry Foundation.
PoetryLifetime Achievement AwardAmerican Literature Award
- Established
- 1986
- Organizer
- The Poetry Foundation
- Category
- Poetry and Contemporary Poetry
- Selection Method
- Recommendation
- Target
- Professional
- Frequency
- 1 per year
- Announcement Period
- around May
- Status
- Active
Description
The Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize was established in 1986 and is awarded annually by The Poetry Foundation to honor the lifetime achievements of a living American poet at the time of the award. The prize amount is $100,000 USD, considered one of the highest-paying literary prizes in the world.
Prize
- Main Prize
- Cash prize (awarded to the recipient)
- Cash Prize
- 100,000 USD
- Honor (recognition of lifetime achievements)
- Publicity and introduction by the Poetry Foundation
Selection
Selection Process
| Stage | Judges | Pass Rate | Announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selection | The Poetry Foundation (selected by the foundation's selection committee/board) | — | Announced on the Poetry Foundation's official website and press releases |
Selection
Judges
The Poetry Foundation (selected by the foundation's selection committee/board)
Announcement
Announced on the Poetry Foundation's official website and press releases
Criteria
- Must be a living American poet at the time of the award
- Lifetime accomplishments are outstanding and warrant extraordinary recognition ("lifetime accomplishments warrant extraordinary recognition")
Application Tips
Dos
- No application is required as this is not an open call.
- Continuing poetry writing and building achievements through publications, readings, etc., makes it easier to gain attention.
- Since evaluation is based on career achievements in poetry, emphasize long-term activities.
Don''ts
- Directly requesting the organizing body 'I want to apply' (this award is given by selection)
- Sending unofficial applications or unsolicited materials
Related Awards
- Other awards from the Poetry Foundation (e.g., Pegasus Awards)
- List of poetry awards
- American poetry awards