Nominations open for Sharjah's SIBF awards until August 31; Dh625,000 in prizes
Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has announced that registrations for the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) Awards 2026 are now open, with total prize money worth Dh625,000 distributed across ten categories. Applications will be accepted until August 31 and the winners are expected to be revealed during the opening ceremony of the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair later this year.
The yearly awards honour significant accomplishments from Emirati, Arab, and international authors and publishers in the fields of literature, academic research, poetry, fiction, non-fiction works and publishing. The idea is to nurture the collective creativity of emerging local talent and strengthen Sharjah's position as a global nexus for books, culture, and publishing.
Vision Behind the Awards
The awards are seen as enshrining the vision of Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, while at the same time complementing Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the SBA's efforts to bolster Sharjah's status among the most important global hubs for culture and publishing.
Sharjah International Book Fair Awards 2026 Categories
The awards are divided into four main categories:
1. Sharjah Award for Emirati Books – Dh300,000
This category honours exceptional works by Emirati authors and publishers.
Best Emirati Novel – Dh100,000
Best Emirati Academic Book – Dh100,000
Best Emirati Creative Literature Book (Poetry) – Dh50,000
Best Emirati First Novel – Dh50,000
2. Sharjah Award for the Best Arabic Novel – Dh150,000
The prize is shared equally between the winning author and publisher and recognises original Arabic novels that combine literary excellence with meaningful discussions on contemporary Arab issues.
3. Sharjah Award for the Best International Book – Dh100,000
Open to books published in English, this category includes:
Best International Fiction Book – Dh50,000
Best International Non-Fiction Book – Dh50,000
4. Sharjah Publisher Recognition Award – Dh75,000
This category honours outstanding publishing houses.
Best Local Publishing House – Dh25,000
Best Arabic Publishing House – Dh25,000
Best International Publishing House – Dh25,000
Eligibility Criteria
The awards cover books published during 2025 and 2026, while the Best Emirati Creative Literature Book (Poetry) category accepts works published between 2024 and 2026.
To apply, authors and publishers must:
Complete the online nomination form.
Print the completed application.
Submit three copies of the nominated book to the Sharjah Book Authority before August 31.
Encouraging Literary Excellence
Writers, researchers, publishers and translators have all been invited to submit this year for the Sharjah Book Authority's awards. In celebrating literary excellence, promoting culture and knowledge and creating an international platform for creative talent in the UAE and abroad, SIBF continues to raise Sharjah's profile as a world capital of books.
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