We’re putting the finishing touches to the 2026 prize package, and we’re still welcoming new partners. That means there may be a few exciting additions over the coming weeks. We’ll keep this page updated as we announce new prizes and opportunities, so the final package is subject to change.

Young Science Writer of the Year

Our first-prize winner will receive an outstanding package designed to recognise your talent, celebrate your achievement, and help you take your next steps in science and science communication.

You will be awarded £1,000, an official Young Science Writer Award trophy, and a personalised winner’s certificate.

A central part of the first prize is national publication. The winning essay will be published by our established media and science communication partners, giving your work a genuinely high-profile platform and introducing your writing to a wide audience.

You will also have the opportunity to take part in exclusive, behind-the-scenes experiences with leading organisations in UK science and media. These are designed to show you how science stories are developed and shared—what it’s like to work with professional journalists, editors, and communicators, and how you might explore future pathways in these fields. (Specific visits and experiences are confirmed as partners finalise their 2026 plans.)

In addition, the winner will receive a set of premium prizes from our partner organisations, which may include:

  • invitations to major science events
  • a digital subscription to a leading science publication
  • a curated science book bundle from a publishing partner
  • high-quality stationery to support your continued writing

Finally, the winner will have the chance to be profiled or interviewed by one of our youth-facing media partners, helping you build confidence as a communicator and celebrate your success publicly.

This prize is designed to elevate your voice, reward your hard work, and give you memorable opportunities across the UK’s science, publishing and media landscape. We will confirm final details on this page as the full 2026 prize package is finalised.

Runner-up Prizes

We are proud to recognise two outstanding entrants as runners-up. These prizes are designed to celebrate exceptional science writing and support you as you continue to build confidence, skills and curiosity.

Each runner-up will receive £250 and an official Young Science Writer Award runners-up certificate.

Runners-up will also receive a selection of high-quality prizes from our partner organisations, designed to help you keep reading, researching and writing. This may include:

  • a curated science book bundle from a publishing partner
  • a digital subscription to a leading science magazine
  • a premium stationery bundle to support your next ideas and drafts
  • a science magazine or feature from one of our youth-facing partners

As with all elements of the award, we will confirm final details on this page as the full 2026 prize package is finalised. What will not change is our aim: to ensure runners-up receive a meaningful combination of recognition, resources and inspiration to help you keep going with science writing.

Highly Commended Prizes

In addition to our main winners, we are proud to recognise ten exceptional entrants with Highly Commended awards. These prizes celebrate essays that stood out for their insight, originality and promise as emerging science communicators.

Each Highly Commended entrant will receive £100 and an official Highly Commended certificate.

Highly Commended students will also be invited to attend the Young Science Writer Award Ceremony, where certificates are presented on stage—an opportunity to celebrate your achievement in front of peers, families, teachers and supporters of the award.

Alongside this recognition, Highly Commended entrants will receive a set of partner-supported prizes designed to encourage continued reading and writing. This may include:

  • a premium stationery bundle to support your next ideas and drafts
  • a science book bundle from a publishing partner
  • a science magazine or gift from one of our youth-facing supporters

We will confirm final details on this page as the full 2026 prize package is finalised. Our commitment remains the same: to recognise your achievement properly and to encourage you to keep developing your voice in science writing.

Awards and Prize Conditions


Prize payments

All cash prizes will be paid by bank transfer within 10 working days of the Awards Ceremony, taking place on Monday 15 June 2026. Prize funds are intended to support winners’ educational and personal development.

Awards Ceremony and Travel Support

The winner, runners-up and highly commended entrants will be invited to attend the Young Science Writer Award Ceremony at the Science Museum, London. To help the finalists participate fully, we will provide a 50% contribution towards travel costs, covering standard public transport for the finalist and up to two parents/guardians. Travel support is provided on the basis of receipts and in line with our travel guidance.

Winner Experiences

In addition to the main prizes, the first-prize winner will be invited to exclusive visits to science media/publication organisations, to learn more about how science reporting and media production work in practice. The winner may be accompanied by one parent/guardian (or an adult aged 18+ with parental/guardian permission). Visits are subject to partner availability and safeguarding requirements.

Publication and Editorial Process

Publication is a central part of the prize package. The winning essay will be published by our media partners (scheduled for 2026, subject to editorial calendars) and will include the winner’s name, age and school. Runners-up will be published on the ABSW and on our partner websites. Highly commended essays will be published on the ABSW website.

All winning essays will be edited by professional science journalists to ensure clarity, accuracy and suitability for publication. Editing is undertaken to preserve the author’s voice while meeting professional editorial standards.

These opportunities reflect our commitment to celebrating young science writers—and to ensuring winners can fully benefit from the recognition, development and experience their prizes are designed to provide.

The Association of British Science Writers is registered in England and Wales under company number 07376343 at 76 Glebe Lane, Barming, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 9BD.
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