Bridge Prize

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The Bridge Prize is presented by the School of Liberal Education at the University of Lethbridge. The Bridge Prize is a biennial short story writing competition that intends to inspire and motivate the next generation of fiction writers in Canada. 

The biennial competition, established in 2020, is the only national writing competition of its kind in Canada. Only undergraduate and graduate students attending colleges and universities in Canada are eligible to submit a short story. Over $12,000 in cash prizes awarded. Winners and finalists also receive a $200 gift card courtesy of Munro’s Books of Victoria. 

The "short-list" for the 2026 Bridge Prize Competition is below!

The winners will be announced in September!

Graduate Short List:

• Margo Makes a YouTube Channel : Tristan Hay Lee, UBC
• Narrowing of the Waters: Zakir Jamal, McGill University
• Neoprene:  Grainne Downey, UBC
• Star People Swaddle: Scotty Olsen, UBC
• Three Wolves Howling at the Moon: Scotty Olsen, UBC

Undergraduate Short List:

• Blue:  Gia Bruce, UBC
• Deceitful Workmen:  Liam Godard, University of Ottawa
• Lemon Cake:  Anastasia Stetsko, Bishop's University
• Tail, neck and Bladis:  Elaina Covell, Carleton University
• Weeds:  Emma Davis, Concordia University

Submission GuidelinesFAQs Past Competitions Author Advice

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Bridge Prize Partner

Prizes

Prizes – New for 2026!

Top Prize – Graduate category: $5,000
Top prize – Undergraduate category: $5,000
Finalist in each category: $1,000

Each winning author and finalist will also receive a $200 gift card courtesy of Munro’s Books.

“Serving on the Bridge Prize jury has been a major career highlight. The stories submitted provided me a thorough glimpse of the exceptional talent among emerging writers in Canada today. I was captivated by the craft and content…and I look forward to reading more from these gifted authors in the future!”

– Waubgeshig Rice, Bridge Prize juror 2022 and 2022 Giller Prize juror