Submissions Open for 21st Edition of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award

Organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) under the auspices of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the Award recognises the exceptional contributions of writers, translators, researchers, academics, and publishers from around the globe.

Since its establishment in 2006, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award has received more than 33,000 submissions and honoured 144 laureates, playing a pivotal role in advancing the global reception of Arab culture.

The Sheikh Zayed Book Award is now accepting fully digital submissions. Applicants can submit their works entirely in PDF format through the Award's online portal, removing the need for physical copies during the submission phase. The initiative reflects the Award's commitment to supporting a more efficient, accessible, and globally connected publishing ecosystem. By simplifying the application process for publishers, authors, translators, and academic institutions worldwide, the new system facilitates both participation from international applicants, and the review process for the Award's judging committees.

The Award features ten distinct categories, five of which are open to international applicants and non-Arabic books:

● Arab Culture in Other Languages: Open to academic and cultural books published in the last five years in English, German, French, Italian, or Spanish that focus on Arab culture in any form. The 2026 laureate was German author Stefan Weidner for Der arabische Diwan: Die schönsten Gedichte aus vorislamischer Zeit, representing the most extensive collection of early Arabic poetry in the German-speaking world since the 19th century.

● Translation: Open to books translated to or from Arabic within the last two years across all genres. This category reflects the Award's commitment to bridging linguistic divides. In 2026, Iraqi-American translator Nawal Nasrallah was recognised for Smorgasbords of Andalusi and Maghribi Dishes and Their Salutary Benefits, her masterful translation of a 13th-century cookbook.

● Publishing and Technology: Open to international publishers, distributors, and cultural organisations utilising technological innovation to advance publishing, expand content dissemination, and bridge cultural exchange. Previous winners include the Emirates Literature Foundation (2026), British magazine Banipal (2020), and Dutch publisher Brill (2012).

● Manuscripts, Encyclopaedia and Lexicons: Dedicated to works in any language that demonstrate rigorous scientific methods applied to the editing of Arabic manuscripts or the production of specialised and general lexicons, representing a significant addition to human knowledge.

Cultural Personality of the Year: Honours a prominent Arab or international figure or institution that has made a transformative contribution to the advancement of Arabic culture. Recipients are selected via nominations from academic institutions, research organisations, or three prominent cultural figures. Previous laureates include Egyptian vocal icon Nagat El Saghira (2026), internationally acclaimed Japanese author Haruki Murakami (2025), and Spain's Casa Árabe (2024), reflecting the Award's commitment to recognising outstanding contributions to culture and intercultural dialogue.

Arabic-Language Categories: The Award also accepts submissions for works written exclusively in Arabic across five additional categories: Literature (including fiction and poetry), Young Author (for writers under the age of 40), Children's Literature, Contribution to the Development of Nations and Literary and Art Criticism.

To learn more about the guidelines and to submit your nomination, please visit and register on the official SZBA submissions portal.