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Drama Submission Guidelines and Requirements

TERMS OF THE AWARD

Columbia University, on the recommendation of the Pulitzer Prize Board, annually awards a Pulitzer Prize in Drama of $15,000 "for a distinguished play by an American author, preferably original in its source and dealing with American life." Authors are eligible if they are U.S. citizens, permanent residents of the United States or if the United States has been their longtime primary home.

ENTRIES FOR THE AWARD

Eligible works include full-length dramas that opened in the United States between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025. Please note that COVID-related expanded eligibility criteria (encompassing plays that were scheduled to be produced in theaters but postponed or cancelled due to the pandemic) are no longer in place.

The Pulitzer Prizes honor contemporary creative work. Dramatic works previously submitted for the award and revivals are not eligible. The creator(s) of a dramatic work should determine when it is ready for award consideration, as it may be submitted only once.

If necessary, eligibility will be determined on a case by case basis.

Please follow these entry procedures:

Complete the online entry form (including PDF upload of the required playscript) and pay non-refundable $75 entry fee by credit card.  

A video recording of the production is strongly urged to be included with the entry but is not required. If a recording is submitted, it will be used only to assist the judging process. Whenever possible, the recording should be provided as a web link on the online entry form. All video links must remain active and accessible until the Prize announcement in the spring of 2026. Any login credentials should be listed on the label of the uploaded item or emailed to [email protected] at the earliest convenience.

Alternatively, an mp4 video may be uploaded with an entry, although its resolution may not exceed 480p. Please provide a link if you want to submit high-definition video.

Entries should be made in advance of the December 31, 2025 eligibility deadline.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE AWARD

Columbia University awards the Pulitzer Prize in Drama annually on the recommendation of the Pulitzer Prize Board, which acts on the nominations of a distinguished committee of Pulitzer Drama Jurors. The award is announced during the spring.