The Award has 10 categories: Literature; Translation; Contribution to the Development of Nations; Arab Culture in Other Languages; Children’s Literature; Manuscripts, Encyclopedias, and Lexicons; Literary and Art Criticism; Young Author; and Publishing and Technology.

In addition, the Cultural Personality of the Year award recognizes a prominent Arab or international individual or organization who has made creative or intellectual contributions that enrich Arab culture and truly embodies the values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

Authors may submit nominations directly or through their publishers, provided the works have been published within the past two years and have not received major international awards. Original works must be written in Arabic, with the exception of categories that accept submissions in other languages.

Those categories are:

● 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. This year’s winner was Stefan Weidner for Der arabische Diwan: Die schönsten Gedichte aus vorislamischer Zeit, an edited anthology which represents 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 won for her book Smorgasbords of Andalusi and Maghribi Dishes and Their Salutary Benefits, a translation of the 13th-century cookbook Anwāʿ al-Ṣaydala fī Alwān al-Aṭʿima which provides a vital contribution to the literature of food history.

● Publishing and Technology: Open to international publishers, distributors, and cultural organizations using technological innovation to advance publishing, expand content dissemination, and bridge cultural exchange. This year’s winner was the Emirates Literature Foundation.

● Manuscripts, Encyclopedia, and Lexicons: Dedicated to works in any language that demonstrate rigorous scientific methods applied to the editing of Arabic manuscripts or the production of specialized and general lexicons, representing a significant addition to human knowledge. Egyptian scholar and philosopher of religion, Prof. Dr Mohamed Otham Elkhosht, was awarded this year’s Award for his six-volume Encyclopedia of World Religions. The Encyclopedia surveys the world’s major religions, detailing their doctrines, historical trajectories, and cultural expressions.

For its 21st edition, the Award has approved the acceptance of PDF copies of nominated works for the first time. In addition, the submission platform has received significant upgrades to streamline participation, broaden access, enhance submission efficiency, and align with digital advancements for ease of participation and the review process by the judging committee.

To learn more about the award and to submit your work before September 1st, visit the award platform here.