The Hope Prize (the "Prize") is operated and promoted by Hope Prize ABN 72 401 067 792 ("we", "us", "our"). By submitting an entry to The Hope Prize, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions and our Privacy Policy (together, the "Agreement"). This Agreement sets out the rules of the competition and the rights and responsibilities of both parties.

Nothing in these Terms shall be construed as a waiver of the Applicant’s moral rights under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). 

1. Overview

The Hope Prize is an international short story competition open to eligible entrants who submit original works of fiction or memoir. Submissions will be reviewed and judged in accordance with these terms, and winners will be awarded cash prizes as follows:

• First Prize: AUD $10,000

• Second Prize: AUD $2,000

• Third Prize: AUD $1,000

Winners may also be offered publication in the Hope Prize anthology.

2. Definitions and interpretation

This Agreement, and any other terms and conditions or information on the Site, are originally drafted in English and have thereafter been translated into the other languages. In the event that any translated version of this Agreement, and any other terms or documentation, conflicts with the English version, the English version shall prevail, except where prohibited and without limitation to any statutory rights of consumers.

Any reference in this Agreement to the singular includes the plural, to any gender includes all genders, to any act or statute includes any Act or statute which supersedes, replaces or modifies any earlier Act or statute, to persons includes all bodies and associations both corporate and incorporated and vice versa.

Paragraph headings are for reference purposes only and all references to clauses are to clauses in this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

Any provision of this Agreement which is void or unenforceable may be severed from this Agreement without affecting the enforceability of other provisions.

A failure or delay by us to exercise a power or right under this Agreement does not operate as a waiver of that power or right, and the exercise of a power or right by us does not preclude our future ability to exercise that or any other power or right.

In this Agreement: "Applicant" means an individual who submits an entry to the Prize. "Submission" means a valid entry submitted by an Applicant in accordance with these terms. "Intellectual Property" includes all current and future intellectual or industrial property rights (registered or unregistered) worldwide. "Fee" refers to the submission fee payable by the Applicant at the time of entry. "You" or "your" means any person accessing our website or submitting an entry. Where context permits, words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa. Headings are for ease of reference only.

3. Eligibility & Entry Requirements

3.1 The Prize is open to individuals aged 18 years and older at close of submissions on 31 October 2025.

3.2 Applicants may reside anywhere in the world. All entries must be submitted in English.

3.3 The Prize is not open to employees or contractors of The Hope Prize, affiliated partners, judges, their immediate families, or anyone professionally connected to the administration of the Prize.

3.4 Submissions must be original short stories and narrative nonfiction under 5,000 words, and should address themes of hope, courage, or resilience, as described in the submission guidelines.

3.5 Each submission must be accompanied by a completed entry form and payment of the applicable submission fee. Multiple submissions are permitted, but each requires a separate entry and fee.

3.6 Entries must not have been previously published in print or online in a commercial context. 

3.7 Simultaneous submissions are permitted; however, it is the Applicant's responsibility to withdraw their submission from consideration if accepted elsewhere.

4. Submission Fees

4.1 An early bird fee of $20 AUD per submission applies to entries received before 11:59pm EST, 30 June 2025.

4.2 The standard fee is $30 AUD per submission for entries received after 30 June 2025 and before the final deadline of 11:59pm EST, 31 October 2025.

4.3 All fees are processed via Submittable. Fees are non-refundable, regardless of the outcome of the submission.

5. How to Enter

5.1 Entries must be submitted via Submittable in either Word (.doc/.docx) or PDF format. Submissions must not include any identifying information on the manuscript itself.

5.2 It is the responsibility of the Applicant to ensure their entry is correctly submitted. The Prize accepts no responsibility for lost, late, misdirected, or incomplete entries.

5.3 All entries must be the Applicant's own, original work and must not infringe the rights (including intellectual property rights) of any third party.

5.4 You agree to indemnify us and hold us harmless from any and all claims, loss and liability that may be brought against us, sustained or incurred as a result of your breach of your obligations under this Agreement and your breach of any third-party Intellectual Property rights.

5.5 Entry Withdrawal: An Applicant may withdraw their submission at any time by contacting hello@thehopeprize.com with the subject line "Submission Withdrawal" and including their submission ID. Once withdrawn, the entry will no longer be considered for the Prize and the submission fee will not be refunded.

6. Intellectual Property

6.1 Applicants retain full global copyright of their work. However, by submitting an entry, Applicants grant The Hope Prize the following rights:

(a) A non-exclusive, royalty-free licence for a period of 12 months from the date of submission, allowing The Hope Prize to copy, store, and use the work for administrative, operational, and judging purposes.

(b) For works selected as winners or highly commended entries (“shortlisted works”), a perpetual, non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to reproduce, publish, communicate, adapt, and distribute the submission (in full or in part) in any format or media, including but not limited to: promotional materials, online platforms, retrospective or educational collections, and The Hope Prize anthology.

6.2 Shortlisted Applicants understand that their work may be published in print and digital formats and used to help promote The Hope Prize and its charitable mission, now and in the future.

6.3 For entries not selected as shortlisted works, the licence granted in clause 6.1(a) will expire automatically 12 months after the date of submission.

6.4 Shortlisted authors may republish their work elsewhere after the initial publication date of the anthology, provided that such republication does not occur before the official release date. This clause ensures the originality and exclusivity of the anthology at the time of launch.

7. Judging

The judging process remains at all times in our discretion. We intend to run the process as follows, but reserve the right to modify any aspect of this process at any time:

7.1 Judging is conducted anonymously. All identifying information is removed prior to review by the judging panel. The judging panel will consist of at least two qualified judges with relevant literary expertise, whose names will be published on our website.

7.2 The panel will select up to 20 highly commended entries, including a first, second, and third place winner. These entries will be published in an anthology by Simon & Schuster Australia.

7.3 No feedback will be provided to entrants on their submissions. Due to the volume of entries received, we are unable to offer individual assessments or explanations regarding judging decisions.

7.4 Due to the volume of entries, our judging panel are unable to provide individual feedback. All judging decisions are final and made with great care.

8. Use of your information

8.1 We will use any personal information you provide in accordance with applicable law and our Privacy Policy. This includes using your information for the administration of the Prize, as described in these Terms and Conditions, and for any marketing or other purposes to which you have consented. We may also share your details with sponsors or partners involved in the Prize, but only where necessary to deliver or promote the Prize.

8.2 If you have any questions or concerns about the use of your personal information please contact us by email.

9. Tax Implications

9.1 Prize winners are responsible for any tax implications arising from their prize money. The Hope Prize does not provide tax advice and recommends that winners seek independent advice regarding tax obligations in their country of residence.

9.2 Where required by law, The Hope Prize may withhold taxes from prize payments or report prize payments to relevant tax authorities.

9.3 International winners are responsible for understanding and complying with any applicable tax obligations in their country of residence. 

10. Unforeseen Circumstances

We take great care in running The Hope Prize, but just in case the unexpected happens:

10.1 The Hope Prize may need to modify competition deadlines, prize structure, or anthology publication due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control.

10.2 In such cases, The Hope Prize will make reasonable efforts to notify Applicants of any changes as soon as practicable.

10.3 The Hope Prize will not be liable for any failure to perform its obligations due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, significant public health events, or major disruptions to essential services.

11. Governing Law

11.1 These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia.

11.2 Any disputes arising in connection with the Prize shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Victoria, Australia.

12. Liability

12.1 To the fullest extent permitted by law, we are not liable for any damage, loss, or disappointment incurred by you as a result of participating, or not being able to participate, in the Prize; being unable to claim a prize; or in connection with any events, announcements, or publications related to the Prize.

12.2 We are not liable for any indirect, consequential, special, or incidental loss or damages of any kind.

12.3 To the maximum extent permitted by law, we exclude all conditions, warranties, guarantees, and representations that may be implied by statute, common law, or otherwise.

12.4 Insofar as permitted by law, The Hope Prize, its employees, and affiliated partners shall not be liable to compensate any entrant or winner for any loss or damage arising from the acceptance or use of a prize.

12.5 Without limiting the above, our total liability to you or any third party (whether arising under contract, tort, statute, or otherwise) in connection with this Agreement shall be limited to the value of the submission fee paid by you.

12.6 In the event of unforeseen circumstances, we reserve the right to amend, suspend, or cancel the Prize at any time, without prior notice. The Prize is void where prohibited by law.

12.7 We reserve the right to update or amend these Terms and Conditions at any time. Any material changes will be communicated via our website. Changes made after an entry has been submitted will not apply retrospectively without the entrant’s consent.

12.8 If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Contact

For all enquiries, please email: hello@thehopeprize.com
Follow us on Instagram: @hopeprize