The Macmillan Prize for Illustration 2026

The competition is now closed for submissions for 2026. 

The winners will be chosen by a panel of judges and will be announced on Thursday 25 June 2026.

The Macmillan Prize for Illustration is awarded for an unpublished children’s picture book. Established in 1985, this prize is open to non-professional illustrators who are based in the UK at the time of submitting an entry. The aim of the award is to stimulate new work that helps creatives to begin their professional careers. This coveted award has discovered many award-winning and bestselling talents, including Emily Gravett, Lucy Cousins, Ross Collins, Bethan Woollvin, Morag Hood and Becky Colvin. 

Previous winners say. . .

Entries to the Macmillan Prize for Illustration 2026 are now closed.

Please see terms and conditions here.