Who is eligible:
There are no restrictions whatsoever as to the age of the poet or to the style of his or her work. The award is judged by a panel of three to five poets or other writers whose tastes and knowledge of contemporary American poetry are wide-ranging and thorough.

How to apply:
Candidates can be nominated for the PEN/Voelcker Award only by Members of PEN. All letters of nomination (one to two pages is expected) should describe the scope and literary caliber of the candidate's work, and summarize the candidate's publications. Most importantly, nominations should articulate the degree of accomplishment the nominated poet has attained, and the esteem in which the candidate's work is held within the American literary community. It is understood that all nominations made for the PEN/Voelcker Award supplement internal nominations made by the panel of judges.

Deadline for nominations:
This award is biennial and will be offered in 2010.

Nominations must be received between September 1, 2009 and January 14, 2010. Send inquiries and nominations to::

PEN/Voelcker Award for Poetry
PEN American Center
588 Broadway, Suite 303
New York, NY 10012

For more information, please contact Nick Burd, Literary Awards Program Manager, at awards@pen.org or (212) 334-1660 ext. 108.