Sharjah: The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has officially opened nominations for the prestigious Sharjah International Book Fair Awards 2026. This initiative, which boasts a total prize fund of AED625,000 across 10 distinct awards, aims to celebrate exceptional accomplishments in writing and publishing. The awards focus on highlighting Emirati and Arab talent, while also recognizing distinguished books on a global scale.
According to Emirates News Agency, the awards encompass a variety of categories, including novels, studies, poetry, and foreign books. They also extend recognition to local, Arab, and international publishing houses. Nominations remain open until 31st August, accessible through the website https://sibf.com/ar/awards. The winners are set to be announced during the opening ceremony of the 45th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair.
The awards reflect the visionary outlook of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. They are designed to celebrate creative and intellectual achievements and to inspire a new generation of writers, publishers, and researchers. Under the leadership of H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SBA, the awards are aligned with SBA's mission to enhance Sharjah's reputation as a global hub for books and publishing, as well as a home for creators, publishers, and translators around the world.
The SIBF Awards are divided into four primary categories: the Sharjah Award for Emirati Books, the Sharjah Award for the Best Arabic Novel, the Sharjah Award for the Best International Book, and the Sharjah Publisher Recognition Award. These categories cover books published in 2025 and 2026, with an exception for the Best Emirati Creative Literature Book (Poetry), which includes works from 2024, 2025, and 2026.
The Sharjah Award for Emirati Books aims to spotlight local literary and intellectual creations by recognizing Emirati authors and local publishing houses. This category consists of four subcategories with a prize fund totaling AED300,000. Notably, AED100,000 is awarded each for Best Emirati Novel and Best Emirati Academic Book, while AED100,000 is shared between Best Emirati Creative Literature Book (Poetry) and Best Emirati First Novel.
The Sharjah Award for the Best Arabic Novel offers a prize of AED150,000, shared equally between the author and publisher. This award targets Arabic novels that blend originality with renewal, addressing human, social, and Arab realities through a cohesive creative vision.
The Sharjah Award for the Best International Book, with a total prize of AED100,000, is open to English-language publications. It is split equally between Best International Fiction Book, which includes novels and imaginative literary works, and Best International Non-Fiction Book, which honors serious intellectual and research-based works.
Lastly, the Sharjah Publisher Recognition Award acknowledges publishers who significantly contribute to the evolution of the publishing industry through enriching publications. This award carries a total prize of AED75,000, with AED25,000 allocated to each of the Best Local Publishing House, Best Arab Publishing House, and Best International Publishing House.
SBA extends an invitation to writers, researchers, publishers, and translators to participate in the awards. Over the years, the awards have grown into a notable platform for recognizing creativity and knowledge, while reinforcing Sharjah's status as a global cultural, books, and publishing destination.