21 January 2026, Dubai, UAE: Winners were announced for the MBRSC Short Story Award: New Voices in Sci-Fi, a prestigious science fiction writing competition for emerging writers in the UAE. Presented by the Emirates Literature Foundation in collaboration with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), the award challenged aspiring authors to craft original and thought-provoking science fiction stories exploring themes such as space exploration, time travel, advanced technology and futuristic civilisations.

Open to submissions in both Arabic and English, the competition invited writers to imagine new worlds — from intergalactic adventures and robot-driven societies to groundbreaking scientific discoveries — while demonstrating strong storytelling craft and creative vision.

Winners and Special Mentions

(English-language winners listed below. Arabic-language winners are announced in the Arabic press release.)

Age 16–21 category

1. Krystal Wu
2. Yusr Al Dulaimi
3. Malaika Nazir

Special Mention: Sarika Saravana

Age 22–30 category

1. Alyaa Ferry
2. Aditi Patwari
3. Zahra Almarhoon

Special Mention: Patricia Mae Estenoso

Age 31–40 category

1. Jay Sreekumar
2. Tara Bradford
3. Zainab Ahmed

Special Mention: Shayesteh Yarmahmoudi

Winning writers will have the opportunity to further develop their skills through expert-led workshops, with selected stories set to be published in the region’s first ever literary sci-fi literary magazine, marking an important milestone in their literary journeys. Special Mention recipients received certificates at the awards ceremony.

H.E. Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General, MBRSC, said: “This award reflects our belief in the role of science fiction as a creative space where ideas about science, technology, and the future can take shape. Through this initiative, we are empowering emerging writers in the UAE by giving them a platform to share their perspectives, develop their skills, and explore imaginative visions of the future. We are pleased to collaborate with the Emirates Literature Foundation on this competition, which supports creative talent and contributes to a vibrant cultural and knowledge ecosystem, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a centre for innovation across space, science, and literature.”

Ahlam Bolooki, CEO, Emirates Literature Foundation, said: ” We feel incredibly proud to have Emirati astronauts such as HE Sultan AlNeyadi and Hazzaa AlMansoori as role models for the children of the Emirates. With this competition, we now have Emirati and expat authors who call the UAE home writing the next generation of epic science fiction. As a Foundation, we are always looking for ways to close gaps in the local publishing industry, and we are deeply grateful to partners like MBRSC who support us in this mission.”

A Thriving Writing Community

This year’s winners also highlighted the strength and interconnectedness of the Emirates Literature Foundation’s creative community. Several awardees had previously participated in the Foundation’s wider programmes, from youth advisory groups and volunteer initiatives to writing platforms such as Homegrown Voices and First Chapter, demonstrating a sustained appetite for writing opportunities and long-term creative engagement in the region.

Competition Details

Participants were required to submit an original science fiction short story of between 1,500 and 6,500 words in either Arabic or English. Entries were accepted across three age categories: 16–21, 22–30 and 31–40.

Submissions were evaluated by a panel of judges, including Philip Reeve, award-winning author the bestselling Mortal Engines series, Yi-Hwa Hanna, Dubai-based international journalist and writer exploring speculative fiction, science fiction, and human-centred futurism, and Amna Mohamed AlNuaimi, Education and Public Outreach Manager at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, and assessed against the following criteria: originality, scientific grounding, narrative strength, and quality of prose.

The second cycle of the competition will open in summer 2026.