The acceptance of applications for the Union State Prize in Literature and Art will begin on October 1

"Applications for the awards will be accepted from October 1, 2026, to January 31, 2027. In the Russian Federation, submissions are handled by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation; in the Republic of Belarus, by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus," the statement reads.

Works eligible for nomination must have been made public no later than March 1, 2026. Nominations may be submitted by creative unions, government bodies, research organizations, institutions and enterprises in the fields of culture and the arts, higher education institutions, media outlets, publishing organizations and enterprises, and public associations.

An organization may nominate only one author or one team of authors for the awards. Works in the fields of literature, literary studies, and art history may be nominated only after publication in print. Works in the fields of music, theater, fine arts, monumental art, choreography, variety performance, circus arts, audiovisual arts, and design may be nominated after being presented to the public – such as at concerts, exhibitions, theaters, or cinemas, or via radio and television. Architectural works may be nominated after the facilities have been commissioned.

Union State awards in the fields of literature and the arts are conferred for works that make a significant contribution to strengthening the bonds of brotherhood, friendship, and comprehensive cooperation between the member states of the Union State, provided the authors are citizens of those member states.