The Wisława Szymborska Award is an international prize given in two categories: annually for the best book of poetry published originally in the Polish language in the year preceding the award (first category) and every other year for a volume of poetry translated into Polish (second category). Books in both categories can be submitted for the current (tenth) iteration of the award.

Candidates for the Award may be proposed by publishing houses, cultural institutions, literary journals and websites, members of the Award Committee, and other persons.