El 9th National Short Story Competition It has become one of the most recognized literary competitions for young people in the country, bringing together hundreds of participants each year who want to say something important in very few words. This year's theme revolves around... “Micro messages from the youth to the country”, a direct invitation for boys and girls to write down what they would like to say to Chile.
Driven by National Youth Institute (INJUV) Framed within the National Reading, Writing, and Oral Communication Plan, the competition aims to encourage teenagers and young adults to explore the written word in short forms. The objective is clear: a micro-story of up to 300 characters to leave a message for the country, with a fresh, critical or emotional perspective, but always from the experience of the new generations.
A tribute to Gabriela Mistral's errands
The theme chosen for this year is inspired by the “messages” from Gabriela MistralThese short texts, in which the Chilean author reflected on subjects as varied as nature, education, politics, and daily life, are the starting point for the competition, which encourages young people to create their own. micro errands to the countryadapting that historical format to current concerns.
80 years after Mistral received the Nobel Prize for LiteratureThe initiative also serves as a tribute to the work of the poet, diplomat, and educator. Through these micro-stories, INJUV aims to to highlight the voice, the expectations and the experiences of those who are currently between 15 and 29 years old, giving them a space to say what kind of Chile they dream of, what worries them, or what they want to change.
In the words of the organization, this competition, already in its ninth editionIt aims to promote reading in new formats and open avenues for young people's literary creativity. The idea is that reading and writing should be understood as a shared right and practice, capable of building bridges, inspiring and helping to reduce social and cultural gaps through words.
For those not yet familiar with the format, Mistral's messages can be read as very short essays and chronicles that condense complex ideas into a few lines. The contest brings that logic into the present, challenging participants to condense their message into just 300 characters, which forces them to choose each word carefully.
This condensed writing approach makes the competition a good opportunity to experimenting with languageTo try different structures, experiment with ironic or poetic tones, and play with double meanings, always within the limits set by the rules. Participants must find a balance between clarity, emotion, and conciseness.
Who can participate in the 9th National Short Story Contest
The contest is aimed at 15 29 and youth between years who reside in the country and have the necessary documentation. One of the key requirements is to have national identity card or for foreigners, always issued by the Civil Registry and Identification Service, since that information will be used to validate the application.
Only original and unpublished storiesThat is, texts that have not been previously published or awarded in any other contest, medium, or platform. Each person must submit an original microfiction piece, avoiding plagiarism and respecting the copyrights of others at all times.
In addition to the identity document, the rules state that those who are selected must also provide the following: They must be holders of a bank accountThis point is important, since the cash prizes will only be awarded via electronic transfer, so cash payments or other methods are not considered.
The call is part of the actions of National Plan for Reading, Writing and OralityTherefore, the ideal participant is a young person interested in reading and writing, even without prior experience in competitions. You don't need to be a professional writer; all you need is a clear idea and the desire to express it in a few lines.
INJUV emphasizes that this space functions as a platform for to make visible the diversity of perspectives present among young people: urban and rural realities, different origins, varied educational trajectories and very different sensibilities, all of them with a place in a contest that prioritizes the content of the message over the literary trajectory.
Age categories and competition structure
To ensure a more balanced competition, the 9th National Short Story Competition is organized in three categories of participationdefined according to the age of the registered individuals. This prevents very young teenagers from competing directly with those who have already accumulated more experience.
The age ranges are established as follows: one category of 15 to 18 or 19 years old (as indicated on the official platform at the time of registration), another for young people from 19 or 20 to 24 years oldand a third group that includes those who are among the 25 and the 29 yearsIn either case, the key is to verify that the age matches the deadline indicated in the terms and conditions.
Within each category, the micro-stories will be evaluated according to literary criteria and thematic relevance, seeking texts that discuss the idea of “micro-messages to the country”The jury will value both the quality of the writing and the originality of the approach and the ability to synthesize information in such a small space.
It is important to note that only one entry per person will be considered, therefore Submitting multiple micro-stories is not allowed. under the same name or pseudonym. This limitation requires carefully selecting the proposal to be submitted and working on it thoroughly before uploading it to the system.
The competition's design maintains the structure of previous editions, consolidating a format that has become established among youth cultural activities. Minor adjustments have been introduced each year, but The focus remains on short writing and in the connection between literary creation and citizen participation.
Awards by category and financial requirements
One of the great attractions of the 9th National Microfiction Competition are the cash prizes These prizes are awarded to the top winners in each age category. They are intended to recognize creative effort and, at the same time, provide a small financial boost to the winners.
In each of the three categories, prizes will be awarded. three main prizesThe first place winner will receive an amount of $500.000The second place winner will receive $300.000 and the third place winner will receive $200.000These amounts are repeated identically in all age groups, so the financial recognition is the same for teenagers and young adults.
As stated in the rules, in order to receive these prizes, the selected individuals must prove that they are the holders of a bank accountThe money will be delivered exclusively via electronic transfer, which is why it is essential to have an active account associated with the winner's name.
Beyond the economic aspect, the organization emphasizes that the competition also aims to offer a symbolic space of recognition to young voices. Being selected among the best micro-stories provides special visibility for those who wish to continue delving deeper into writing or simply want to share a powerful message.
The combination of financial incentive and literary merit positions this competition as a friendly gateway to the world of letters for many young people who may have never applied to a call for applications of this type and who find here an accessible format to take their first step.
Application deadlines and key dates
The process of submitting microfiction includes a limited time that interested parties should keep in mind. According to information from INJUV, the application period opened at the beginning of November, and Registration will remain open until Sunday, December 7th., date on which the online form will close.
The deadline for participation is 23:59:59 on December 7, 2025From that point on, it will no longer be possible to upload new texts or modify the registered information. Therefore, it is recommended not to leave registration until the last minute, in order to avoid errors or connection problems that could exclude interested participants.
Once the deadline has passed, the jury will begin the process of reading and evaluating the submitted micro-stories. According to the published schedule, the official publication of the results is scheduled for the day December 22, date on which the names of the winners and any honorable mentions will be announced.
In the time between the closing of applications and the publication of the results, the following will take place: administrative review of the dataverifying that the requirements regarding age, documentation, and originality of the works are met. This phase is key to ensuring the transparency of the process and a level playing field for all participants.
For those considering participating, it is helpful to organize in advance: Write the microfiction, review it carefullyCheck the character count and have everything ready several days in advance. That way, if any technical issues arise, there will still be time to resolve them within the official deadline.
How to apply to the competition step by step
Registration for the 9th National Microfiction Contest is done completely online through the INJUV platformTo begin the process, it is necessary to access the website enabled for the contest at the following address https://extranet.injuv.gob.cl/microrrelatosinjuv/, accessible from any browser with an internet connection.
Once inside the portal, the interested person must identify themselves with their RUN and ClaveÚnicaThis allows the system to validate the participant's identity and link their data to the submitted microfiction. After this step, the system will display the application form with the required fields that must be completed carefully.
Among the data requested is the title of the microfiction, an pseudonym, alias, nickname or sobriquet with whom you want to sign the text, and the upload of a front photograph of the Identity CardIn addition, the platform will ask you to enter your own microfiction in the space designated for the text.
The organization recommends Write the microfiction directly in the formAvoid copying and pasting from other programs or devices. This tip aims to reduce the risk of errors in character counting or formatting, as the system will limit the text to a maximum of 300 characters without spaces, as stipulated in the terms and conditions.
Before definitively submitting the application, it is essential Please check that all fields are completed and that the text has been entered correctly. The portal usually displays warning messages when information is missing or when the email address is invalid, so it's advisable to pay attention to these warnings and make the necessary adjustments before clicking the submit button.
Recommendations for preparing your microfiction
The 300-character limit forces writers to condense ideas and emotions into a very small space, which makes microfiction a exercise in linguistic precisionA good strategy is to start by writing a longer version of the message and then cut out everything that is not essential, until you are left with only the essentials.
Take as a reference the messages from Gabriela Mistral This can help find the right tone: short texts that address fundamental themes such as education, social justice, our connection to nature, or community life. The key is to bring these concerns into the present from the perspective of young people, using their own contemporary language.
It is also advisable to read the text aloud before sending it, as this allows detect repetitions, confusing phrases or words that could perhaps be replaced with more direct ones. In such a short format, every word counts, and any adjustment can make all the difference.
Another suggestion is to ask someone you trust to read the microfiction and comment on what they understand and what feeling it leaves them with. That little external contrast It can be used to check if the intended message is clear, or if it can still be polished a little more to gain strength and coherence.
Finally, it is worth bearing in mind that the jury will value not only the theme, but also the originality of approach and literary qualityOpting for unexpected perspectives, suggestive metaphors, or powerful imagery can help your text stand out among the dozens of stories that will be received in each category.
Within this framework, the 9th National Microfiction Competition is presented as an accessible and stimulating opportunity To encourage young people between the ages of 15 and 29 to write and leave their own message for the country. With clear guidelines, defined deadlines, attractive prizes, and a theme that engages with literary tradition through Gabriela Mistral, the competition reinforces the idea that words remain a powerful tool for thinking about, questioning, and proposing the Chile of the future.