The Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence is an annual national literary award designed to recognize rising African American fiction writers.

First awarded in 2007, the prize is underwritten by donors of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation in honor of the literary heritage provided by author Ernest J. Gaines, with the winner receiving a cash award (US$15,000 as of 2020[update]) "to support and enable the writer to focus on writing.

"[1] It has been described as "the nation's biggest prize for African-American writers".

[2]