First awarded in 1997, the prize is given "for the best unpublished book-length collection of poetry in English, in honor of native Missourian T. S. Eliot’s considerable intellectual and artistic legacy".
Poets submit their unpublished collections to Truman State University Press for each year's competition.
A well-known poet is chosen each year to judge the collections, and to select the winner and several finalists.
The winners, collection titles, and judges of the annual Prize are listed below.
The complete list of winners and finalists is posted at the Truman State University Press website.