The PEN/Malamud Award is a prestigious literary honor presented by the PEN American Center. It recognizes outstanding achievement in the short story form, celebrating writers who have made significant contributions to this genre. The award is named after the acclaimed author Bernard Malamud, known for his impactful short stories and novels. Established in 1979, the award is given annually to a writer whose work exemplifies the qualities of literary excellence and humanism. Recipients are selected based on their body of work, and the award aims to promote the importance of short fiction in the literary landscape.