Cherie Blair has stepped in to help fund the Women's Prize for Fiction - previously the Orange Prize - while it looks for new sponsors.
Organisers said the prize, which was sponsored by the communication company up until last year, will be privately funded while "headline sponsorship negotiations for 2014 and beyond are concluded".
Other backers joining the former Prime Minister's include entrepreneur Martha Lane Fox and writer Joanna Trollope.
Kate Mosse, who chairs the prize board, said: "We were overwhelmed with interest from potential headline sponsors. However, it became clear sponsorship budgets for next year were already committed, so we took the decision to privately fund the Prize for 2013 while we finalised our arrangements for 2014 and beyond. We are delighted that such a wide range of people are supporting this exceptional year and thank them for their support."
American novelist Madeline Miller won the 2012 prize - the last time it was formally known as the Orange Prize for Fiction - with her debut novel The Song of Achilles.
Next year's prize will be awarded on 5 June at the Royal Festival Hall, London, after the judges, who include actress Miranda Richardson and writer JoJo Moyes, have picked a winner.
Richardson said: "This is a new departure for me and I am honoured to be working with judges who combine fine minds with, I suspect, great good humour.
"I look forward to sharing with them the delights of finding new insights into our existence, through the unique voices of the women entering this year's competition. It will be rigorous, and hopefully, fun. It is an exciting responsibility and I very much look forward to beginning the journey."
The winner will receive the usual prize - a cheque for £30,000 and a limited edition bronze figurine known as a Bessie.
Previous winners include Zadie Smith, Linda Grant and Lionel Shriver.
Elsewhere in Culture this week:
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3 - 9 December
The Bodyguard (REVIEW): Whitney Houston's Talent Lives On
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/12/06/the-bodyguard-review_n_2250701.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
3 - 9 December
Men Who Stole £500k Henry Moore Sculpture 'The Sundial' To Sell For £46 To Be Sentenced
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3 - 9 December
Kraftwerk To Play Complete Studio Albums At Tate Modern
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/12/05/kraftwerk-to-play-complete-albums-tate-modern_n_2244155.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
3 - 9 December
2012's Best Light Art In Pictures
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3 - 9 December
Cultural Icon Of The Year 2012: Vote Now
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3 - 9 December
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/16/head-of-a-young-apostle-auction_n_2143102.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
3 - 9 December
Jeff Goldblum On His World Of Dreams And Latest Wes Anderson Project
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/12/08/jeff-goldblum-old-vic_n_2262297.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
3 - 9 December
Elizabeth Price Wins The Turner Prize 2012
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/12/03/elizabeth-price-turner-prize-winner-2012_n_2233334.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-arts">READ FULL STORY</a>
3 - 9 December
Incredible Close-Up Snowflake Photography (PICTURES)
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/12/06/snowflake-photography_n_2249606.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
3 - 9 December
GDT European Wildlife Photographer Of The Year 2012 (PICTURES)
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/12/07/environment-wildlife-gdt-_n_2256146.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
26 November - 2 December
CS Lewis Facts: 11 Things You Never Knew About The Narnia Author
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/29/cs-lewis-narnia-facts-_n_2209399.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-books">READ FULL STORY</a>
26 November - 2 December
Yoko Ono's New Fashion Line Shows Bums, Raises Eyebrows
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26 November - 2 December
Pippa Middleton's Book Celebrate 'Is Terrible' Says Riders Author Jilly Cooper
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/12/04/pippa-middleton-book-celebrate-terrible-riders-author-jilly-cooper_n_2236482.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
26 November - 2 December
Evening Standard Theatre Awards: Danny Boyle, Dame Judi Dench and Hattie Morahan Triumph
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/26/evening-standard-theatre-awards-2012_n_2190421.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-theatre">READ FULL STORY</a>
26 November - 2 December
Tracey Emin Blog: Never Knew a Horse Could Be So Good for Your Soul
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/tracey-emin/tracey-emin-a-long-way-from-home_b_2192187.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-arts">READ FULL STORY</a>
26 November - 2 December
Making A Splash: Water Balloon Art Just Got A Make-Over
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/12/05/water-balloon-art-just-go_n_2243259.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-arts">READ FULL STORY</a>
26 November - 2 December
Frida Kahlo Clothing Exhibition Opens In Mexico City
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/27/frida-kahlo-clothing-exhibition_n_2197314.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-arts">READ FULL STORY</a>
26 November - 2 December
Photographer Brian David Stevens' 'Graffiti Portraits' Reveals People Behind The Tags (PICTURES)
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/26/brian-david-stevens-graffiti-portraits_n_2190269.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-photography">READ FULL STORY</a>
26 November - 2 December
Male Nudes Exhibition To Open At Wallace Collection (PICTURES)
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/28/male-nudes-exhibition-wallace_n_2202479.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-arts">READ FULL STORY</a>
26 November - 2 December
William Blake's Mad Wisdom To Celebrate The Great Poet's Birthday
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/28/william-blake-quote_n_2202721.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-arts">READ FULL STORY</a>
19 November - 25 November
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/16/head-of-a-young-apostle-auction_n_2143102.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
19 November - 25 November
19 November - 25 November
19 November - 25 November
19 November - 25 November
19 November - 25 November
19 November - 25 November
19 November - 25 November
19 November - 25 November
19 November - 25 November
9 November - 16 November
Photograph, Or Painting?
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/14/robin-eley-hyperrealistic-paintings_n_2127538.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
9 November - 16 November
First Fashion Photographs Of Kate Moss, Aged 14, To Be Sold At Auction
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/12/kate-moss-first-fashion-shots_n_2116174.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
9 November - 16 November
'Head Of A Young Apostle' By Raphael To Sell For £15m At Auction
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/16/head-of-a-young-apostle-auction_n_2143102.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
9 November - 16 November
Street Artist Bambi Opens Solo Show In London
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/15/bambi-street-artist-solo-show_n_2136279.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
9 November - 16 November
Death Exhibition Opens At Wellcome Collection
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/15/death-wellcome-collection_n_2135588.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
9 November - 16 November
World Press Photo Contest Winners On Show At Southbank Centre
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/13/world-press-photo-contest-winners-2012_n_2122410.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
9 November - 16 November
Dorothy Bohm Interview: 'I Remember Every Photograph I Take'
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/15/dorothy-bohm-interview_n_2137660.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
9 November - 16 November
Urban Masters: Banksy, Shepard Fairey And Blek Le Rat Share Street Art Show In London
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/13/urban-masters-street-art-show_n_2121406.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
9 November - 16 November
What Inspires Me: Judy Chicago
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/12/judy-chicago-interview_n_2117721.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
9 November - 16 November
Where The Mangrove Grows (REVIEW): Joe Hammond's Heartbreaking Portrait Of Neglect
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/12/where-the-mangrove-grows_n_2118923.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
2 November - 9 November
Sienna Miller Naked Portrait: Artist Jonathan Yeo Paints Pregnant Actress
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/06/sienna-miller-naked-portrait_n_2084975.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
2 November - 9 November
What Inspires Me: Charlie Brooker
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/06/charlie-brooker-interview-2012-romney-books-black-mirror_n_2082614.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
2 November - 9 November
Forests (REVIEW): Calixto Bieito Condenses The Spirit Of Shakespeare With Nudity And Violence
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/07/naked-shakespeare-forests-review_n_2087315.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
2 November - 9 November
Andy Golub's Body Paint: Naked Wanderers And Surreal Human Murals
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/08/andy-golub-body-paint-art_n_2092618.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
2 November - 9 November
Henry Moore's Draped Seated Woman Sold Off By Tower Hamlets Council To Meet Budget Cuts
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/08/henry-moore-sculpture-sold-london_n_2091431.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
2 November - 9 November
How One Charity Is Tackling Complex Mental Health Problems Using The Simple Power Of Reading
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/05/reading-as-therapy-reader-organisation_n_2076568.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">
READ FULL STORY</a>
2 November - 9 November
How Culture Is Changing The Face Of Belfast
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/08/belfast-culture-weekend-change_n_2091527.html?ref=topbar">READ FULL STORY</a>
2 November - 9 November
Tiny Ripples Look Like Giant Tidal Waves In DebM's 'Waveart' (PICTURES)
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/06/waveart-pictures_n_2084948.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
2 November - 9 November
Obama Art: Paintings, Sculptures And Comics Inspired By President Barack Obama
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/06/obama-art_n_2081252.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
2 November - 9 November
Spencer Tunick Marks Mexico's Day Of The Dead With Usual Battalion Of Nudes (PICTURES)
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/06/spencer-tunick-marks-mexicos-day-of-the-dead-with-usual-battalion-of-nudes-pictures_n_2082180.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
26 October - 2 November 2012
'Jimmy Savile Is Innocent' Exhibition Under Fire For Sexualised Picture Of Young Girl
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/10/26/jimmy-savile-innocent-art-show_n_2021509.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
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PA/Huffington Post | Posted: 09/10/2012 09:45 BST | Updated: 08/12/2012 10:12 GMT