The award, presented by Pinter's widow, Lady Antonia Fraser, supports a new commission at the Royal Court Theatre.
Payne is the writer of Wanderlust and Constellations, which opened at the Royal Court's Jerwood Theatre Upstairs and will transfer to the West End's Duke of York's Theatre in November.
In addition, the Roundabout Theatre Company in New York City will present his play If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet at the Laura Pels Theatre later this year.
