If you’re an African writer with a powerful story to tell, the Miles Morland Writing Scholarship could give you the time and financial support you need to bring your book to life. Applications for the 2025 scholarship open on 1st July 2025 and close on 22nd September 2025.
What Is the Morland Writing Scholarship?
The Miles Morland Foundation offers annual writing scholarships to African writers working in English. The goal is simple: to give talented writers the financial freedom to focus solely on completing a full-length book — whether fiction or non-fiction.
You are eligible to apply if:
- You were born in Africa, or
- Both of your parents were born in Africa.
What You’ll Receive
- £18,000 Grant paid monthly over 12 months (fiction writers).
- Up to 18 months of support may be available for non-fiction writers who need extra research time.
What You’ll Need to Do as a Scholar
- Submit 10,000 new words each month via email.
- At the end of your project, you’re asked to donate 20% of any earnings from the book (including publishing, film rights, etc.) to the Foundation — a non-binding debt of honour, not a legal contract.
Who Should Apply?
Writers working on original, full-length adult books (minimum 80,000 words) in English. This scholarship does not support:
- Short story collections
- Poetry
- Children’s books
- Plays or screenplays
- Academic, political, or religious works
Important Notes
- Shortlisted applicants (notified in late October) will have 15 days to submit a 3,000–4,000 word sample “chapter” of their proposed book.
- Mentorship: Scholars may receive mentorship from an established author or publisher after completing their manuscripts.
- Start Date: Chosen scholars can begin their scholarship anytime between January and June 2026.
- The scholarship is non-residential — scholars can live and write from anywhere.
How to Apply
Your application must include the following five elements:
- A previously published work (2,000–5,000 words), clearly showing it has been sold commercially.
- A project proposal (400–1,000 words) describing the book you plan to write.
- A brief bio (200–300 words) about you and your background.
- Proof of eligibility based on your place of birth or your parents’.
- A completed application submitted between 1 July and 22 September 2025.
Apply via the “Morland Writing Scholarship Application” link on the Foundation’s website.
For questions, contact: scholarships@milesmorlandfoundation.com
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