Application for the Morland African Writing Scholarships 2025 is open now!!!
The Miles Morland Foundation (MMF) is thrilled to announce that the application period for the 2025 Morland Writing Scholarships for African writers will officially open on Tuesday, July 1st. Recognizing the unique challenges that emerging writers face as they strive to balance their creative aspirations with the necessity of earning a living, the MMF aims to alleviate some of this pressure by providing financial support through these scholarships.
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The Morland Writing Scholarships are designed to enable aspiring writers to dedicate time to producing the first draft of a completed book. Each scholarship supports writers from Africa who write in English. This includes individuals who were born in Africa, as well as those whose parents were both born in Africa. By focusing on this demographic, the MMF aims to uplift African voices in literature and create a platform for more diverse storytelling.
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The Miles Morland Foundation (MMF) awards a select number of scholarships each year, each worth £18,000. This funding is distributed in monthly payments across twelve months, giving writers steady financial support as they develop their book projects. For non-fiction authors who may need additional time for in-depth research, the foundation allows for an extension of up to eighteen months, recognizing that projects vary in scope and requirements. This flexibility ensures writers can focus fully on their work without financial strain.
Applicants are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity and submit their materials before the deadline. Both new candidates and those who have applied in previous years are welcome, though reapplicants should provide new proposals and updated writing samples rather than resubmitting earlier work. The foundation expects to see clear growth and progress in the ideas and writing since any prior application.
Selection is highly competitive, with the judging panel choosing four scholars each November. The announcement of the winners marks an exciting milestone and the beginning of a transformative journey for those selected.
The Morland Writing Scholarships offer African writers more than just financial aid: they provide the freedom to dedicate meaningful time to their craft while recognizing the talent and promise within the continent’s literary community. Recipients may begin their projects at any time between January and June of the year after their award, giving them the flexibility to shape their creative process at their own pace.
If you are committed to storytelling—whether through fiction or non-fiction—this scholarship could be the opportunity that enables you to bring your vision to life. Don’t miss your chance to apply and move closer to achieving your writing aspirations!
Benefits
- Applicants will receive a grant of £18,000, distributed in monthly instalments over one year.
- Non-fiction writers who need extra time for research may be eligible for additional funding for up to 18 months.
- The writing scholarship is a fantastic opportunity that provides financial support so that emerging writers can focus solely on completing the first draft of a full-length book.
- The program will help overcome the challenge many writers face of balancing creative work with earning a living, particularly in the early stages of their careers.
Eligibilities
- The scholarships are open to writers born in Africa or with both parents born in Africa.
- Applicants must submit a previously published excerpt of their work, written in English, between 2000 to 5000 words.
- The submitted work must have been both published and made available for sale.
- Academic, scientific, religious, or political works are not eligible for the Miles Morland scholarship.
- Similarly, scholars are required to submit at least 10,000 new words each month during the scholarship period.
- Candidates must also submit a book description of 400 to 1000 words outlining their intended project.
- The proposed project must be a new, full-length book of at least 80,000 words, written in English.
- It is not a residential scholarship. Applicants are free to decide their living arrangements during the scholarship year.
- Moreover, the scholarship does not support collaborative works or short story collections.
- The proposal must be for a new project, not an existing work in progress, and should be in the English language.
Application Process
- Before you apply, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and requirements. Miles Morland Writing Scholarships Requirements:
- Submission of 2000-5000 words document of work that was published
- Proof of publication and proof of sale
- Description of between 400-1000 words of the book that the applicant intends to write
- Scan of document showing that the applicant, or both of their parents, were born in Africa
- Brief bio of 200-300 words
- All submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges appointed by the MMF.
- Similarly, applicants should carefully fill the application form for these writing grants.
- Make sure to apply before the deadline.
Application Deadline: September 22, 2025
Application ClosedOfficial link
