Call For Applications:  Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarships 2026 for African Writers (Up to £18,000 in Funding)

Application Deadline: September 22, 2026

About the Scholarships

The Miles Morland Foundation (MMF) Writing Scholarships were established in 2013 by Miles Morland, a seasoned investor with a focus on Africa. The primary aim of the foundation is to promote and support African writing and literature, ensuring that African voices are heard on the global stage. Recognizing the challenges faced by writers, especially the difficulty of dedicating time to craft their work while also earning a living, the scholarships are specifically designed to alleviate this burden and foster literary creation. Each year, the MMF awards a small number of scholarships to talented writers, providing them with the financial support and time needed to produce the first draft of a complete book. This dedicated period allows scholars to focus solely on their writing without the immediate pressures of financial or professional obligations. The goal is to nurture emerging African authors and help them bring their stories, ideas, and voices to life. The Scholarships are open to anyone writing in English who was born in Africa or has parents who were born in Africa. This inclusive criterion encourages a diverse range of voices and stories from across the continent. Recipients of the MMF Writing Scholarships gain not only financial support but also recognition and visibility for their work, helping to elevate African literature on the international stage. If you are an aspiring writer of African origin working in English and seeking the opportunity to complete a significant literary project, the Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarships offer a valuable platform to realize your creative potential.

Scholarship Benefits

Scholars will receive a grant of £18,000, paid monthly over the course of twelve months. At the discretion of the Foundation, Scholars writing non-fiction, who require additional research time, could receive an additional grant, paid over a period of up to eighteen months.

Additional Support:

• Scholars will be offered the opportunity to be mentored by an established author or publisher (in most cases, the mentorship will begin after the book has been finished)
• The cost of mentorship will be borne by the MMF

Scholar’s Undertaking:

• Scholars must submit at least 10,000 new words every month by email until they have finished their book, or their Scholarship term has ended
• If the first draft is completed before the year is up, payments will continue while the Scholar edits and refines their work
• Scholars are also asked to donate to the MMF 20% of whatever they subsequently receive from the book written during the Scholarship period (considered a debt of honour rather than a legally binding obligation)

Eligibility Requirements

Who Can Apply:

• Writers born in Africa, or with both parents born in Africa
• Exception: If you were not born in Africa and only one parent was, you qualify if you can show documentary proof that you are a full-time resident of Africa (having spent at least nine of the previous twelve months in Africa)

Published Work Requirement:

• To qualify, candidates must submit an excerpt from a piece of work of between 2,000 – 5,000 words, written in English that has been published AND offered for sale
• The published work must have appeared in a book, journal, or magazine that has been offered for sale
• Publication in a free book, magazine, or blog is not eligible
• Kindle publication is acceptable; it is the only online medium that is

Ineligible Submissions:

• Academic or scientific research
• Religious or political writings
• Poetry, plays, film scripts, children’s books, and short story collections
• Collaborative writing
• Short story collections

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following documents:

1. A submission of between 2,000 to 5,000 words as a Word document of work that has been published and offered for sale
2. Proof of publication and proof of sale
3. A description of between 400 – 1,000 words about the new book you intend to write
4. A scan of an official document showing that you, or both of your parents, were born in Africa
5. A brief bio of between 200 – 300 words
6. Tell us how you heard about the Morland Writing Scholarships

Proposal Requirements:

• The proposal must be for a new work, not a work in progress
• Must be for a full-length book of no fewer than 80,000 words
• Must be in English
• Only full-length works of adult fiction or non-fiction qualify

Shortlisting Process:

• If shortlisted, you will be asked to send a 3,000 – 4,000 word “chapter” of the book you are proposing to write
• Writers will be notified that they are on the shortlist at the end of October and will have 15 days to return the sample “chapter”

Important Dates

• Applications Open: July 1, 2026
• Application Deadline: September 22, 2026
• Shortlist Announced: November 2026
• Winners Announced: November 2026

Why These Scholarships Matter

The Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarships provide a rare opportunity for African writers to focus entirely on their craft for a year, free from the financial pressures that often prevent talented authors from completing their work. By offering a substantial grant and the possibility of mentorship, the scholarships help develop African literary voices and ensure that important stories from the continent are told.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted using the application form on the Miles Morland Foundation website. The application form can be found by clicking on the blue bar along the top of the website or by clicking on the ‘Writing Scholarship Application Form’ from the drop-down menu.

Application Link: Click here to apply