The Miles Morland Writing Scholarship 2026 supports eligible writers who need dedicated time to produce the first draft of a completed book. The Miles Morland Foundation provides a £18,000 grant over 12 months, with possible extended support for selected non-fiction projects. Applications are accepted from 1 July to 22 September 2026.
Programme Snapshot
Programme: The Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarship
Category: Writing Scholarship
Host: Miles Morland Foundation
Format: Non-residential
Grant: £18,000
Duration: 12 months, with possible extended support for non-fiction
Application Period: 1 July–22 September 2026
Eligible Applicants: English-language writers born in Africa or whose parents were both born in Africa
About the Miles Morland Writing Scholarship 2026
The scholarship aims to give writers the financial space to complete the first draft of a new book. It is intended for writers working in English who meet the Foundation’s African birth or parentage requirement.
The scholarship is not residential. Selected writers decide their own living arrangements during the scholarship period and may begin between January and June in the year following the award.
Grant and Scholarship Support
Selected scholars receive financial and professional support while developing their proposed book.
✓ A grant of £18,000
✓ Monthly payments over 12 months
✓ Possible extended funding for up to 18 months for non-fiction projects requiring additional research time
✓ An opportunity to receive mentoring from an established author or publisher
✓ Advice from the Foundation on finding agents and publishers
Extended support and mentorship remain at the Foundation’s discretion. The Foundation does not act as the scholar’s editor or publisher.
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Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet the scholarship’s writing, publication, and background requirements.
• Write in the English language
• Have been born in Africa, or have two parents who were born in Africa
• Submit an eligible example of previously published writing
• Provide evidence that the submitted work was published and offered for sale
• Propose a completely new full-length book
• Submit an individual proposal rather than a collaborative writing project
The submitted writing sample will be assessed on literary merit by the Foundation’s readers and judges.
Eligible Proposed Books
The proposal must describe a new work that the applicant has not already begun writing. It must be for a full-length adult book of at least 80,000 words.
Both fiction and non-fiction proposals are accepted. However, the scholarship does not support:
• Short story collections
• Poetry
• Plays
• Film scripts
• Children’s books
• Collaborative writing projects
• Academic or scientific research
• Works of special interest such as religious or political writings
Non-fiction applicants may receive additional research time when approved by the Foundation.
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Required Application Materials
Applicants must complete the official online form and provide all six required items.
• A 2,000–5,000-word excerpt from one published work, submitted as a Word document
• Proof that the submitted work was published
• Proof that the submitted work was offered for sale
• A 400–1,000-word description of the new book
• An official document showing that the applicant or both parents were born in Africa
• A 200–300-word biography
• A statement explaining how the applicant learned about the scholarship
The book description should explain the work the applicant plans to produce during the scholarship period. A conventional CV or résumé is not listed as a required document.
Scholar’s Responsibilities
The scholarship requires recipients to maintain consistent writing progress.
• Submit at least 10,000 new words to the Foundation each month
• Continue monthly submissions until the book is completed or the scholarship term ends
• Continue editing and refining the manuscript if the first draft is completed early
• Donate 20% of future income received from the book written during the scholarship period
The 20% contribution includes income from the book and related rights, such as film rights and serialisation. The Foundation describes this commitment as a debt of honour rather than a legally binding obligation.
Shortlisting and Assessment
The submitted published work will be evaluated solely on literary merit. Applicants who reach the shortlist will be asked to provide a 3,000–4,000-word chapter from the book they propose to write.
Shortlisted writers will be notified at the end of October. They will then have 15 days to submit the requested sample chapter for the judges’ assessment.
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Key Dates
• Applications accepted from: 1 July 2026
• Application deadline: 22 September 2026
• Shortlist notification: End of October
• Possible scholarship start: Between January and June following the award
Applications submitted outside the official application period will not be considered.
How to Submit an Application
Applicants must upload the required materials through the official Writing Scholarship Application Form. They should confirm that every document and supporting item is included before submitting the form.
The application page accepts the writing submission, evidence of publication and sale, book description, proof of background, biography, and applicant details.
Application Deadline
The deadline for the Miles Morland Writing Scholarship 2026 is 22 September 2026.
Apply Here
Submit your application through the official application link below.
