2024 Miles Morland Foundation Morland Writing Scholarships for African Writers.

The Miles Morland Foundation Morland Writing Scholarships are prestigious awards aimed at supporting African writers in their pursuit of literary excellence. Established by the Miles Morland Foundation, these scholarships are designed to provide financial assistance to emerging and established writers, allowing them to focus solely on their writing projects without the burden of financial constraints. The foundation’s mission is to nurture the rich literary talent found across the African continent and to encourage the creation of outstanding literary works that reflect diverse African experiences and perspectives.

Each year, the Miles Morland Foundation offers a number of writing scholarships to both fiction and nonfiction writers. Successful applicants receive a stipend, which is typically disbursed over the course of twelve months. This financial support is intended to cover living expenses, enabling writers to dedicate their time and energy to their writing projects. In return, scholarship recipients are expected to submit a monthly progress report, demonstrating their commitment to producing a substantial body of work during the scholarship period.

The selection process for the Morland Writing Scholarships is highly competitive, with applicants required to submit a detailed proposal outlining their writing project, along with a sample of their work. The proposals are evaluated based on the originality, quality, and potential impact of the proposed projects. The foundation seeks to support works that offer fresh insights, compelling narratives, and contribute to the literary landscape of Africa.

One of the unique aspects of the Morland Writing Scholarships is the emphasis on mentorship and professional development. In addition to financial support, recipients have the opportunity to receive guidance and feedback from established writers and literary professionals. This mentorship component helps to refine the recipients’ writing skills, enhance their storytelling techniques, and provide valuable insights into the publishing industry. This holistic approach ensures that scholars are well-prepared to navigate the literary world and achieve long-term success.

Miles Morland set up the foundation which bears his name in 2013, after a career investing in Africa via two companies he created, Blakeney Management and DPI (Development Partners International).  It can be difficult for writers, before they become established, to  write while simultaneously earning a living. To help meet this need the MMF annually awards a small number of Morland  Writing Scholarships, with the aim being to allow each Scholar the time to produce the first draft of a completed book. The Scholarships are open to anyone  writing in the English language who was born in Africa, or both of whose parents were born in Africa.

Grant

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.

Qualifications

• To qualify for the Scholarship a candidate 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, you must send clear evidence that the piece you upload as part of your application has been both published AND offered for sale. Your submission will be evaluated by a panel of readers and judges set up by the MMF.
• The work submitted will be judged purely on literary merit. It is not the purpose of the Scholarships to support academic or scientific research, or works of special interest such as religious or political  writings.
• Submissions or proposals of this nature do not qualify.

Requirement For The Miles Morland Foundation Morland Writing Scholarships

• The only condition imposed on the Scholars during the year of their Scholarship is that they must  write.
• They will be asked to submit by email at least 10,000 new words every month until they have finished their book, or their Scholarship term has ended. If the first draft of the book is completed before the year is up, payments will continue while the Scholar edits and refines their work.

Submission Guideline:

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.  Please tell us how you heard about the Morland  Writing Scholarships.

Application Deadline: 20th September, 2024.

For More Information,

Visit the Official Website