Miles Morland Writing Scholarships 2026

The Miles Morland Writing Scholarships 2026 support emerging writers of African heritage to complete the first draft of a full-length book in English.

What it offers

• £18,000 grant paid monthly over twelve months.
• Non-fiction writers may receive an additional grant paid over up to eighteen months at the Foundation’s discretion.
• Each Scholar must submit 10,000 new words every month until the draft is complete or the term ends.
• Scholars are asked to donate 20% of subsequent book revenues (including film, serialisation, and ancillary rights) as a debt of honour.

Who can apply

• Anyone writing in English who was born in Africa, or both of whose parents were born in Africa.
• Candidates must provide proof of publication and sale for a submitted excerpt.

What you'll do

• Write a full-length book of no fewer than 80,000 words.
• Submit a 400–1,000 word proposal for a new work (not a work in progress).
• Provide 10,000 new words each month during the scholarship period.
• If shortlisted, submit a 3,000–4,000 word chapter within 15 days of notification at the end of October.

How to apply

• Submit between 1 July 2026 and 22 September 2026.
• Include:
  • A 2,000–5,000 word excerpt as a Word document, with proof of publication and sale.
  • A 400–1,000 word book proposal.
  • A scan of an official document proving African birth (self or both parents).
  • A 200–300 word biography.
  • A note on how you heard about the scholarship.
• Apply via the ‘Morland Writing Scholarship Application’ link on the website.

Good to know

• The scholarship is not residential; living arrangements are at the Scholar’s discretion.
• Mentorship may be offered after the book is finished, with costs covered by the Foundation.
• The Foundation does not act as editor or publisher; Scholars must find their own agents and publishers.
• Poetry, plays, film scripts, children’s books, and short story collections do not qualify.