Are you an African writer with a book idea but need the time and financial support to complete it? The Morland African Writing Scholarship 2026 could be an opportunity worth considering. The scholarship, officially known as the Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarship, supports African writers who want to dedicate time to producing the first draft of a full-length book. Applications for the 2026 scholarship are open from 1 July to 22 September 2026, and applications submitted outside this period will not be considered.
Who Can Apply for the Morland Writing Scholarship?
The scholarship is open to writers who write in English and were born in Africa, or whose parents were both born in Africa. Applicants can propose a fiction or non-fiction book. Although a proposed book does not have to be about Africa or set in Africa, the Foundation states that projects connected to Africa are likely to be preferred by the judges. Poetry, plays, film scripts, children’s books and short-story collections are not eligible.
Scholarship Value
Successful applicants receive a £18,000 grant, paid in monthly installments over 12 months, allowing them to focus on writing their book. Non-fiction writers who require additional research time may, at the Foundation’s discretion, receive an extension of up to 18 months, bringing the total grant to £27,000.
Scholar Responsibilities
Successful applicants must agree to the Miles Morland Foundation’s Scholars’ Undertaking. This includes:
- Writing at least 10,000 new words each month during the scholarship period.
- Submitting monthly writing progress to the Foundation.
- Dedicating sufficient time to completing the proposed book.
- Donating 20% of any income earned from the scholarship-supported book back to the Foundation. This is regarded as a debt of honour, not a legally binding obligation.
These commitments help ensure scholars complete their manuscripts while supporting the continuation of the programme for future African writers.
What Do You Need to Submit?
Applicants must prepare the required materials before completing the online application. The official application checklist includes six items:
1. A 2,000 to 5,000-word published writing sample
You must submit a Word document containing between 2,000 and 5,000 words of work that has already been published and offered for sale. This could be an excerpt from a book or another eligible publication.
Simply posting your work on a free blog or website is not enough. You must be able to show that the work was both published and offered for sale. The Foundation also states that Kindle publication is acceptable as an online publication platform.
2. Proof of publication and sale
Your writing sample must be supported by evidence showing where it was published and that it was offered for sale. Applicants should ensure that their proof clearly relates to the exact work submitted.
3. Proof of African birth or parentage
You must provide a scan of an official document showing that you were born in Africa or that both of your parents were born in Africa. An official passport information page or another acceptable official document may be used.
4. A description of your proposed book
Applicants must submit a 400 to 1,000-word description of the new book they intend to write. This is an important part of the application because it gives the judges an understanding of the proposed project, its direction and its literary potential. The Foundation’s requirements state that the proposal should be for a full-length book of at least 80,000 words.
5. A brief biography
You will also need to submit a short biography of between 200 and 300 words. This should introduce you as a writer and provide relevant information about your background and writing experience.
6. How you heard about the scholarship
The application form also asks applicants to state how they heard about the Morland Writing Scholarships.
How to Apply
The application is submitted online through the official Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarship application form. Before submitting, applicants should carefully check that all required documents are included and that their writing sample meets the word-count and publication requirements.
The Foundation says applications will be accepted from 1 July 2026 until 22 September 2026. The shortlist and winners are expected to be announced in November 2026.
What Happens After Selection?
The scholarship is intended to give writers the time to work on a full-length book. Scholars are required to produce new writing during the scholarship period and submit at least 10,000 new words each month until the book is completed or the scholarship period ends. If the first draft is completed early, payments may continue while the writer edits and refines the work.
The Foundation also offers scholars the opportunity to be mentored by an established author or publisher. However, the scholarship is not a residential programme, and scholars are responsible for finding their own agents and publishers.
Final Tips for Applicants
Before applying, make sure your published writing sample represents your strongest work. The Foundation says submissions are judged on literary merit, so applicants should focus on the quality of their writing rather than simply submitting a piece because it has been published.
It is also important to read the official requirements carefully, prepare your proof of publication and sale, and submit every required document before the deadline.
Interested writers can find the full requirements and submit their application through the official Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarship application form.
Written by Favour Akinyeye
An 88Lately Staff Writer
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