The Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarship 2026 is now accepting applications from African writers who want financial support to write a new full-length book in English.
The scholarship is designed to give promising African writers the financial freedom and time needed to complete a new work of fiction or non-fiction. Successful scholars will receive a grant of £18,000, paid monthly over 12 months. In exceptional cases, non-fiction writers who require additional research time may receive additional funding for a scholarship period of up to 18 months.
Unlike many scholarship opportunities listed on Scholarship Tips, this programme is not intended for undergraduate or postgraduate students. It is specifically aimed at writers who already have a piece of prose that has been published and offered for sale and who are proposing to write a completely new book.
Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarship 2026 Details
Organiser: Miles Morland Foundation
Eligible Applicants: African writers
Writing Language: English
Eligible Work: Adult fiction or non-fiction
Scholarship Grant: £18,000
Payment Duration: 12 months
Possible Non-Fiction Extension: Up to 18 months
Age Requirement: No age restriction
Application Fee: Free
About the Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarship
The Miles Morland Foundation (MMF) established its annual Writing Scholarship to support African writers who need time and financial freedom to produce a completed book.
The Foundation is particularly interested in supporting African writing and African literature and aims to help African voices reach wider audiences.
The scholarship is intended to support the writing of a completely new book, rather than helping an applicant finish a book that has already been started. The proposed book must be a full-length work of at least 80,000 words.
The Foundation welcomes proposals for both fiction and non-fiction. However, certain forms of writing, including poetry, plays, film scripts, children's books and short story collections, are not eligible under the scholarship requirements.
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Who Can Apply?
The Miles Morland Writing Scholarship is open to writers who meet the Foundation's African eligibility requirements.
Applicants must:
- Write in English.
- Have been born in Africa, or have both parents born in Africa.
- Have previously published a piece of prose that was offered for sale.
- Provide evidence that the published work was both published and commercially available.
- Submit a proposal for a completely new full-length book.
- Submit an extract from their previously published work for assessment.
There is no age restriction for applicants.
The Foundation also has a specific exception for some applicants who were not born in Africa. Where an applicant was not born in Africa but only one parent was born there, they can qualify if they can provide documentary evidence that they are a full-time resident in Africa, defined by the Foundation as having spent at least nine of the previous 12 months in Africa.
What Type of Writing Qualifies?
The scholarship is intended for adult fiction and non-fiction.
Applicants cannot use the scholarship to propose:
- Poetry
- Plays
- Film scripts
- Children's books
- Short story collections
- Academic or scientific research
- Works of special interest such as religious or political writings
The Foundation states that the submitted published work will be judged solely on literary merit.
Scholarship Benefits
Successful Miles Morland Writing Scholars will receive:
£18,000 Writing Grant
Fiction scholars will receive a grant of £18,000, paid monthly over a period of 12 months.
Possible Additional Support for Non-Fiction Writers
The Foundation recognises that non-fiction writers may require additional time for research. At its discretion, the Foundation may provide an additional grant and extend the scholarship period to up to 18 months.
Time to Write a New Book
The scholarship is designed to reduce the financial pressure of writing while earning a living, giving successful applicants dedicated time to produce the first draft of a completed book.
Possible Mentorship
The Foundation may offer scholars the opportunity to be mentored by an established author or publisher. In most cases, this mentorship begins after the book has been completed and the scholarship period has ended.
The MMF does not intend to act as the scholar's editor or publisher. Writers are expected to find their own agents and publishers, although the Foundation may provide advice.
Application Requirements
Applicants must prepare several documents before starting the application.
1. Previously Published Writing Sample
Applicants must submit a 2,000–5,000-word extract from one piece of previously published work.
The work must:
- Be written in English.
- Be prose.
- Have been published.
- Have been offered for sale.
- Be submitted as a Word document.
The Foundation will not accept a piece that was only published somewhere for free. Its FAQ states that publication in a free blog, magazine or similar platform does not meet the requirement. Publication in a book, journal or magazine that was offered for sale is acceptable, and Kindle publication is specifically recognised as an eligible online form.
2. Proof of Publication and Sale
Applicants must provide evidence showing that the submitted work was both published and offered for sale.
This is an important requirement, as an applicant whose work has never been commercially available will not meet the Foundation's eligibility criteria.
3. New Book Proposal
Applicants must provide a 400–1,000-word description of the new book they intend to write during the scholarship period.
The proposed work must be a completely new book and should be at least 80,000 words in its completed form.
4. Proof of African Background
Applicants must provide an official document proving that they were born in Africa or that both parents were born in Africa.
The Foundation's application form accepts documentary proof of the applicant's or parents' place of birth.
5. Author Biography
Applicants must submit a brief biography of between 200 and 300 words.
The Foundation specifically asks for a biography rather than a conventional job-application CV or résumé.
6. AI Attestation
For the 2026 application, applicants are required to submit a signed attestation confirming that AI has not been used in any way in the composition or preparation of their submission or book proposal.
The attestation must be signed with the applicant's full name and uploaded with the application.
Applicants should therefore pay particular attention to this requirement before submitting their materials.
What Happens After Applying?
Applications are reviewed by the Foundation's readers and judges, with the submitted writing assessed primarily on literary merit.
Applicants who make the shortlist will be asked to provide additional information about their personal circumstances and writing plans. Shortlisted writers are also required to submit a 3,000–4,000-word sample chapter from the new book they are proposing to write.
The Foundation says shortlisted writers will be notified around the end of October, with the 2026 winners announced in November 2026.
Scholarship Requirements After Selection
Winning the scholarship comes with an important writing commitment.
Scholars are required to submit at least 10,000 new words every month to the Foundation until they complete their book or their scholarship period ends.
If a scholar completes the first draft before the end of the scholarship year, payments continue while the writer edits and refines the work.
Scholars are also asked to give the Foundation 20% of whatever they subsequently receive from the book written during the scholarship period, including income from film rights, serialisation or other related revenue. The Foundation describes this as a debt of honour rather than a legally binding obligation.
How to Apply
Interested writers should apply online through the official Miles Morland Foundation application form.
Step 1: Prepare Your Published Work
Select one piece of previously published prose between 2,000 and 5,000 words.
Make sure the work was actually offered for sale and that you can provide evidence.
Step 2: Prepare Your New Book Proposal
Write a 400–1,000-word description of the completely new book you intend to write.
Step 3: Prepare Your Supporting Documents
Prepare your proof of publication and sale, proof of African background, 200–300-word biography and signed AI attestation.
Step 4: Complete the Online Form
Visit the official Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarship application page:
CLICK HERE TO APPLY JOIN WHATSAPP FOR MORE
Step 5: Submit Before the Deadline
Review all documents carefully and submit the completed application before the closing date.
Application Deadline
Applications for the 2026 Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarship are being accepted from July 1, 2026 until September 22, 2026.
Applications submitted outside the stated application period will not be considered.
Important Information for Applicants
This opportunity is not a general scholarship for students. It is specifically for writers who already have qualifying published work and want to dedicate time to writing a new full-length book.
Applicants should also understand that simply having written a book or having material published online does not automatically satisfy the requirements. The Foundation requires evidence that the submitted work was published and offered for sale.
The proposed book must also be a genuinely new project. A book that has already been started or is currently being reviewed by a publisher does not qualify.
Important Scholarship Safety Alert
Applicants should be careful when applying for scholarships, grants and writing opportunities online.
Do not provide your BVN on scholarship application forms.
Also avoid anyone who asks you to make payment in order to:
- Submit your application.
- Get shortlisted.
- Guarantee selection.
- Receive the scholarship.
- Process your grant.
- Obtain a certificate.
Never share your ATM PIN, OTP, bank password, internet banking login details or card security information with anyone claiming to represent the Miles Morland Foundation.
Always use the Foundation's official website and application form when submitting your application.
Conclusion
The Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarship 2026 is a valuable opportunity for African writers who have already demonstrated their ability through published and commercially available work.
Successful fiction scholars will receive a £18,000 grant over 12 months, while eligible non-fiction writers may receive additional support for a period of up to 18 months at the Foundation's discretion.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate an African connection, submit a 2,000–5,000-word extract from previously published work, provide proof that the work was published and offered for sale, and submit a proposal for a completely new book of at least 80,000 words.
Applications close on September 22, 2026, and interested writers should carefully review the Foundation's requirements before submitting their applications.
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