Morland African Writing Scholarship Application Form opening 1 July closing Sept 19 2025 apply now!!
Every once in a while, something very remarkable happens in the world of literature. Not a bestseller. Not a Netflix adaptation. But something not too common—someone, somewhere, dares to believe in the raw, chaotic, pulsating power of African storytelling. That someone is the Miles Morland Foundation. And their offering? The Morland African Writing Scholarship—a dream disguised as a grant, a lifeline to aspiring writers across the continent.
You’ve probably heard whispers about it. Maybe you’ve scrolled past it in a Telegram group. Perhaps it landed in your inbox through a friend of a friend who knows a friend in publishing. But this is no ordinary “opportunity.” This is a door to the wilderness of your imagination. Wide open. Waiting. The only thing standing in your way? The application form—your key to literary freedom.
This blog post is not just a breakdown of the application process. It’s a full-blown survival guide for writers bold enough to throw their hat into the ring. If you’re a fiction warrior or a non-fiction truth-digger with African blood and ink-stained hands, read this slowly. Then reread it and take the bold step in bettering your life.
What is the Morland African Writing Scholarship?
Let’s start wild and simple: the Morland African Writing Scholarship pays you to write. That’s it. No fine print. No confusing obligations. If you’re selected, the Miles Morland Foundation (MMF) gives you money every month so that you can stay off the hamster wheel of day jobs and write.
The scholarship offers:
- £18,000 (eighteen thousand British pounds) for fiction writers over twelve months.
- £27,000 (twenty-seven thousand British pounds) for non-fiction writers, spread across up to eighteen months.
These funds are distributed monthly and come with one beautiful condition: you must submit 10,000 new words of your work every month.
Why Does This Scholarship Exist?
Because writing is brutal when you’re broke.
The Morland Writing Scholarships exist because too many great African stories die in the heads of people who simply don’t have the time or money to write them down. The Miles Morland Foundation wants to reverse that reality.
The MMF doesn’t just love African literature—they believe in it. They’re betting thousands of pounds every year that somewhere on the continent, someone is about to write the next Things Fall Apart, Stay With Me, or Born A Crime—and they want to make sure nothing gets in your way while you do it.
Who Can Apply?
Now we get to the spicy part. The part where the dream meets the requirements.
✔ You can apply if:
- You were born in Africa, have a parent from Africa, or hold citizenship in an African country.
- You write in English (sorry, the scholarship is only available for English-language projects).
- You have a track record of writing, preferably published work, even if it’s just in a literary journal or an online platform with real substance.
- You’re ready to write 10,000 words every month.
- You have a specific book project in mind. This isn’t a scholarship for blogging or poetry—it’s for writing a full-length book.
What Kind of Writing Is Accepted?
The Morland Scholarship covers two categories:
1. Fiction
This includes novels and short story collections. Think mystery, romance, historical, speculative, literary, etc.—as long as it’s fiction and high quality.
2. Non-Fiction
This includes memoirs, investigative journalism, biographies, essays that form a book, and so on. If it’s about the real world and it’s going to shake people up, you’re in the right lane.
How to Apply for the Morland Writing Scholarship
Let’s go step by step through the process so you don’t fumble at the line.
🧾 1. Application Form
This is the official starting point. When the scholarship is open, the Morland Foundation will publish a clear application form on its website. Fill it honestly and thoughtfully. Provide accurate contact details and choose whether you’re applying for fiction or non-fiction.
The 2025 application form will be available on the Miles Morland Foundation website:
https://milesmorlandfoundation.com/
Don’t rush this form. Don’t treat it like an Uber Eats order. Triple-check everything. You are entering a literary gladiator ring.
📎 2. A Sample of Your Work (2,000 – 5,000 words)
This is your sword. Your calling card. Your audition. Submit a published piece of work. It should:
- Be in English.
- Be original.
- Be your absolute best writing. Don’t send your first drafts. Don’t send something you wrote under pressure in 2016. Send something that howls.
📚 3. A 500-word Proposal
This is where you pitch your book project. Think of it as a back-cover blurb on steroids. Explain:
- What will your book be about?
- Why the world needs this book.
- Why are you the right person to write it?
Make it compelling. Make it unignorable.
📄 4. A Brief Bio
This isn’t a LinkedIn summary. It’s your literary DNA. Talk about:
- Your writing background.
- Any publications or awards?
- Your literary goals.
Keep it short—around 200 words—but make every word burn.
Important Dates
Deadline: The 2025 Morland African Writing Scholarship application deadline will likely be around September 18, 2025, based on previous years.
Application Window Opens: Mid-July.
Results Announced: December 2025.
That gives you a short but potent window to get your act together and make your application bulletproof. Don’t wait until the deadline week. Start preparing now.
Selection Process
You won’t just be throwing your application into a black hole. The MMF has a robust selection panel of seasoned writers, editors, and literary experts who will read your work.
They will assess:
- Originality
- Literary merit
- Clarity of your proposal
- Feasibility of your project
- Your ability to deliver 10,000 words a month
Make no mistake: the competition is fierce. But that’s no reason not to shoot your shot.
Pro Tips for Winning Applicants
- Start writing your sample early. Don’t wait until the deadline to panic. Begin polishing your piece now.
- Write a powerful proposal. Don’t just describe the story—sell it. Think like a publisher. Why should someone invest £18,000 in this idea?
- Make sure your sample and proposal match. If you’re applying with a crime novel proposal, don’t submit a sample of travel writing. Show you can execute the idea you’re pitching.
- Respect the deadline. Once it’s closed, it’s closed. The MMF doesn’t do grace periods.
- Use your authentic voice. The MMF isn’t looking for pretentious writing. They want clarity, fire, and realness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I apply if I don’t have a book published yet?
A: Yes. As long as you have a published writing sample (even a short story in a journal), you’re eligible.
Q: Can I write in French or another language?
A: No. The Morland Scholarship is strictly for works written in English.
Q: Can I apply with poetry?
A: No. The scholarship is for long-form prose: fiction or non-fiction.
Q: What happens if I don’t meet the 10,000 words/month requirement?
A: You risk losing the scholarship. It’s a strict rule. Deadlines matter.
Q: Do I need a university degree?
A: No. This is about writing skills, not academic background.
Where to Apply and Get More Info
All applications must be submitted through the official Morland Foundation website:
https://milesmorlandfoundation.com/
That’s your starting line. Bookmark it. Visit often. When the application portal opens, you’ll find the form and detailed instructions there.
Final Words: Why You Must Apply
If you’re an African writer and you’ve been waiting for “the right time,” this is it. There is no editor, no publisher, no agent standing in your way. Just you, your story, and a form. That’s what makes this wild and beautiful.
You don’t have to win to be a writer. But submitting your application could be the first real declaration of war against procrastination, self-doubt, and creative silence.
And who knows? You might just be one of the four brave souls to win this year.
So, go on.
Write like the continent is watching.
Because maybe… it is.
🔗 Helpful Links:
- Official Website: https://milesmorlandfoundation.com/
- Past Winners and FAQs: https://milesmorlandfoundation.com/scholarship-winners/
- Contact: https://milesmorlandfoundation.com/contact-us/
