The Miles Morland Foundation annually awards a small number of Morland Writing Scholarships, with the aim 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.
The Miles Morland Foundation
In 2023, Miles Morland set up the foundation which bears his name. After a career investing in Africa via two companies he created, Blakeney Management and DPI (Development Partners International). Based in London, the Miles Morland Foundation (MMF) is a UK registered charity which makes grants in areas reflecting its founder’s interests. The Foundation’s main aim is to support entities in Africa which allow Africans to get their voices better heard. The Founded is particularly interested in supporting African writing and African literature.
The Foundation’s achievements
The MMF has supported literary festivals in Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda and Somaliland. It supported cultural initiatives in east, west, central and southern Africa, London’s Film Africa festival, the Caine Prize for African Writing, several African educational initiatives, and the new Rhodes scholarships for Africans. The Foundation has also supported several human rights organisations, an array of London theatres, Oxford University women’s lightweight rowing, projects in Haiti and Palestine, a literacy initiative in London’s Shoreditch, and several schemes which help recovering addicts and detained prisoners in the UK.
Scholarship award
Scholars will receive a grant of £18,000, paid monthly over the course of twelve months.
Eligibility
To be considered for this scholarship, candidates must write something about themselves and their background in 200 – 300 words. People who reach the shortlist will be asked for further information about themselves and how they propose to write their book.
Application process
To apply for this scholarship, candidates must complete the following:
- 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.
- 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.
Submissions and proposals that do not qualify:
- Academic or scientific research.
- Works of special interest such as religious or political writings.
Note: Scholars writing non-fiction, who require additional research time, could receive an additional grant, paid over a period of up to eighteen months.
Application deadline
Applications will not be received after 20th September 2024.
Visit The Miles Morland Foundation website for more details.
