Miles Morland

Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarship: £18,000–£27,000 Grant for African Writers (Including Nigerians)

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Introduction

Writing a book takes time and time costs money. For many emerging writers in Africa, balancing creative ambition with the demands of day-to-day life can be a huge barrier. That’s where the Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarship comes in. This is not a typical academic scholarship; rather, it’s a grant designed to give African writers the breathing room to write, to craft a first draft of a full-length book in English without the constant pressure of finding a separate income.

Launched by the Miles Morland Foundation (MMF), this scholarship is one of the most respected awards in African literary circles. Over the years, it has supported up-and-coming fiction and non-fiction writers from across the continent including Nigeria helping them produce meaningful, ambitious work. In this post, I’ll break down what the scholarship is, who’s eligible, how to apply, and why it matters.

What Is the Miles Morland Foundation?

The Miles Morland Foundation is a UK-registered charity founded by British philanthropist Miles Morland. His vision: to use his resources to support African voices — specifically, writers who might not yet be established but whose talent and ideas deserve a platform. (The Miles Morland Foundation)

Through its annual Writing Scholarship, the foundation awards a grant to a small number of African writers to work on a book-length project. The idea is simple: give writers time, and they can produce something powerful. (The Miles Morland Foundation)

Scholarship Details: Grant Size, Duration, and Deliverables

Here’s a breakdown of how the scholarship works, what it requires, and what scholars are expected to deliver.

Aspect Fiction Non-Fiction
Grant Amount £18,000 over 12 months (The Miles Morland Foundation) Up to £27,000, potentially paid over as much as 18 months (scholarshipquest.co.uk)
Monthly Writing Requirement At least 10,000 words per month submitted via email (The Miles Morland Foundation) Same 10,000 words/month (The Miles Morland Foundation)
Return to Foundation Scholars are asked (non-legally) to donate 20% of any future earnings (book sales, serialisations, film rights) from the work they write during the scholarship. (The Miles Morland Foundation)
Mentorship Optional mentorship offered, usually after the writing year ends. (The Miles Morland Foundation)
Start Date Scholars can begin between January and June following the award; payments and submissions start from there. (The Miles Morland Foundation)

Who Is Eligible?

To apply for the Morland Writing Scholarship, certain criteria must be met. Here are the key eligibility requirements:

  1. African Heritage
    • Applicant must have been born in Africa or both parents born in Africa. (The Miles Morland Foundation)
    • If only one parent is African, the applicant may still qualify – but they need to show that they’ve lived in Africa for at least 9 of the last 12 months. (The Miles Morland Foundation)
  2. Previously Published Work
  3. Proposed Book Project
  4. Biographical Statement
  5. Proof of Identity / African Origin
  6. Writing Commitment
    • During the scholarship, you must deliver 10,000 new words per month via email, until the draft is completed or the scholarship ends. (Opportunities For Africans)

The Application Process

Applying is straightforward in terms of documents, but fierce in terms of competition. Here’s what you need to prepare:

  1. Excerpt: 2,000–5,000 word sample from a published work + proof of publication and sale. (The Miles Morland Foundation)
  2. Proposal: 400–1,000 words describing your new book. (The Miles Morland Foundation)
  3. Chapter Sample (if shortlisted): Shortlisted applicants are typically asked to submit a 3,000–4,000 word “chapter” from the proposed book, so get that ready. (The Miles Morland Foundation)
  4. Biography: 200–300 words. (ResearchBunny)
  5. Proof of African heritage: Official documents scanned. (The Miles Morland Foundation)
  6. How you heard about the Scholarship: Simple but required. (scholarshipquest.co.uk)

Deadline: For 2025, applications open on 1 July and close on 19 September. (scholarshipquest.co.uk)
Notification: Shortlist is announced around late October, and final results in November. (The Miles Morland Foundation)

What Does Winning the Scholarship Mean — Beyond the Money

While the cash grant (up to £27,000) is a major attraction, the Morland Writing Scholarship isn’t just about funding. Here’s why it’s a big deal:

  • Dedicated Writing Time: Winning this gives you a full year (or more, for non-fiction) to focus on your manuscript without juggling a full-time job.
  • Accountability + Discipline: With the monthly 10,000-word requirement, the scholarship encourages consistency. You’re more likely to produce a full draft.
  • Peer and Mentor Network: Scholars often get mentorship by established authors/publishers. It’s not editing, but guidance and advice. (The Miles Morland Foundation)
  • Giving Back: The 20% “debt of honour” arrangement helps the foundation support future writers. If your book is successful, you help others. (The Miles Morland Foundation)
  • Prestige: This is a well-known and highly respected award in African literary circles, which can boost your credibility when you go to find an agent or publisher. (Wikipedia)

Some Notable Past Recipients

Over the years, the scholarship has supported many emerging African writers, including Nigerians. According to the foundation’s history:

  • Akwaeke Emezi (Nigeria) received the scholarship in 2015. (The Miles Morland Foundation)
  • Elnathan John, another Nigerian writer, was awarded in 2017. (Wikipedia)
  • In 2023, Rafeeat Aliyu (Nigeria) was among the winners. (Wikipedia)

These winners represent a rich diversity of voices and project types, showing that the scholarship is open to both fiction and non-fiction and to writers at different stages of their career.

Why This Scholarship Is Especially Important for African Writers (Including Nigerians)

  1. Financial Inclusion
    Many African writers lack access to stable funding or grants. The Morland Scholarship provides a lifeline — not just money, but sustained support.
  2. Platform for Underrepresented Voices
    Writers who tackle African stories (history, identity, social issues) gain visibility and a chance to craft more nuanced works.
  3. Professional Development
    The requirement to write consistently, deliver monthly, and possibly engage with a mentor builds discipline and supports long-term growth.
  4. Sustainable Impact
    Through the “debt of honour,” successful authors contribute back, enabling the foundation to keep supporting new talent. It’s a virtuous cycle.
  5. Credibility and Networking
    Winning a prestigious award like this can open doors: agents, publishers, literary festivals, and broader readership.

Challenges & Things to Consider Before Applying

While this scholarship is highly attractive, it’s not without challenges or trade-offs:

  • High Competition: Very few applicants win; submissions are judged purely on literary merit. (The Miles Morland Foundation)
  • Pressure to Deliver: Committing to 10,000 words each month is demanding, especially if you’re working on research-heavy non-fiction or deeply personal fiction.
  • Not a Publishing Guarantee: The foundation doesn’t act as a publisher; scholars must find their own agents or publishers. (The Miles Morland Foundation)
  • “Debt of Honour”: While not legally binding, returning 20% of future earnings requires serious commitment.
  • Publication Requirement: To apply, you need a previously published excerpt (2,000–5,000 words) sold commercially. This excludes unpublished writers or those whose work isn’t yet commercially available. (The Miles Morland Foundation)
  • Timing: If you plan to start writing in January–June, applications close months before — planning is critical.

Tips for a Strong Application

Here are some practical suggestions if you’re considering applying:

  • Prepare in Advance: Because you need proof of publication and a commercial sale, make sure your previous work meets those criteria.
  • Write a Compelling Proposal: Your book proposal should be clear, original, and focused. Think about structure, themes, and what makes the book unique.
  • Draft a Chapter Sample: Even before being shortlisted, draft a strong 3,000–4,000 word chapter so you’re ready if requested.
  • Be Realistic with Timeline: Can you sustain 10,000 words/month? Be honest about your capacity and discipline.
  • Network: Reach out to previous Morland Scholars (many are open to mentorship) or to literary communities for feedback.
  • Demonstrate Commitment: In your bio and proposal, show how serious you are — not just about writing, but about completing the work.
  • Think Long-Term: If you succeed and publish, consider how you’ll “give back” as part of the 20% commitment. Think of it as part of your legacy.

Why This Scholarship Matters — A Broader Perspective

When we look at the African literary landscape, funding for writers remains uneven. While prizes and residencies exist, many of them are short-term or focused on short fiction. A full-year (or longer) grant like the Morland Scholarship is quite rare, and its design is tailored to what many writers most need: time.

Beyond that, the foundation’s model — paying scholars monthly, asking for progress reports (via word count), and gently encouraging financial payback — balances generosity with sustainability. It empowers individual authors, but it also builds a pipeline of talent. The 20% “debt of honour” is a powerful symbol: those who succeed help create opportunities for others.

For Nigerian writers, particularly, this scholarship offers a chance to join a lineage of esteemed writers who’ve used the grant as a launchpad. It’s not just about the money — it’s a vote of confidence in your vision.

Conclusion

The Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarship is more than a grant. It’s an investment in African literary voices in people who have stories to tell but need the time and resources to tell them. With £18,000 for fiction and up to £27,000 for non-fiction (depending on the project), it’s a generous, structured way to support a writer as they draft a full-length book.

If you are a Nigerian or African writer, writing in English, with a previously published extract, a big book idea, and the discipline to produce 10,000 words per month — this scholarship could change your life. It’s competitive, yes — but for those who succeed, the payoff is not just financial. It’s a platform, a community, and, perhaps, the start of a literary career.

If you’re thinking of applying, start now: gather your published work, polish your proposal, and map out how you’ll sustain a regular writing rhythm. The next Morland Scholar could be you — someone with a vision, a voice, and a story the world hasn’t heard yet.

External sources:

  • For full eligibility and application details, see the official Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarship entry requirements. (The Miles Morland Foundation)
  • For news about the 2025 scholarship round, and the grant structure, check scholarship-listing sites. (scholarshipquest.co.uk)

 

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