Overview
Apply for the WRITEABILITY® Fellows Program 2027–2028, a fully funded year-long fellowship for developing African American, African, Black, and Native American writers. Deadline: October 30, 2026, or earlier if 30 applications are received.
Complete scholarship details
The WRITEABILITY® Fellows Program 2027–2028 is now open for applications. The deadline is October 30, 2026, or earlier if WRITEABILITY® receives 30 applications first.
This year-long fellowship supports developing prose writers who identify as African American, African, Black, or Native American/Alaska Native. Up to five Fellows will join a one-week residency in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, followed by weekly online programming and mentorship through April 2028.
Application Deadline:
30 October 2026 (Note: Applications opened on October 1, 2026, and will close automatically when 30 applications are received or on October 30, 2026, whichever comes first).
Tell Me About The Program:
The WRITEABILITY® Fellows Program is a prestigious, year-long initiative designed to support developing prose writers by providing a robust network of community, craft support, resources, and dedicated time to write. Sponsored by a generous donor, the inaugural 2027–2028 fellowship season selects up to five writers to participate in an immersive annual residency at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, followed by year-long online peer accountability and mentorship.
Which Fields are Eligible:
Prose Writing (Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, Memoir, Novel/Story Writing).
Type:
Fully Funded Writing Residency & Year-Long Professional Fellowship
Who can Apply:
Demographics: Must identify as African American, African, Black, or Native American/Alaska Native .
Experience Restrictions:
Must never have attended a writing residency before.
Must never have published a book (including self-published works).
Must never have earned a graduate-level degree in any genre of creative writing (MFA or equivalent).
Previous Awards: Must not currently be benefiting from a 2026–27 WRITEABILITY® scholarship (past recipients of WRITEABILITY® scholarships are eligible) .
Availability:
Must be available to attend the entire annual WRITEABILITY® Residency in-person from May 3 – 9, 2027 .
Must be available for live Zoom sessions on Thursdays from 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM ET between May 6, 2027, and April 13, 2028 (80% attendance required; December and July are off).
International Applicants: Eligible to apply, but note that WRITEABILITY® cannot provide visa support or advice , and international applicants will receive an additional set of questions to verify travel feasibility to/from the United States.
How are Applicants Selected:
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis (capped at the first 30 submissions) by the WRITEABILITY® team and Board based on demonstrated dedication to prose writing, regular writing practice, and responsiveness to narrative application questions and writing samples.
Which Countries Are Eligible:
Global (International applicants are welcome provided they can independently secure travel/visas to the United States).
Where will the Program be Taken:
In-Person Residency: Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, USA .
Online Component: Weekly virtual meetings via Zoom.
How Many Fellows:
Up to 5 Fellows selected for the 2027–2028 cohort.
What is the Benefit of the Program:
Residency Funding: Up to $1,500 awarded toward attendance at the annual WRITEABILITY® Residency (covering registration, meals, housing, and program experiences), leaving approximately $600 as optional reimbursement for travel to Gatlinburg, TN.
Sustaining Circle Membership: Annual membership to the online Sustaining Circle (valued at $804), providing peer accountability and weekly craft support.
Dedicated Mentorship: Up to 4 one-on-one meetings per year with a mentor from the WRITEABILITY® Guild or Board.
Public Readings: Opportunities to perform formal readings of work-in-progress both in-person at the residency and online at the conclusion of the fellowship.
How Long Will it Last:
One full year of programming, beginning May 3, 2027 and continuing through April 13, 2028 (including the one-week May residency and weekly Thursday sessions).
How to Apply:
Review the eligibility requirements and prepare your narrative application responses and prose writing sample.
Complete the online application form early via the official website before the cap of 30 applications is reached or before the 30 October 2026 deadline.
International applicants: Watch for additional travel-feasibility questions sent following submission.
👉 Visit the official fellowship page for details
Tips for this scholarship
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