Deadline: March 1, 2026
The Africa Institute Tejumola Olaniyan Creative Writers-in-Residence Fellowship 2026 is a prestigious, fully funded creative writing residency designed to support writers whose work engages with Africa and the African diaspora. This fellowship honours the intellectual and cultural legacy of renowned Nigerian scholar Tejumola Olaniyan and provides selected fellows with the time, space, and resources to advance a major creative project.
This opportunity is open to both emerging and established writers and offers a unique chance to work in an intellectually vibrant environment while contributing to Africa-centred literary and cultural discourse.
Fellowship Overview
The Africa Institute Tejumola Olaniyan Creative Writers-in-Residence Fellowship 2026 is a three-month residency hosted by The Africa Institute in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. The fellowship is designed to support original creative work across a wide range of literary and artistic forms, with a strong emphasis on Africa and the African diaspora.
Fellows are expected to focus on completing or significantly advancing a major creative project during the residency period.
Fellowship Benefits and Funding
The fellowship is fully funded, with a total value of 50,000 AED, which covers:
- Accommodation throughout the residency period
- Return airfare
- Visa costs
- A monthly stipend of 10,000 AED for the three-month duration
In addition to financial support, fellows benefit from a dedicated creative environment that encourages research, reflection, and production.
Residency Duration and Location
- Duration: 3 months
- Location: Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Sharjah offers a rich cultural and literary setting, providing fellows with access to intellectual communities and institutional resources that support creative and scholarly work.
Eligible Creative Fields
Applications are open to creative writers working in, but not limited to, the following forms:
- Fiction and novels
- Poetry
- Playwriting
- Short stories
- Screenwriting and film scripts
- Creative non-fiction, memoirs, and essays
The fellowship also supports theatre and film scripts, with selected works potentially considered for production.
Who Can Apply
The fellowship is open to:
- Creative writers whose work engages with Africa or the African diaspora
- Both emerging and established writers
- Applicants currently working on a major creative project, such as a novel, poetry collection, memoir, full play, or film script
- Writers with at least one published work, including books, journals, or reputable online publications
Applicants are expected to demonstrate a strong commitment to literary practice and cultural contribution.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be assessed based on:
- The quality and originality of the applicant’s creative work
- The significance of the proposed project and its relevance to Africa or the African diaspora
- Evidence of prior publication or recognised creative output
- A clear and realistic plan for completing or advancing the project during the residency
- Innovation, originality, and contribution to literary and cultural conversations
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the following documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or résumé
- One-page cover letter explaining motivation for applying
- Two-page project statement, including:
- A detailed description of the proposed project
- Its significance and intended impact
- A clear timeline for completion
- An explanation of how the writing sample relates to the proposed project
- One published writing sample or representative creative work
All applications must be submitted through the official online application platform.
Application Deadline
- Deadline: Sunday, 1 March 2026
Late submissions will not be considered, so applicants are encouraged to prepare and submit their materials well in advance.
Why Apply for the Africa Institute Tejumola Olaniyan Creative Writers-in-Residence Fellowship 2026
The Africa Institute Tejumola Olaniyan Creative Writers-in-Residence Fellowship 2026 offers more than funding—it provides dedicated time, international exposure, institutional support, and an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to Africa-focused creative scholarship. It is an ideal opportunity for writers seeking space to deepen their work and expand their creative impact.
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