Tejumola Olaniyan Creative Writers-in-Residence Fellowship

Introduction to the Tejumola Olaniyan Creative Writers-in-Residence Fellowship

The Africa Institute, under its African Languages and Translation Program, is now accepting applications for the third cohort of the Tejumola Olaniyan Creative Writers-in-Residence Fellowship for the academic year 2024. This fellowship commemorates the late Nigerian Professor Tejumola Olaniyan and his substantial contributions to African literature and critical theory.

Fellowship Details

The program invites creative writers from various genres—novelists, short story writers, playwrights, poets, and scriptwriters—who focus on Africa and the African diaspora. Successful candidates will receive a grant totaling 45,000 AED. They will spend three months in Sharjah, UAE, to complete their projects, which can be in Arabic, English, or other languages subject to consideration. The fellowship typically starts in the fall each year.

Publishing Opportunities

Fellows have the chance to publish their works through The Africa Institute’s publications program. The program also supports the publishing of theatre and film scripts as texts or helps facilitate productions. All projects, whether new or works-in-progress, should be feasible for completion within the three-month residency.

Application Requirements

The selection process involves a review by a committee of well-known writers. Candidates must submit a CV/résumé, a two-page narrative of the proposed project, and a sample of published or unpublished writings. The deadline for applications is Saturday, 1 June 2024.

Submission Guidelines

Applicants should compile all materials into one PDF file in the following order: CV/résumé, project narrative, and writing sample. Name the file using the format: TOCWRP_LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME. Email the PDF to applications@theafricainstitute.org with the same file name as the subject heading.

About Professor Tejumola Olaniyan

Professor Tejumola Olaniyan was an esteemed academic known for his research on Africa and its diaspora, including African Americans, the Caribbean, and African literatures. His works include notable publications and contributions to various fields of study.