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Top 34 Creative Writing Scholarships in April 2024

Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman is a content editor and writer at Scholarships360. He has managed communications and written content for a diverse array of organizations, including a farmer’s market, a concert venue, a student farm, an environmental NGO, and a PR agency. Gabriel graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in sociology.

Learn about our editorial policies

These creative writing scholarships are the best way to work on your writing without breaking the bank. Whether you want to study fiction, non-fiction, or poetry writing, we’ve got your back with these vetted opportunities. Remember to apply early and often to creative writing scholarships, because you never know which application reviewer your writing will stand out to!

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The Scholarships360 Research Team reviews all scholarships individually and strives to exclude any scholarship where any of the below applies:

• The scholarship requires a fee to apply
• The scholarship provider’s privacy policy allows for the misuse of student data
• The scholarship requires paid membership in an organization (with certain exceptions for reputable trade organizations and others)
• Student are required to sign up for a site or service to apply*
• The scholarship seems primarily used for lead generation** or idea harvesting purposes***
• The scholarship website has many grammatical errors and/or advertisements
• The scholarship or scholarship providing organization seem untrustworthy
• There is no evidence the scholarship was previously awarded
• The scholarship has not been awarded in the past 12 months
• There is no available contact information

If you believe a scholarship has been published in error, please reach out to [email protected] and we’ll take a look!

* There are certain exceptions to this, for example if the sponsoring organization is a major corporation or nonprofit with its own scholarship application system. ** Lead generation scholarships will require students to sign up for an app or website and require minimal (if any) application requirements. ***Idea harvesting scholarships will require students to submit blog posts or other materials that companies may use for marketing purposes.

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$2,000 Sallie Mae Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Sallie Mae

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for…

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for school.

“Pen to Paper” Scholarship for Storytellers This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Do you fancy yourself a wordsmith? If you value creative writing as a form of communication, we encourage you to apply for the Pen to… Show More

Do you fancy yourself a wordsmith? If you value creative writing as a form of communication, we encourage you to apply for the Pen to Paper Scholarship for Storytellers! This scholarship is open to high school juniors and seniors (graduating class of 2024 or 2025), undergraduate, and graduate students who enjoy crafting stories and expressing ideas through the arrangement of words on paper. Whether you’re interested in poetry, short stories, novels, or screenplays, we want to hear from you. To apply for this scholarship, students must submit a 250-word piece of original creative writing. See the “Application Information” section below for details regarding essay prompts. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. Happy writing! Show Less

$40,000 Build a College List Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by The College Board

Create a college list with six schools you're considering - no minimum GPA or essay required!

Rover Scholarship

Offered by Rover

Do you have a beloved pet that has made a difference in your life? Each year, the Rover Scholarship awards $2,500 to the high school… Show More

Do you have a beloved pet that has made a difference in your life? Each year, the Rover Scholarship awards $2,500 to the high school senior or university student who writes the most thoughtful essay about how a pet has shaped who they are today. If you love your pet and want to put those feelings (and most cherished memories) into writing, we would encourage you to apply to this amazing op-paw-tunity! Show Less

Niche $25,000 “No Essay” Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Niche

Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year!

Francis D. Lyon Graduate Fellowship For Film Students

Offered by Phi Delta Theta Foundation

Lights, camera, action! The Francis D. Lyon Graduate Fellowship for Film Students is the ultimate opportunity for graduate students in the film industry or related… Show More

Lights, camera, action! The Francis D. Lyon Graduate Fellowship for Film Students is the ultimate opportunity for graduate students in the film industry or related fields such as theater/drama, writing, or entertainment. This prestigious award is given annually to one lucky recipient who will receive financial support to further their education and career. Don't miss out on this chance to shine in the spotlight! Phi Delta Theta membership is not required, so all eligible graduate students are encouraged to apply. Show Less

Phyliss J. McCarthy Scholarship for Excellence in Writing

Offered by Learncurious.com

Are you a high school junior or senior with a love for creative writing? If so, consider applying for the Phyliss J. McCarthy Scholarship for… Show More

Are you a high school junior or senior with a love for creative writing? If so, consider applying for the Phyliss J. McCarthy Scholarship for Excellence in Writing! Each year, the scholarship awards up to $1,000 to the three applicants who submit the best responses to one of the "Narrative", "Meta", or "Wacky" prompts. As these prompts change each year, we recommend checking out the Learncurious.com website before applying. If you're a college-bound, high school upperclassman with a love for writing, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

$25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Bold.org

Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

HSLDA Contests

Offered by Home School Legal Defense Association

The HSLDA Contests are funded by the Home School Legal Defense Association, an organization dedicated to protecting parents' rights to homeschooling and providing homeschooling families… Show More

The HSLDA Contests are funded by the Home School Legal Defense Association, an organization dedicated to protecting parents' rights to homeschooling and providing homeschooling families with the necessary resources. Each year, the Home School Legal Defense Association Contests award scholarships of varying amounts to multiple homeschooled students aged 7-19 (2nd graders through high school seniors) who create and submit original pieces of artwork, videos, or writing. The contests are split into six types: Poetry, Video, Photo, Short Story, Art, and Essay. Each year, the Poetry and Video Contests run from February 1 - April 1, the Photo and Short Story Contests run from June 1 - August 1, and the Art and Essay Contests run from October 1 - December 1. If this scholarship sounds like a fit for you, keep on reading for more application details! Show Less

Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

Offered by Alliance for Young Artists & Writers

Are you a middle or high school student with a love for creative writing or artwork? If so, consider applying for the Scholastic Art &… Show More

Are you a middle or high school student with a love for creative writing or artwork? If so, consider applying for the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards! The contest is broken up into 28 separate categories/competitions, each with its own age requirements and prompts. Winners will receive between $500 and $12,500, depending on the category. The awards are offered by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, a nonprofit organization with a mission to “identify students with exceptional artistic and literary talent and present their remarkable work to the world through the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.”  If you’re a middle or high school student who’s been wanting to put their creative skills to work, this may be a great opportunity for you. We encourage you to apply! Show Less

$10,000 CollegeXpress Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by CollegeXpress

Annual $10k scholarship from CollegeXpress open to all high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.

Women Leading Kentucky Undergraduate Scholarship

Offered by Women Leading Kentucky

Are you a female undergraduate student from Kentucky attending an in-state university? Further, are you majoring in Sports, Media, Engineering, Finance, Banking, Literature, Creative Writing,… Show More

Are you a female undergraduate student from Kentucky attending an in-state university? Further, are you majoring in Sports, Media, Engineering, Finance, Banking, Literature, Creative Writing, or Journalism? If so, you may be eligible for the Women Leading Kentucky Undergraduate Scholarship! Each year, the scholarship awards between $1,000 and $1,500 to female undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional leadership and are attending a Kentucky college/university. If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

Walgreens Expressions Challenge This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Expressions by Walgreens

Are you a high school student in the U.S. passionate about any social or societal issue? Further, would you be interested in sharing your thoughts… Show More

Are you a high school student in the U.S. passionate about any social or societal issue? Further, would you be interested in sharing your thoughts on such matters through art? If so, consider applying for the Walgreens Expressions Challenge! The Challenge invites high school students to submit art in one of four categories (Spoken Word, Visual Arts, Media Art, or Creative Writing) on a social or societal topic they feel strongly about. Possible topic ideas include: the impact of social media, cyber bullying, mental health, gun violence, social justice, etc. If you're a high schooler passionate about art and using it for the greater good, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

$1,000 Appily Easy College Money Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Appily

This easy scholarship from Appily is open to U.S. high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027) and college transfer students. One scholarship will be… Show More

This easy scholarship from Appily is open to U.S. high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027) and college transfer students. One scholarship will be awarded each month. Show Less

Alyssa Sandmeier Foundation Creative Writing Scholarship Competition

Offered by Alyssa Sandmeier Foundation

Are you a college-bound, Nebraskan high school senior with a passion for creative writing? If so, consider applying for the Alyssa Sandmeier Foundation Creative Writing… Show More

Are you a college-bound, Nebraskan high school senior with a passion for creative writing? If so, consider applying for the Alyssa Sandmeier Foundation Creative Writing Scholarship Competition! Each year, the scholarship awards $1,000 to the applicant who submit the best original piece of creative writing. Acceptable forms include, but are not limited to, poetry or song lyrics, short fiction, play/movie/television scripts, speeches, memories or diary entries, biographies, or personal essays. The scholarship was created in honor of Alyssa Sandmeier, a young girl whose passion for writing inspired her to write even while battling Leukemia complications. If you're a college-bound, Nebraskan high school senior with a passion for creative writing, we encourage you to apply. Keep on reading to learn more and carry on Alyssa's legacy today. Show Less

Bobette Bibo Gugliotta Memorial Scholarship for Creative Writing

Offered by Silicon Valley Community Foundation

The Bobette Bibo Gugliotta Memorial Scholarship for Creative Writing is open to students majoring in the creative writing field who have demonstrated creative writing ability.… Show More

The Bobette Bibo Gugliotta Memorial Scholarship for Creative Writing is open to students majoring in the creative writing field who have demonstrated creative writing ability. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate a passion for creative writing, be graduating high school seniors or be graduates of a public or private high school in San Mateo County or Santa Clara County, and be planning to enroll or be currently enrolled in a four-year college or university as a full-time student. United States citizens and eligible non-citizens may apply. If you're a Northern Californian high school senior or soon-to-be graduate with a passion for creative writing, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

$5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Christian Connector

Students applying to the $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship must be current high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027) interested in attending a Christian…

Students applying to the $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship must be current high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027) interested in attending a Christian university or college.

Lantos Activist Artist Scholarship

Offered by Lantos Foundation for Human Rights & Justice

The Lantos Activist Artist Scholarship recognizes and supports the work of activist artists in New Hampshire who tell human rights stories in unique, inspiring, and… Show More

The Lantos Activist Artist Scholarship recognizes and supports the work of activist artists in New Hampshire who tell human rights stories in unique, inspiring, and significant ways. Applicants are challenged to examine the influence of a particular activist artist or create their own piece of activist art. Acceptable forms of media include film, writing, theater, dance, music, painting, poetry, and drawing.  While two runners-up will be awarded $2,500 each, two first-place winners will be granted $5,000 each. If you're an artist from New Hampshire passionate about expressing raw emotions that can provoke attention and action on human rights crises, we encourage you to apply! Show Less

Archibald Rutledge Scholarship Program

Offered by South Carolina Department of Education

The Archibald Rutledge Scholarship Program offers twelfth-grade students (enrolled in a public school in South Carolina) the opportunity to compete for a scholarship in creative… Show More

The Archibald Rutledge Scholarship Program offers twelfth-grade students (enrolled in a public school in South Carolina) the opportunity to compete for a scholarship in creative writing, dance, music, theater, or visual arts. Students must be U.S. citizens and have attended public school in South Carolina for the past two years. Students planning to attend an out-of-state college or university are ineligible to apply. Entries produced in collaboration with others are not eligible for this competition. Students may compete in one arts area only. If you're a South Carolinian high school senior passionate about the arts, we encourage you to apply! Show Less

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The Best 15 Creative Writing MFA Programs in 2023

April 7, 2023

Whether you studied at a top creative writing university , or are a high school dropout who will one day become a bestselling author , you may be considering an MFA in Creative Writing. But is a writing MFA genuinely worth the time and potential costs? How do you know which program will best nurture your writing? This article walks you through the considerations for an MFA program, as well as the best Creative Writing MFA programs in the United States.

First of all, what is an MFA?

A Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is a graduate degree that usually takes from two to three years to complete. Applications require a sample portfolio for entry, usually of 10-20 pages of your best writing.

What actually goes on in a creative writing MFA beyond inspiring award-winning books and internet memes ? You enroll in workshops where you get feedback on your creative writing from your peers and a faculty member. You enroll in seminars where you get a foundation of theory and techniques. Then you finish the degree with a thesis project.

Reasons to Get an MFA in Creative Writing

You don’t need an MFA to be a writer. Just look at Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison or bestselling novelist Emily St. John Mandel.

Nonetheless, there are plenty of reasons you might still want to get a creative writing MFA. The first is, unfortunately, prestige. An MFA from a top program can help you stand out in a notoriously competitive industry to be published.

The second reason: time. Many MFA programs give you protected writing time, deadlines, and maybe even a (dainty) salary.

Third, an MFA in Creative Writing is a terminal degree. This means that this degree allows you to teach writing at the university level, especially after you publish a book.

But above all, the biggest reason to pursue an MFA is the community it brings you. You get to meet other writers, and share feedback, advice, and moral support, in relationships that can last for decades.

Types of Creative Writing MFA Programs

Here are the different types of programs to consider, depending on your needs:

Fully-Funded Full-Time Programs

These programs offer full-tuition scholarships and sweeten the deal by actually paying you to attend them.

• Pros: You’re paid to write (and teach).
• Cons: Uprooting your entire life to move somewhere possibly very cold.

Full-Time MFA Programs

These programs include attending in-person classes and paying tuition (though many offer need-based and merit scholarships).

• Pros: Lots of top-notch programs non-funded programs have more assets to attract world-class faculty and guests.
• Cons: It’s an investment that might not pay itself back.

Low-Residency MFA Programs

Low-residency programs usually meet biannually for short sessions. They also offer one-on-one support throughout the year. These MFAs are more independent, preparing you for what the writing life is actually like.

• Pros: No major life changes required. Cons: Less time dedicated to writing and less time to build relationships.

Online MFA Programs

Held 100% online. These programs have high acceptance rates and no residency requirement. That means zero travel or moving expenses.

• Pros: No major life changes required.
• Cons: These MFAs have less name-recognition

The Top 15 Creative Writing MFA Programs Ranked by Category

The following programs are selected for their balance of high funding, impressive return on investment, stellar faculty, major journal publications , and impressive alums.

Fully Funded MFA Programs

1) johns hopkins university, mfa in fiction/poetry (baltimore, md).

This is a two-year program, with $33,000 teaching fellowships per year. This MFA offers the most generous funding package. Not to mention, it offers that sweet, sweet health insurance, mind-boggling faculty, and a guaranteed lecture position after graduation (nice). No nonfiction MFA (boo).

• Incoming class size: 8 students
• Admissions rate: 11.1%
• Alumni: Chimamanda Adiche, Jeffrey Blitz, Wes Craven, Louise Erdrich, Porochista Khakpour, Phillis Levin, ZZ Packer, Tom Sleigh, Elizabeth Spires, Rosanna Warren

2) University of Texas, James Michener Center (Austin, TX)

A fully-funded 3-year program with a generous stipend of $29,500. The program offers fiction, poetry, playwriting and screenwriting. The Michener Center is also unique because you study a primary genre and a secondary genre, and also get $3,000 for the summer.

• Incoming class size : 12 students
• Acceptance rate: a bone-chilling less-than-1% in fiction; 2-3% in other genres
•   Alumni: Fiona McFarlane, Brian McGreevy, Karan Mahajan, Alix Ohlin, Kevin Powers, Lara Prescott, Roger Reeves, Maria Reva, Domenica Ruta, Sam Sax, Joseph Skibell, Dominic Smith

3) University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA)

The Iowa Writers’ Workshop is a 2-year program on a residency model for fiction and poetry. This means there are low requirements, and lots of time to write groundbreaking novels or play pool at the local bar. Most students are funded, with fellowships worth up to $21,000. The Translation MFA, co-founded by Gayatri Chakravorti Spivak, is also two years, but with more intensive coursework. The Nonfiction Writing Program is a prestigious three-year MFA program and is also intensive.

• Incoming class size: 25 each for poetry and fiction; 10-12 for nonfiction and translation.
• Acceptance rate: 3.7%
• Fantastic Alumni: Raymond Carver, Flannery O’Connor, Sandra Cisneros, Joy Harjo, Garth Greenwell, Kiley Reid, Brandon Taylor, Eula Biss, Yiyun Li, Jennifer Croft

4) University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)

Anne Carson famously lives in Ann Arbor, as do the MFA students U-Michigan’s Helen Zell Writers’ Program. This is a big university town, which is less damaging to your social life. Plus, there’s lots to do when you have a $23,000 stipend, summer funding, and health care.

This is a 2-3-year program, with an impressive reputation. They also have a demonstrated commitment to “ push back against the darkness of intolerance and injustice ” and have outreach programs in the community.

• Incoming class size: 18
• Acceptance rate: 4% (which maybe seems high after less-than-1%)
• Alumni: Brit Bennett, Vievee Francis, Airea D. Matthews, Celeste Ng, Chigozie Obioma, Jia Tolentino, Jesmyn Ward

5) Brown University (Providence, RI)

Brown offers an edgy, well-funded program in a place that doesn’t dip into arctic temperatures. Students are all fully-funded for 2-3 years with $29,926 in 2021-22. Students also get summer funding and—you guessed it—that sweet, sweet health insurance.

In the Brown Literary Arts MFA, students take only one workshop and one elective per semester. It’s also the only program in the country to feature a Digital/Cross Disciplinary Track.

• Incoming class size: 12-13
• Acceptance rate: “highly selective”
• Alumni: Edwidge Danticat, Jaimy Gordon, Gayl Jones, Ben Lerner, Joanna Scott, Kevin Young, Ottessa Moshfegh

Best MFA Creative Writing Programs (Continued) 

6) university of arizona (tucson, az).

This 3-year program has many attractive qualities. It’s in “ the lushest desert in the world ”, and was recently ranked #4 in creative writing programs, and #2 in Nonfiction. You can take classes in multiple genres, and in fact, are encouraged to do so. Plus, Arizona dry heat is good for arthritis.

This notoriously supportive program pays $20,000 a year, and offers the potential to volunteer at multiple literary organizations. You can also do supported research at the US-Mexico Border.

• Incoming class size: 9
• Acceptance rate: 4.85% (a refreshingly specific number after Brown’s evasiveness)
• Alumni: Francisco Cantú, Jos Charles, Tony Hoagland, Nancy Mairs, Richard Russo, Richard Siken, Aisha Sabatini Sloan, David Foster Wallace

7) Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ):

Arizona State is also a three-year funded program in arthritis-friendly dry heat. It offers small class sizes, individual mentorships, and one of the most impressive faculty rosters in the game. Everyone gets a $19,000 stipend, with other opportunities for financial support.

• Incoming class size: 8-10
• Acceptance rate: 3% (sigh)
• Alumni: Tayari Jones, Venita Blackburn, Dorothy Chan, Adrienne Celt, Dana Diehl, Matthew Gavin Frank, Caitlin Horrocks, Allegra Hyde, Hugh Martin, Bonnie Nadzam

FULL-RESIDENCY MFAS (UNFUNDED)

8) new york university (new york, ny).

This two-year program is in New York City, meaning it comes with close access to literary opportunities and hot dogs. NYU is private, and has one of the most accomplished faculty lists anywhere. Students have large cohorts (more potential friends!) and have a penchant for winning top literary prizes.

• Incoming class size: 40-60
• Acceptance rate: 6%
• Alumni: Nick Flynn, Nell Freudenberger, Aracelis Girmay, Mitchell S. Jackson, Tyehimba Jess, John Keene, Raven Leilani, Robin Coste Lewis, Ada Limón, Ocean Vuong

9) Columbia University (New York, NY)

Another 2-3 year private MFA program with drool-worthy permanent and visiting faculty. Columbia offers courses in fiction, poetry, translation, and nonfiction. Beyond the Ivy League education, Columbia offers close access to agents, and its students have a high record of bestsellers.

• Incoming class size: 110
• Acceptance rate: 21%
• Alumni: Alexandra Kleeman, Rachel Kushner, Claudia Rankine, Rick Moody, Sigrid Nunez, Tracy K. Smith, Emma Cline, Adam Wilson, Marie Howe, Mary Jo Bang

10) Sarah Lawrence (Bronxville, NY)

Sarah Lawrence offers speculative fiction beyond the average fiction, poetry, and nonfiction course offerings. With intimate class sizes, this program is unique because it offers biweekly one-on-one conferences with its stunning faculty. It also has a notoriously supportive atmosphere.

• Incoming class size: 30-40
• Acceptance rate: N/A
• Alumni: Cynthia Cruz, Melissa Febos, T Kira Madden, Alex Dimitrov, Moncho Alvarado

LOW RESIDENCY

11 bennington college (bennington, vt).

This two-year program boasts truly stellar faculty, and meets twice a year for ten days in January and June. It’s like a biannual vacation in beautiful Vermont, plus mentorship by a famous writer, and then you get a degree. The tuition is $23,468 per year, with scholarships available.

• Acceptance rate: 53%
• Incoming class: 40
• Alumni: Larissa Pham, Andrew Reiner, Lisa Johnson Mitchell, and others

12)  Institute for American Indian Arts (Santa Fe, NM)

This two-year program emphasizes Native American and First Nations writing. With truly amazing faculty and visiting writers, they offer a wide range of genres offered, in screenwriting, poetry, fiction, and nonfiction.

Students attend two eight-day residencies each year, in January and July, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. At $12,000 a year, it boasts being “ one of the most affordable MFA programs in the country .”

• Incoming class size : 22
• Acceptance rate: 100%
• Alumni: Tommy Orange, Dara Yen Elerath, Kathryn Wilder

13) Vermont College of Fine Arts

One of few MFAs where you can study the art of the picture book, middle grade and young adult literature, graphic literature, nonfiction, fiction, and poetry for young people. Students meet twice a year for nine days, in January and July, in Vermont. You can also do many travel residencies in exciting (and warm) places like Cozumel.

VCFA boasts amazing faculty and visiting writers, with individualized study options and plenty of one-on-one time. Tuition is $48,604.

• Incoming class size: 18-25
• Acceptance rate: 63%
• Alumnx: Lauren Markham, Mary-Kim Arnold, Cassie Beasley, Kate Beasley, Julie Berry, Bridget Birdsall, Gwenda Bond, Pablo Cartaya

ONLINE MFAS

14) university of texas at el paso (el paso, tx).

The world’s first bilingual and online MFA program in the world. UTEP is considered the best online MFA program, and features award-winning faculty from across the globe. Intensive workshops allow submitting in Spanish and English, and genres include poetry and fiction. This three-year program costs $14,766 a year, with rolling admissions.

• Alumni: Watch alumni testimonies here

15) Bay Path University (Long Meadow, MA)

This 2-year online program is dedicated entirely to nonfiction. A supportive, diverse community, Bay Path offers small class sizes, close mentorship, and a potential field trip in Ireland.

There are many tracks, including publishing, Narrative Medicine, and teaching. Core courses include memoir, narrative journalism, and the personal essay. The price is $785/credit, for 39 credits, with scholarships available.

• Incoming class size: 20
• Acceptance rate: an encouraging 78%
• Alumni: Read alumni testimonies here

Prepare for your MFA in advance:

• Best English Programs
• Best Creative Writing Schools
• Writing Summer Programs

Best MFA Creative Writing Programs – References:

• https://www.pw.org/mfa
• The Creative Writing MFA Handbook: A Guide for Prospective Graduate Students , by Tom Kealey (A&C Black 2005)
• Graduate School Admissions

Julia Conrad

With a Bachelor of Arts in English and Italian from Wesleyan University as well as MFAs in both Nonfiction Writing and Literary Translation from the University of Iowa, Julia is an experienced writer, editor, educator, and a former Fulbright Fellow. Julia’s work has been featured in  The Millions ,  Asymptote , and  The Massachusetts Review , among other publications. To read more of her work, visit  www.juliaconrad.net

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Fellowships, Grants, & Scholarships

A collection of fellowships, grants, and scholarships for creative writing.

Here you will find a variety of opportunities to support your writing pursuits, whether you are a student, established writer, or emerging talent. Our selection includes funding for fiction, poetry, nonfiction, playwriting, and more. Explore the options below to find the perfect fit for your writing goals. 

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | #  

• Akademie Schloss Solitude
• Anisfield-Wolf Fellowship
• Bennett Fellowship at Exeter
• Gaius Charles Bolin Fellowship
• CAAP Creative Writing Fellowship
• Dalton Creative Writing Program Fellowship
• Barbara Deming Memorial Fund
• Emory Creative Writing Fellowship
• The Hodder Fellowship
• Kenan Visiting Writer
• Kenyon Review Fellowship
• Ruth Lily and Dorothy Sargent Rosenburg Poetry Fellowship
• Jenny McKean Moore Writer-in-Washington
• National Endowment for the Arts Creative Writing Fellowship
• Olive B. O’Connor Fellowship
• Penn State, Altoona, Emerging Writer-in-Residence
• Princeton Arts Fellowship
• Provincetown Fine Arts Work Center Fellowship
• Radcliffe Institute Fellowship
• Wallace Stegner Fellowship
• Stadler Fellowship
• Steinbeck Fellows Program
• Sustainable Arts Foundation Awards
• Reginald S. Tickner Writing Fellowship
• Tulsa Artist Fellowship
• The Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing Fellowship

Resource Submission

Please use the form below to share helpful resources, or updates to resources, that should be added to the site.. Thank you for contributing to the community and helping expand our awareness. 

MFA in Creative Writing Scholarships: How They Work

If you love creative writing and want to study the craft at an advanced level, but lack the re sources to pursue your dreams, you can consider applying for mfa in creative writing scholarships..

Many schools offer MFA in creative writing scholarships to selected students that meet their requirements. Unfortunately, many aspiring writers have little or no knowledge of how creative writing scholarships work. 

What is MFA in Creative Writing?  

A Master’s degree in Fine Arts (MFA) in a creative writing program helps writers learn the theoretical framework and practical skills required to build a successful career in writing. 

Writers can learn a lot from creative writing programs. Apart from meeting and learning from other talented writers, the program exposes you to the knowledge you need to sharpen your writing skills. 

Getting a scholarship for an MFA in creative writing is no mean feat. However, with determination and careful planning, it is possible to put together an application that will get you accepted into a creative writing program. 

This article will consider some of the most important things you need to know about an MFA in a creative writing program. 

Types of MFA in Creative Writing Scholarships 

There are many types of MFA in Creative Writing Scholarships,

Creative Writing —There are different genres of MFA in creative writing, like fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Some schools, however, combine different genres of creative writing.

Acting —An MFA in acting teaches students various acting theories and the various methods of successful acting. 

Dance —An MFA in dance is for those interested in studying choreography and other kinds of dance performance. Some MFA dance programs focus on specific dances, while others do all types. 

Filmmaking —This program is for those interested in the study of the skills needed to build a successful career in film and television. 

Fashion Design —An MFA in fashion design helps students build skills to become fashion design professionals. The program exposes students to the various designs in the fashion industry. 

Photography —MFA students studying photography learn the different theories and processes of photography.  

Visual Arts —An MFA in visual arts exposes students to the theories and techniques of fields like sculpture, painting, drawing ceramics, and printmaking. Each MFA in the visual arts program has a specific area of focus. 

Theater —A theater MFA program focuses on most of the work carried out behind the scenes in live productions. 

Fully Funded MFA in Creative Writing Scholarships 

Fully funded MFA in creative writing scholarships are those where students get a full tuition waiver, health care insurance and a stipend for the duration of the program. 

The stipend offered to students is usually in exchange for a graduate teaching position or a research assistant. 

Fully funded MFA programs are very competitive. Each school receives thousands of applications from all over the world. 

Partially Funded MFA in Creative writing Scholarships  

We describe MFA in creative writing scholarships as partially funded when the students pay some tuition or school fees. 

Partially funded programs are different for various schools. In some schools, students pay tuition but receive some form of scholarship. In other schools, some students get scholarships while others are required to pay. 

How Long Does MFA Programs Last?  

MFA programs last between one to four years. The duration of an MFA program differs for schools. The shortest MFA programs last for only one year, while the longest can stretch for four years. 

Short MFA programs of one or two years are for those in a hurry to finish grad school. The three and four years longer MFA programs are ideal for writers who want to have enough time to write. 

Requirements for Applying to MFA Programs  

The requirements for applying to MFA programs are slightly different for each university. But the following are the basic requirements for most MFA programs. 

Application fees

While a few schools do not ask for application fees for their MFA programs, the vast majority require varying amounts of application fees. 

Some schools can waive the required application fees for some applicants in certain circumstances. 

Another crucial requirement of some MFA programs is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The GRE is a multiple-choice, computer-based, standardized test for students applying for graduate studies. The GRE tests show a candidate’s ability in critical thinking, problem-solving, and written evaluation. 

Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash

Writing Samples 

Every MFA program requires each candidate to submit written samples of their works. The writing sample is an opportunity for the program to assess your strength and whether you are a good fit for their program. 

Letter of Recommendation  

A letter of recommendation is a vital part of the requirements for students in graduate school. Someone who knows your writing qualities and ability to succeed in the program should write a letter of recommendation. 

Statement of Purpose (SOP)

Your statement of purpose can make or mar your MFA application. Apart from your writing samples, the selection committee also assesses your personality. Most schools want writers who will fit in and contribute to the success of their MFA program. You should articulate how that particular MFA program can help you grow in your writing career. You can research and check out some successful statement of purpose examples.

Academic Transcript  

An MFA in creative writing is a post-graduate program. The program will want an official transcript from the school where you completed your undergraduate studies. 

Factors to Consider when Choosing an MFA Program 

There are several factors to consider while choosing and applying to an MFA program. 

Location of the School  

Because an MFA can last as long as four years, it is essential to consider the location of the school that will be your new home. Many MFA students have had their program cut short because they could not cope with their new environment. The location of a school can affect your success as a student. If you are not happy with your school environment, your chances of success are slim. 

The Length of the Program 

Another thing to consider when choosing a school is the length of the MFA program. The shortest MFA programs are just for one year, while the more extensive programs can stretch up to four years.  

The short programs focus on courses and workshops that will teach you the essential skills you require in building a successful writing career. The extensive programs will teach you writing skills and expose you to teaching and editorial works. 

The Size of program  

MFA programs differ in their sizes. Small MFA programs can be as small as 4, while the big ones can be as large as 40. The small-sized programs are more likely to be fully funded than others. 

The smaller MFA programs are preferable if you want a more intimate relationship with the faculty members and the other writers. 

The Funding Package 

Another essential factor to consider is the funding package offered by an MFA program. If you lack the funds to support yourself in the program, you should consider the funding package of the school you wish to apply to. While some schools fund and provide stipends for their students all year round, others offer only partial funding. 

The MFA Program Faculty  

There are different genres of creative writing. It is vital to choose a program with lecturers who will help you develop your craft. For example, if you love speculative fiction, choose a program with lecturers experienced in that genre. So do your research and find out which program has professors and writers whose works are compatible with yours. 

Career Opportunities 

Another thing that can shape your choice of an MFA program is the career opportunities in the program. If you want to be a professional writer, you will want to look out for programs with a history of helping their students find agents that will work with them. 

If you would like to pursue an academic career, you might do well to apply to programs that offer teaching-assistantship positions to their students. 

The Cost of Living  

Except funding is not your problem, you should consider the cost of living in the city where the school is located. The cost of living includes things like rent, utilities, food, and transportation.  

A program with relatively high funding may not sustain you in a location where the cost of living is pretty high. Conversely, a program that offers a smaller funding package might be where the cost of living is low. Remember to do your math by cross-checking your earnings against what you will spend. 

Diversity of the MFA program  

Many experts believe that diverse MFA programs are better than homogeneous ones. Although it helps to have lecturers and students who understand you, it is also good to have a little diversity.  

Being exposed to a program where the faculty and students are diverse will help you learn new things about your craft. You are likely to learn little or nothing when you choose a program where everyone shares a similar experience with you. 

How to Survive an MFA Program 

Getting admitted into an MFA program in creative writing is only the beginning of your journey in acquiring an advanced degree in writing. 

Admission into an MFA program does not guarantee you will finish the program. There are several reasons many MFA in creative writing students drop out of the program. 

To avoid dropping out of an MFA creative writing program, you must prepare to do the following: 

Persevere  

Many things will make you question your decision to pursue a career as a creative writer. The pressure can be so much that you may consider leaving the program. Things will get tough. It is your perseverance that will keep you going. 

Devote time to write  

Remember that the primary purpose of an MFA program is to help you improve your writing. Like everything in life, there are distractions in MFA programs. If you do not prioritize and devote time to your writing, you may become overwhelmed by the workload. 

Form a Support Group  

There is a tendency for writers in your program to form cliques. Look for one or more writers to form a support group to encourage each other during the program. Members of your support group can help strengthen each other’s work before the writing workshop.  

Go to writing events 

There will be a lot of writing events. Some writing events will happen in your school, while others will hold outside your school and city. 

Find time to attend as many of these writing events as possible. These writing events are an excellent opportunity for aspiring writers to meet principal actors in the industry. You never know when or where you will meet someone who will help catapult you to the top.  

Benefits of an MFA Program  

If you are wondering if you need an MFA in creative writing to be successful in your writing career, below are some benefits of an MFA program .

Valuable Feedback —One benefit of an MFA workshop is the opportunity of having your work critiqued by your colleagues and professors in a workshop. In an MFA workshop, the writer doesn’t talk but only listens to what others think about it until the end. Although listening to others critique your work can be difficult, it offers a great insight you can use to revise the work. Getting feedback from people from different cultural and historical backgrounds can be a great eye-opener on how to strike a balance in your work. 

Creative Platform —An MFA creative writing program offers students an advanced education and a platform to hone their skills. The program not on provides writers with a structured program to write but exposes them to the expertise to succeed in the writing profession. 

A Support Group —There is no better place to meet people who share the same passion for creative writing as you. The connections you will develop will be useful during the MFA program and also after you have finished school. 

Final thoughts on MFA in Creative Writing Scholarships

Getting a scholarship for an MFA in a creative writing program can be a life-changing opportunity to kick-start your writing career. 

But first, you must prepare yourself to learn all you need to know about MFA in creating writing and what to expect during the program.

The tips in this article will help those who want to pursue an advanced degree in creative writing but lack the required resources to apply for scholarships. This article also has tips on successfully navigating the murky waters of an MFA program.

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Information for Enrolled MFAs in Creative Writing

Financial support.

If you do not hold a Kemper-Knapp Fellowship, an Advanced Opportunity Fellowship (AOF), or a Martha Meier Renk Distinguished Graduate Fellowship, then your total annual funding will be $25,000 and will come in two forms: (1) a TAship (delivered bi-weekly through payroll, with taxes taken out), and (2) three annual scholarships delivered in September, February, and May, through the bursar and e-refund system. Though the total funding will always be $25,000, exact TAship and scholarship amounts vary from year to year. In 2022-23, MFAs will receive a 40% TAship totaling $16,400, a $3,000 scholarship in September, another $3,000 scholarship in February, and a $2,600 scholarship in May.

Kemper-Knapp, AOF, and Renk fellows should refer to their offer letters for more detailed information about funding, but these fellows will not receive less than $25,000 in total support. Typically these fellows receive reduced scholarship disbursements because their fellowship funding surpasses TA funding.

Satisfactory Progress

The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s MFA in Creative Writing is designed to enable students to develop professional excellence in their chosen genre of creative writing, through substantial literary study and concentrated training and practice in various types of literary expression, over a two-year period devoted to the writing, reading, and teaching of contemporary literature.  Reflecting the English Department’s mission statement, the MFA will enable the most talented new writers in the country to explore, with complexity and intensity, the production and interpretation of literature and culture.

To qualify for the MFA degree, a student must complete 42 credits of course work over four consecutive semesters in residence at Madison, culminating in the completion of a book-length thesis. Up to six credits of graduate work done elsewhere may be counted toward the elective requirement for the degree, subject to the approval of the Creative Writing Steering Committee. The three workshop courses, and the pedagogy course, must be completed in residence.

The MFA degree is awarded on the basis of the student’s total performance in graduate work, as outlined below.

Grade-Point Expectations

As representatives of UW’s Department of English, MFA candidates in creative writing are expected to maintain a GPA of 3.5 or above. In addition to coursework, each candidate is also expected to pursue an independent schedule of reading and writing in consultation with their professors and thesis advisors. Any MFA who receives a grade lower than a B in any course (whether workshop, pedagogy, or elective) will be placed on informal academic probation by the MFA Director, in consultation with the Creative Writing Steering Committee. A cumulative GPA that dips below 3.5 will be brought to the attention of the Director of Graduate Studies, and may be determined to constitute “unsatisfactory progress” toward the degree, which may in turn result in a student’s scholarships, tuition remission, and/or TAship being revoked. A GPA of 3.0 or below, however, will certainly be considered “unsatisfactory progress” and disciplinary measures will be taken accordingly.

An MFA candidate may not have more than two incompletes on his or her record at any one time. Incompletes will be allowed only in extraordinary circumstances, and they must be removed within eight weeks of the following semester of registration.  If an incomplete is not removed within that time, the grade will revert to a failure unless special dispensation is granted by the Director of the MFA Program.

Credit Requirements

Each MFA must complete 42 credit-hours to graduate, and cannot take more than 6 thesis hours per semester.

• 9 credit-hours of workshop in the candidate’s primary genre (fiction or poetry, ENGL 781 or 782) during the first, second and third semesters.
• 3 credit-hours of Creative Writing Pedagogy (ENGL 783) during the first semester, or the third semester for Kemper Knapp Fellows.
• At least 15 credit-hours of thesis work (3 in each of the first, second, and third semesters, and 6 in the final semester), through course number ENGL 785.
• At least 9 credit-hours of electives (usually divided evenly among the second, third, and fourth semesters). Electives must be approved by the MFA Director. They should be graduate-level courses, or undergraduate courses numbered 300 or above.
• 6 additional credit-hours of electives or thesis hours.

Teaching Requirements

In addition to the course work, MFA students (with the exception of AOF Fellows, Kemper Knapp Fellows, or Martha Meier Renk Fellows) will teach one course in creative writing or composition in each of their four semesters in residence. AOF, Kemper Knapp, and Renk fellows will teach one course in each of two semesters during their first or second year, as indicated in the offer letter.  Successful teaching, as determined by student and faculty evaluations of classes, is a requirement for satisfactory progress toward the MFA degree.

Thesis Requirements

The capstone project for the MFA degree is the completion of a thesis, a book-length manuscript of poetry or fiction. The thesis is the single most important requirement of the MFA, and will be an outgrowth of work done for the writing workshops and in conjunction with individual conferences. There is no oral or written examination per se, but each candidate will confer periodically with a thesis advisor during each of the semesters in residence, and will discuss the thesis with the advisor and a second reader (the advisor and said reader constituting the student’s thesis committee) before the end of the fourth semester in residence. The committee will affirm that the successful thesis represents an ambitious project of publishable quality.

Creative Writing Scholarships and Graduate Assistantships

Hamline University recognizes the important role that scholarships and graduate assistantships serve in helping students finance their education. The assistantships also give students valuable teaching, editing, and marketing experience that increases their competitiveness in the job market. 

• MFA Creative Writing Home
• Scholarships and Assistantships
• Financial Aid
• Creative Writing Programs
• In this section

MFA Scholarships

Merit scholarships :  25% of overall tuition

Hamline offers annual scholarships to those incoming students whose application materials demonstrate the most promise. The scholarship is awarded to 10% of incoming students, and one scholarship is offered to a student who identifies as a writer of color.

Deborah Keenan Poetry Scholarship :  $1,000

The Deborah Keenan Poetry Scholarship is offered annually to a poet in the program whose work shows considerable promise.

  Judi Shaw Memorial Scholarship :  $1,000  

The Judi Shaw Memorial Scholarship, named for former MFA student Judi Shaw, is offered bi-annually to an incoming MFA student who shows considerable promise as a writer.

Richard P. Bailey Endowed Scholarship :  $1,000

This scholarship, named for former Hamline president Richard Bailey, assists a writer in the MFA program who has demonstrated financial need and excellent writing ability.

Graduate assistantships

Graduate assistants work primarily with staff members in running communications and specific programming associated with the creative writing programs at Hamline and its journals.

• Water~Stone Review assistant editors: $1,000 stipend
• Assistant managing editor of CWP literary journals per semester: $1,000 stipend*
• Communications Assistant: $1,000 stipend*
• Hamline Young Writers Workshop Assistant: $1,000 stipend
• Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop Assistant: $1,000 stipend*

*Renewable positions upon review every six months based on student/supervisor needs and coursework timeline.

Teaching assistantships

Teaching assistants are paired with a faculty member and assist in teaching an undergraduate creative writing course such as Forms and Elements, Intro to Creative Writing, Multigenre Workshop, Runestone: Introduction to Literary Publishing, etc. Compensation: $1,000 stipend.

Completion of the course  Composition Theory & Pedagogy  is required to hold these positions.

Learning Partnership discount

Employees of our Learning Partners receive a 10% discount on tuition and a waiver of application and processing fees when newly enrolled in the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. Apply for this discount when applying for admission. To learn if you qualify, see our list of  learning partners and eligibility requirements .

Service scholarships

All Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing students, who demonstrate service to AmeriCorps (including Minnesota Reading Corps and Math Corps), the military, or the Peace Corps, are eligible to receive a 10% tuition discount. To apply, simply indicate your service as part of your admission application.

Alumni discounts

Hamline alumni are eligible to receive a  10% tuition discount  when they enroll in any master’s program.

Financial aid

Financial aid is available to all MFA candidates in creative writing. It is not necessary to have an admission decision to begin the financial aid process. For information, please go to the  Hamline financial aid website . You can also email the Office of Financial Aid at  [email protected] , and a financial aid counselor will contact you.

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MFA in Writing Fellowship Opportunities

Related content, related resources.

• Office of Financial Support and Scholarships
• Military & Veteran Services
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• Tuition & Fees

We know cost is an important factor when choosing your MFA program. As an applicant or a current student, you can be considered for a variety of fellowships.

For information about student loans, please contact the Office of Financial Support and Scholarships .

Ask the Military-Connected Resource Center about potential aid for eligible students.

Graduate Studies Fellowships

The MFA in Writing Program Coordinator makes recommendations based on materials submitted by the applicant and feedback from the MFA application committee. Please see the link below for information on the many fellowship opportunities available through Graduate Studies.

Graduate Studies Scholarships, Fellowships, Awards, & Waivers

Graduate Assistantship (GA)

Graduate Assistantships (GAs) are awards to students who have demonstrated high academic potential at the graduate level. These positions are highly selective and contingent on availability from Graduate Studies. The assistantship is an average of 20 hours per week and includes the following assigned duties: teaching one undergraduate course per semester (fall and spring); meeting regularly with the Program Coordinator—or an assigned mentor—to discuss pedagogy; and contributing to programmatic research, as assigned by the Program Coordinator. Included with this assistantship are up to 12 hours of tuition toward graduate coursework during the fall and spring semesters. Monthly stipends are provided, and basic individual student health insurance is offered at a reduced rate.

Lied Lodge & Conference Center Scholarship for First-Semester Students

The Lied Lodge & Conference Center sponsors one new student each residency. The MFA in Writing supplements this sponsorship so that the meals and lodging fee is waived for the student's first semester. The Program Coordinator makes the final decision, based on feedback from the MFA application committee.

The Tonie Harrington Residency Assistant Scholarship

Each session, one student serves as Residency Assistant to the Program Coordinator. Duties vary but are primarily clerical. The position was founded in honor of Tonie Harrington, a graduate of the first UN MFA in Writing graduating class who facilitated its formation during her tenure as a student and served as the first Residency Assistant. This program scholarship covers the entire residency meals and lodging fee and is renewable through a student's graduating residency. Award is typically for two to three semesters.

Richard Duggin Fellowship

Richard Duggin founded the MFA in Writing in 2005 and served as Program Coordinator until 2017. In 2020, the MFA in Writing, through a generous contribution from Richard Duggin, established the Richard Duggin Fellowship to reward excellence and/or address need for incoming or current students. Awards may be for one or more semesters.

Helen W. Kenefick Academy of American Poets University & College Poetry Prize

Each spring semester, all current students, regardless of genre track, will be encouraged to submit up to three poems to be considered for the UN MFA in Writing Helen W. Kenefick Academy of American Poets University & College Poetry Prize.

One poem by one winner and one runner-up, both of whom will receive notification from the Academy of American Poets, will be selected. The winner will receive an award check in the amount of $100 (plus a one-year membership to the Academy, which includes a subscription to the journal American Poet).

Students are notified of the specific deadline each spring semester.

Graduate Research and Creative Activity (GRACA)

Graduate Research and Creative Activity (GRACA) grants support faculty-mentored graduate student research and creative activity. Grants of up to $5,000 per student are available to currently enrolled UNO graduate students.

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Online MFA in Creative Writing Master of Fine Arts

Earn an MFA in Creative Writing Online

• $637/credit (48 credits total)
• Transfer up to 12 graduate credits
• 100% online – no residency required
• Four fiction genres to choose from
• Career-focused certificate included
• No application fee or GRE/GMAT scores required

Online MFA in Creative Writing Program Overview

Share your story with the world and let the power of storytelling take your career to new heights with an online Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing . As one of the only programs available that encourages a focus on genre fiction, our online MFA lets you hone your craft in an area specific to your strengths and interests. You'll also learn about the business side of creative writing, preparing you to market your work in the real world.

While most MFA programs require a residency, Southern New Hampshire University's online MFA in Creative Writing can be completed entirely online, with no travel necessary.

“Traditional MFA programs, whether full-time or low residency, are out of reach for many writers,” said Paul Witcover , associate dean of creative writing. “The SNHU online MFA was designed to make the MFA experience accessible to all fiction writers, opening the door to diverse voices excluded for too long from the literary conversation. Our program is dedicated to giving writers the tools to succeed on the page and beyond it.”

Graduates leave the program with a completed and revised novel in one of our four offered genres: Contemporary, Young Adult, Romance and Speculative. With the included certificates in either online teaching of writing or professional writing , you'll have the skills to support your writing career, no matter where it takes you.

.st0{fill:#21386D;} What You'll Learn

• The business and technical sides of professional writing
• How to navigate the publishing ecosystem, identify agents and editors, and market your work to appeal to decision-makers
• Using social media to gain a following and build your brand
• How to teach writing in a classroom setting

.cls-1 { fill: #21386d; } How You'll Learn

At SNHU, you'll get support from day 1 to graduation and beyond. And with no set class times, 24/7 access to the online classroom and helpful learning resources along the way, you'll have everything you need to reach your goals.

The Value of an Online MFA

Emily Jones ’20 embraced a transformational experience through the online MFA in Creative Writing program, which supported her in taking her writing career to the next level. “I can now say, without even a hint of imposter syndrome, that I am a writer,” said Jones. “And that is because of Southern New Hampshire University.”

Career Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, writers and authors made a median annual salary of $69,510 in 2021, while editors made $63,350. 1

“Our mission is to give students a degree and associated practical skills they can use to forge successful pathways in academia, business, or by blazing their own career trail,” said Paul Witcover , associate dean of creative writing.

Earning one of the included certificates in online teaching of writing or professional writing will also be an invaluable addition to your resume for part-time, full-time and freelance jobs in a variety of fields, including:

• Higher education. Instruct writing courses in higher education settings. In 2021, postsecondary teachers made a median annual wage of $79,640, and you can expect to see a 12% growth in available positions through 2031, according to the BLS. 1
• Advertising. Use your storytelling skills in a way that influences consumer action. As a copywriter, you could find yourself doing any number of writing projects from crafting emails and ads to writing entire commercials.
• Marketing. If you're more comfortable with long-form prose, many businesses have invested in content writers who create quality content such as blog posts, ebooks and podcasts to attract and retain customers.
• Entertainment. Good at building suspense or setting up punchlines? From movies and plays to comedy and podcasts, being a good storyteller and writer is important to finding success in the entertainment industry.
• History. Every person's life has a plot, but it takes writers like you to tell their stories in a compelling way. Help readers relive the experiences of historic figures and pop culture icons as a biographer.

Higher Education

Instruct writing courses in higher education at a college or university, either in-person or online.

Advertising

Influence consumer action through copywriting, from print ads to digital advertising and broadcast commercials.

Create written content such as blog posts, ebooks and podcasts to attract and retain customers.

Entertainment

From movies and plays to comedy and podcasts, writers often find success in the entertainment industry.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts favorable job growth in postsecondary education. And while statistics are not available for all job settings mentioned above, the BLS reports the following:

.cls-1 { fill: #21386d; } Job Growth

The BLS predicts an 8% growth in available postsecondary teaching positions through 2032. 1

.cls-1 { fill: #21386d; } Potential Salary

Writers and authors made a median annual salary of $73,150 in 2022, while editors made $73,080 and postsecondary teachers made $80,840. 1

Understanding the Numbers When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors — like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

Start Your Journey Toward an Online MFA in Creative Writing

If you're looking to earn your Master of Fine Arts online, you've found the right program. Even though there are no residency requirements, you'll still interact frequently with other students and faculty members in asynchronous discussions, critique workshops and within our online writer’s community, where students come together to share industry news, extend writing tips and develop critique partnerships.

"I liked MFA-514 (Advanced Studies in Genre Literature) best," said student Jamilla Geter . "It was a great look into the different genres. It really helped me narrow down what genre I wanted to write in."

"Though it was not writing exactly, its connection to it – especially in our digital world – was made clear almost immediately," she said. "Writing is not just providing content of value to your readers, but also creating avenues of access so those readers can find your content. This course helped me to understand that and to learn how I can create those avenues."

Besides allowing you to focus on your own creative interests, part of our 48-credit online MFA curriculum requires you to choose from 2 certificate offerings designed to round out your education and better prepare you for a multitude of writing-related careers.

The first choice is a Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching of Writing , which is tailored to those who see themselves teaching in an online classroom setting as a supplement to their writing careers. Students practice approaches to editing and coaching, learning how to establish a virtual instructor presence and cultivate methods for supporting and engaging students within online writing communities.

Learn more about the online teaching of writing graduate certificate .

Students can also choose the Graduate Certificate in Professional Writing , which highlights the technical and business opportunities available to writers. Students will develop a range of skills, such as copywriting, social media, marketing principles and/or content generation, learning many of the freelancing skills integral to today’s project-driven economy.

Learn more about the professional writing graduate certificate .

All of our courses are taught by accomplished authors and industry professionals who know both the craft and business of creative writing. They will work closely with you to develop both your creative and professional skill set.

"All instructors within my program were extremely knowledgeable and helpful," Warden said. "I learned a lot about the different career paths my instructors chose. ... The course instruction, along with their anecdotal experiences, helped in offering knowledge in different areas of our field.

MFA Program Thesis

The thesis for the Online MFA in Creative Writing is required to be a novel of at least 50,000 words in one of the four genres the program offers: Contemporary, Young Adult, Romance, and Speculative.

Every Southern New Hampshire University online MFA student who graduates from the program will do so with a revised novel manuscript in their chosen genre, which is completed in a three-course thesis series. Throughout your tenure in the program, you can either work on a singular idea that you will develop during the three thesis courses, or you can begin a new project for your thesis. You can also combine elements of the four genres offered in the program for your thesis. For example, your thesis might be a YA Speculative Fiction novel.

"My three thesis classes for the MFA degree were the most helpful," said Kathleen Harris '21 . "I was actually writing a book as my thesis, so it was both enjoyable and advantageous for the degree. And it was the end of a very long milestone of accomplishments."

Minimum Hardware Requirements Component Type   PC (Windows OS)   Apple (Mac OS)   Operating System  Currently supported operating system from Microsoft.   Currently supported operating system from Apple.  Memory (RAM)  8GB or higher  8GB or higher  Hard Drive  100GB or higher  100GB or higher  Antivirus Software  Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students.  Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students.  SNHU Purchase Programs  Visit Dell   Visit Apple   Internet/ Bandwidth  5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100 ms Latency  5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100 ms Latency  Notes:   Laptop or desktop?   Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style, though laptops tend to offer more flexibility.  Note:   Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they cannot be your primary device. SNHU does, however, have an affordable laptop option that it recommends: Dell Latitude 3301 with Windows 10.  Office 365 Pro Plus  is available free of charge to all SNHU students and faculty. The Office suite will remain free while you are a student at SNHU. Upon graduation you may convert to a paid subscription if you wish. Terms subject to change at Microsoft's discretion. Review system requirements for  Microsoft 365 plans  for business, education and government.  Antivirus software:  Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers.  if (typeof accordionGroup === "undefined") { window.accordionGroup = new accordion(); } accordionGroup.init(document.getElementById('f756dce5bd874c61855f6f6e92d88470')); University Accreditation

Tuition & Fees

Tuition rates for SNHU's online degree programs are among the lowest in the nation. We offer a 25% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.

Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually. *Note: students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.

Additional Costs: Course Materials ($ varies by course). Foundational courses may be required based on your undergraduate course history, which may result in additional cost.

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The NYU Creative Writing Program

is among the most distinguished programs in the country and is a leading national center for the study of writing and literature.

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The graduate Creative Writing Program at NYU consists of a community of writers working together in a setting that is both challenging and supportive.

Low Residency MFA Workshop in Paris

The low-residency MFA Writers Workshop offers students the opportunity to develop their craft in one of the world's most inspiring literary capitals.

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The undergraduate program offers workshops, readings, internships, writing prizes, and events designed to cultivate and inspire.

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The lively public Reading Series hosts a wide array of writers, translators, and editors, and connects our program to the local community.

Creative Writing Program

Low-residency mfa writers workshop in paris, undergraduate, washington square review, literary journal, a sample residency calendar, write in paris, scholarships and grant opportunities, program of study, dates and deadlines, creative writing, recent highlights from the mfa community.

• Alum Bruna Dantas Lobato   won the 2023 National Book Award in translation

• Faculty member Sharon Olds received the Joan Margarit International Poetry Prize from King Felipe VI in July 2023

• Alumni  Tess Gunty  and  John Keene   each won a 2022 National Book Award in fiction and poetry , respectively

• Books by faculty members  Sharon  Olds  and  Meghan O'Rourke;  and alums  Tess Gunty, John Keene ,  and  Jenny Xie  were named finalists for the 2022 National Book Awards; books by alum  Rio Cortez and faculty member Leigh Newman were also longlisted

• Alum  Ada Limón   has been named the nation's 24th Poet Laureate  by the Library of Congress

• Alum  Amanda Larson 's debut poetry collection  GUT  was selected by Mark Bibbins as the winner of the Poetry Society of America Norma Farber Book Award

• Alum  Sasha Burshteyn  was named a 2022 winner of the 92Y Discovery Prize. Alums Jenna Lanzaro and JinJin Xu were also named semi-finalists for the prize.

• Alum Clare Sestanovich was selected as a  2022 5 under 35 Honoree  by the National Book Foundation

• Alum  Maaza Mengiste  was awarded a  2022 Guggenheim Fellowship

• Visiting graduate faculty member  Brandon Taylor 's collection  Filthy Animals  was named a 2021/22  finalist for The Story Prize  and was shortlisted for the  2022 Dylan Thomas Prize

• Alum  Raven Leilani  won the 2021 Clark Fiction Prize, Dylan Thomas prize, the 2020 Kirkus Prize for Fiction and the Center for Fiction 2020 First Novel Prize for her debut novel  Luster,  and was named a finalist for the 2021 VCU Cabell First Novelist Award, the Gotham Book Prize, the 2021 PEN/Hemmingway Award for Debut Novel, the 2021 PEN/Jean Stein Book Award

• Alum Desiree C. Bailey 's debut poetry collection  What Noise Against the Cane  was longlisted for the 2022 Dylan Thomas Prize and was also named a finalist for the 2021 National Book Award in Poetry and the 2022 Kate Tufts Discovery Award, and was published as the winner of the 2020 Yale Series of Younger Poets

• Senior faculty member  Sharon Olds  was named the 2022 recipient of the Poetry Society of America's Frost Medal for distinguished lifetime achievement in poetry

You can read more MFA Community news here and find a list of forthcoming and recently published books by alumni here .   NYU CWP alumni include  Aria Aber, Amir Ahmadi Arian, Julie Buntin, Nick Flynn, Nell Freudenberger, Aracelis Girmay, Isabella Hammad, Ishion Hutchinson, Mitchell S. Jackson, Tyehimba Jess, John Keene, Raven Leilani, Robin Coste Lewis, Ada Limón, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, Maaza Mengiste, John Murillo, Gregory Pardlo, Morgan Parker, Nicole Sealey, Solmaz Sharif, Peng Shepherd, Ocean Vuong, Jenny Xie,  and  Javier Zamora. 

Announcements

Ocean Vuong joins the NYU Creative Writing Program Faculty

Mary Gabriel, Author of “Ninth Street Women”, Receives the NYU/Axinn Foundation Prize

Claudia Rankine joins the NYU Creative Writing Program Faculty

Classic podcasts from the lillian vernon reading series.

Anne Carson

Zadie Smith and Jeffrey Eugenides

Terrance Hayes

Where to find us.

Faculty Spotlight

Claudia Rankine is a recipient of the 2016 MacArthur Fellowship, and the author of six collections including Citizen and Don’t Let Me Be Lonely.

Hari Kunzru is the author of six novels, including the most recent Red Pill, and White Tears, a finalist for the PEN Jean Stein Award.

Terrance Hayes’s most recent publications include American Sonnets for My Past And Future Assassin and To Float In The Space Between.

Ocean Vuong is the author of the bestselling novel, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous and the poetry collection, Night Sky with Exit Wounds.

Sharon Olds is a previous director of the Creative Writing Program. Her 2012 collection Stags Leap was awarded the T.S. Eliot Prize and a Pulitzer.

Darin Strauss is the author of several acclaimed novels, including the most recent The Queen of Tuesday: A Lucille Ball Story.

Foer was listed in Rolling Stone's "People of the Year," Esquire's "Best and Brightest," and The New Yorker's "20 Under 40" list.

Katie Kitamura’s most recent novel Intimacies was longlisted for the National Book Award and named a Best Book of 2021 by numerous publications.

Jeffrey Eugenides is the author of acclaimed novels The Virgin Suicides, Middlesex, and The Marriage Plot. His latest collection is Fresh Complaint. 

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Degree Plan   Funding   Courses

Creative Writing Fellowships

Each year, the program awards three $10,000 fellowships. The fellowships are renewable for three years. These fellowships are competitive. Applicants to the program are automatically considered for these awards. Recipients of these fellowships are also prioritized for additional support in the form of a graduate assistantship (see below). Note: Fellowships are awarded in the late spring for the following academic year.

The Graduate Assistantship in English

The Department of English offers graduate assistantships for qualified students. The graduate assistant is awarded a $9,800 stipend for an academic year (two long terms) and qualifies for state health benefits. The typical assistantship is renewable for a total of six long terms. The graduate assistant usually works twenty hours a week. A graduate assistant will be assigned to one (or more) of the following positions each semester, depending on need and available openings. The Chair of the Department of English makes all graduate assistant assignments.

Academic Success Center Tutor

The Sam Houston State University Academic Success Center, to which a number of graduate assistants are assigned as tutors, offers help in writing to students, staff, faculty, and members of the community. After training, ASC assistants typically work twenty hours a week, usually one-on-one with freshman and sophomore students who need help in planning and writing essays for classes across the disciplines in the core curriculum. But they may also give advice on writing résumés, lab reports, and job and scholarship application letters.

For further information about working with Academic Success Center, contact Dr. Mary Catherine Breen, executive director of the Academic Success Center: [email protected]

Teaching Assistantship

Teaching assistants typically work their way up the rungs of freshman English classes:

ENGL 0331 (Developmental English)

The graduate assistant helps students who have not yet managed to meet the University’s entrance-level writing standards. In remediating these students, the instructor concentrates on the fundamentals of composition—grammar, sentence construction, mechanics, and the basics of organizing and developing a simple essay.

ENGL 1301 (Composition I)

After earning eighteen hours of graduate credit, as required by the University’s accrediting body, the teaching assistant may be assigned to a Composition I class, which concentrates on formulating and developing a single thesis through an essay and on English syntax, diction, and rhetoric.

ENGL 1302 (Composition II)

Some teaching assistants are given the opportunity to teach Composition II, which picks up with the basic skills mastered in English 1301 but helps the students in the course develop more complex modes or patterns of writing. It also concentrates on research writing across the disciplines.

Texas Review and Texas Review Press Assistantships

Some graduate assistants serve part-time editorial assistantships in the offices of either the Texas Review Press or the Texas Review , where they gain valuable professional experience in the day-to-day editing and publishing work of a literary journal and a university press, respectively. For further information, contact TRP director Dr. J. Bruce Fuller ( [email protected] ) or Professor Nick Lantz ( [email protected] ).

Research Assistantship

Depending upon need, some qualified graduate assistants serve as research assistants to faculty engaged in scholarly projects. Contact Dr. Scott Kaukonen ( [email protected] ) for more information.

Qualifying for the Graduate Assistantship

The applicant for a graduate assistantship must:

• be a student accepted in regular admission status;
• submit an application for assistant instructor

Application Deadlines for Graduate Assistantships*

• Fall         March 15
• Spring     October 15

* Graduate assistantships are generally not available during the summer.

Submit the application form  to the following address:

Dr. Jacob Blevins Chair, Department of English Sam Houston State University Box 2146 Huntsville TX 77341-2146 [email protected]

Texas Review Press Fellowships

The Paul Ruffin Fellow in Publishing ($5,000/yr)

The Paul Ruffin Fellow in Publishing scholarship was established by Texas Review Press in memory of press founder and Director Dr. Paul Ruffin. This scholarship is for a graduate student in the MFA Program in Creative Writing, Editing, and Publishing in the department of English who has completed their first year of study, and who has demonstrated excellent ability as an intern for Texas Review Press. The scholarship will be fully funded for 20 hour per week interns and half-funded for 10 hour per week interns.

The TRP Marketing Fellow ($1,000/yr)

The TRP Marketing Fellow was established by Texas Review Press for a graduate student intern at Texas Review Press who has demonstrated ability in the press’s marketing and promotional efforts. This scholarship is for a graduate student in the Department of English and will be fully funded for 20 hour per week interns and half-funded for 10 hour per week interns.

The TRP Publicity Fellow ($1,000/yr)

The TRP Publicity Fellow was established by Texas Review Press for a graduate student intern at Texas Review Press who has demonstrated ability in the press’s publicity and social media efforts. This scholarship is for a graduate student in the Department of English and will be fully funded for 20 hour per week interns and half-funded for 10 hour per week interns.

The TRP Editorial Fellow ($1,000/yr)

The TRP Editorial Fellow was established by Texas Review Press for a graduate student intern at Texas Review Press who has demonstrated ability in editing and publishing. This scholarship is for a graduate student in the Department of English and will be fully funded for 20 hour per week interns and half-funded for 10 hour per week interns.

The Texas Review Editorial Fellow ($1,000/yr)

The Texas Review Editorial Fellow was established by Texas Review Press for a graduate student intern at Texas Review Press who serves as the assistant editor for the Texas Review literary journal. This scholarship is for a graduate student in the Department of English and will be fully funded for 20 hour per week interns and half-funded for 10 hour per week interns.

Additional Scholarships

Office of graduate studies general scholarships.

The Office of Graduate Studies awards competitive graduate student scholarships for fall, spring, and summer semesters. To apply, visit the Scholarships 4 Kats  portal, and search Opportunities for the Graduate School General Scholarship. A qualified student must submit a scholarship application form and supply all supporting documentation, including a personal statement, a letter of recommendation, and a CV. Check the Graduate School website, under Paying for School, for more information, including deadlines.

College of Humanities and Social Sciences Special Graduate Student Scholarships

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences awards competitive graduate student scholarships. They are awarded to selected graduate students who have demonstrated an excellent academic record and community citizenship. To be considered for the CHSS Special Graduate Scholarship , a Sam Houston State University student must be enrolled as a graduate student during the semester in which the scholarship is applied. Recipients will be notified in Spring semester on the amount of scholarships for Fall and Spring. Applicants must provide expected enrollment status for the next academic year. Applicants must provide expected graduation date. Applicants must upload 2 letters of recommendation (preferably from SHSU faculty) to the Scholarships4Kats application. Once awarded, scholarship is contingent upon student maintaining a 3.5 GPA and enrollment status. For more information about the CHSS scholarship, contact Ms. Toni Abshire, Administrative Assistant in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, by either phone (936-294-2205) or e-mail ( [email protected] ).

The Paul Ruffin Award

Paul Ruffin was a long-time faculty member in the Department of English, the founder of the Texas Review and the Texas Review Press, a writer of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction, a Regents University Professor and the one-time Poet Laureate of the State of Texas. Established with the support of his friends, this award offers a current MFA student $1,000 and, in keeping with the spirit of Dr. Ruffin, is awarded each spring (for the following academic year) to the author of the best humor essay submitted by the deadline. See Dr. Scott Kaukonen ( [email protected] ) for more information.

Additional Financial Aid

Additional support may be found through the  Scholarships4Kats  resource center. For more information, visit the Financial Aid Office . Or call the Aid Office at 936-294-1774 (Toll Free: 1-866-BEARKAT). 

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2024 duke english creative writing scholarship awards, april 23, 2024.

Quantá Holden | Duke English | Digital Communication Specialist

Duke English is delighted to share the 2024 Creative Writing Scholarships honorees. Each year, Duke English faculty members nominate undergraduate students for one of the Creative Writing Scholarships based on the exceptional work they submitted in one or more of their creative writing courses. The Creative Writing Committee selects the winners of the prestigious William M. Blackburn, Francis Pemberton, and Margaret Rose Knight Sanford Scholarships. Students nominated must be eligible for financial aid to receive these scholarships.

2024 Creative Writing Scholarship Recipients:

Frances Pemberton Scholarship Awarded to a junior or senior pursuing the study of creative writing.  This scholarship was created by the Trustees of The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation in memory and in honor of Francis Pemberton's service to the Biddle Foundation.

Ryan Copeland , ‘25

Margaret Rose Knight Sanford Scholarship Awarded to a female student who demonstrates particular promise in creative writing.  This scholarship was established in recognition of the untiring efforts of Margaret Rose Knight Sanford on behalf of Duke University.

Ali Thursland , ‘24

William Blackburn Scholarship Recognizes outstanding achievement in the field of creative writing.  Established in 1962 by students and friends of Professor William Blackburn (1899-1969) who first began teaching creative writing at Duke.

Jocelyn Chin , ‘24 Sage Cooley , ‘25 Joshua Lee , ‘26 Rani Teddy , ‘26

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Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies at The University of Texas at Austin

Grad Program: MA in Creative Writing in Russian (Moscow)

Application opens February 2019

For fiction/non-fiction writers in Russian.

MA “Creative Writing”  is:

• Practical and theoretical/historical courses, such as  Creative Writing Workshop ,  Storytelling in Different Media ,  Literary Editing , Poetics of Novel and Screenwriting ;
• Unique professors and teachers, among them famous Russian writers, screenwriters and critics –  Marina Stepnova ,  Lyudmila Ulitskaya ,  Lev Danilkin ,  Sergey Gandlevsky  and  Maya Kucherskaya  as well as prominent philologists, authors of academic and non-fiction books  Oleg Lekmanov ,  Ekaterina Lyamina  and  Alexey Vdovin ;
• Participation in open readings, discussions and  literary expeditions ,  publications in students’ projects ;
• International exchange  – lectures and workshops of the leading specialists in Creative Writing, students’ exchange in the best world universities;
•  Help and support in the process of  employment  in various publishing houses, editorials, Mass Media, high schools and universities and PR;
• Creation and participation in  cultural projects ;
• Flexible timetable  enabling students to work while studying.

Our graduates already work in the best publishing houses, universities and schools in Moscow. Their writing is published in the authoritative literary magazines. Their projects (such as prize  “_Litblog”  for the best literary blogger and first Creative Writing Internet resource in Russian  “Mnogobukv” and collections of prose) have gained much attention.

Language of instruction: Russian

You can apply to non-paid place as a foreign student in February. Looking forward to seeing you at Higher School of Economics!

More information about the programme:  https://www.hse.ru/en/ma/litmaster

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Creative writing MFA graduates will read their work

Come celebrate the 2024 graduates of the MFA program in creative writing as they share selections from their literary works at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27 in the Ulrich Museum of Art.

A reception will be at 2 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend the free event.

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• Autumn 2024

ENGL 283 C: Beginning Verse Writing

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Jennifer Atkinson gives keynote talk at OSU on Collective Climate Action

Jennifer Atkinson gave a keynote talk for the new series on “Collective Climate Action: Inspired Organizing for Our Future” as part of Oregon State University’s Spring Creek Project . The Collective Climate series was launched to bring together the practical wisdom of environmental science, the clarity of philosophy, and the transformational power of the written word and the arts to envision and inspire just and joyous relations with the planet and with one another.

In her keynote lecture, Atkinson highlighted ways that anxiety and despair are rising along with global temperatures. To successfully face the challenges ahead, she argued, we need to build more than solar panels and sea walls: we also need to build the emotional resilience to stay engaged in climate work over the long haul. Her talk offered five key steps for navigating the psychological and emotional impacts of climate change while channeling our anxiety into collective efforts to create a livable future.

The lecture is available on YouTube and also as a Podcast episode with the Collective Climate Action series.