The Africa Institute 2025 Tejumola Olaniyan Creative Writers-in-Residence Fellowship

The Africa Institute, Global Studies University invites applications for the Tejumola Olaniyan Creative Writers-in-Residence Fellowship, a distinguished program that celebrates and supports literary voices engaged in the creative expression of Africa and its diaspora in all forms and genres.

Established in honor of the late Nigerian scholar Tejumola Olaniyan, a renowned literary critic whose work profoundly shaped African and African diaspora studies, this fellowship reflects his legacy of intellectual rigor, creativity, and commitment to fostering new narratives. It aligns with The Africa Institute’s mission as a globally oriented center dedicated to research, postgraduate studies, and critical discourse on Africa and its worldwide connections.

• Table of Content
• About The Africa Institute
• Tejumola Olaniyan Creative Writers-in-Residence Fellowship
• Aim and Benefits of Tejumola Olaniyan Creative Writers-in-Residence Fellowship
• Requirements for Tejumola Olaniyan Creative Writers-in-Residence Fellowship Qualification
• Documents Required for Application
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About The Africa Institute

Established in 2018, The Africa Institute in Sharjah, UAE, is an interdisciplinary academic research institute dedicated to the study, research, and documentation of Africa and the African diaspora. As the only institution of its kind located in the Gulf—the historical nexus of African-Arab cultural exchange—The Africa Institute is uniquely positioned to expand understanding of African and African diaspora studies as a global enterprise. The Africa Institute’s curriculum of postgraduate studies is designed to train the next generation of critical thinkers in African and Afric... continue reading

Tejumola Olaniyan Creative Writers-in-Residence Fellowship

Aim and Benefits of Tejumola Olaniyan Creative Writers-in-Residence Fellowship

The African diaspora for a grant of 50,000 AED in total for the duration of the fellowship, which is inclusive of accommodation, a return airfare ticket, visa and the monthly stipend of 10,000 AED per month per fellow.

Requirements for Tejumola Olaniyan Creative Writers-in-Residence Fellowship Qualification

• The fellowship is open to both emerging and well-established creative writers.
• A strong record of creative literary excellence, including awards, fellowships, or other forms of recognition.
• Applicants must be actively working on a major literary project (a novel, memoir, collection of essays or poetry, film script, or a full-length play).
• Applicants must have at least one published work (book, journal, or significant online platform) or a substantial portfolio demonstrating their commitment to writing.
• Applicants working on themes related to Africa and the African diaspora are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Priority will be given to applicants who employ innovative approaches to storytelling, form, or language are given priority.
• Priority will be given to applicants whose work shows potential to contribute to critical literary culture, scholarship, or public discourse are given preference.

Documents Required for Application

• CV/résumé of the applicant
• A two-page summary (single space, font 12) of the project to be undertaken during the residency period, its significance, and a proposed date of completion.
• One sample of published or unpublished writings and/or creative work to be evaluated.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

To submit applications, compile all application materials; CV/résumé, two-page narrative and writing sample (in case of a book, please attach separately) into one single PDF in the mentioned order.

Please name the file with the residency title abbreviation and the applicant’s name in this format: OCWRP_LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME.pdf

Use the same name in the email subject heading and send the PDF as an email attachment to applications@theafricainstitute.

For more details, visit The Africa Institute fellowship webpage