Course Bursaries for Northern Irish Writers

The Irish Writers Centre is pleased to announce a new round of course bursary applications for Northern Irish Writers, made possible with support from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s National Lottery funding. These bursaries will enable writers to develop their skills through funded places at Irish Writers Centre creative writing courses, and open up access to course entry by subsidising costs to individuals who may not otherwise be able to take a course.

In keeping with Goal 2 of our new 2022–2026 Strategy, this scheme will enhance opportunities for people across all communities to explore and participate in creative writing.

40 bursaries for beginner and emerging writers will be made available in this round, with each awardee receiving course credit worth €165 towards a course at the IWC.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

This scheme is open only to beginner and emerging writers over the age of 18 who are either currently based in Northern Ireland or from Northern Ireland and currently based in the Republic of Ireland. Please note that further course bursaries for writers who are not from or based in Northern Ireland will be offered in 2023.

The IWC is working towards the development of our first equality and diversity policy, and taking steps to promote equality of opportunity for all those living in Ireland, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, civil or family status, religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller Community, as well as socio-economic background. We encourage writers from backgrounds typically underrepresented in Irish literature to apply for these bursaries, and will place a strong focus on ethnicity, race, and socioeconomic status when evaluating applications.

Applications will be evaluated by an external selection panel, with reference to the considerations outlined in our EDI Statement and to the case made in your application form as to how you would benefit from a course bursary.

How to Apply

Please fill out the online application form to apply.

If you have any queries about the scheme, please contact the IWC team at info@writerscentre.ie.

About the Irish Writers Centre

For over 30 years as the leading support and development organisation for writers, the Irish Writers Centre has acknowledged and uplifted those with the courage and compulsion to write by providing opportunities for them to develop their skill, advance their ambitions and join a vibrant and diverse community of people who share their passion and purpose. We carry out our work, online and in person, on an all island basis. Our just-launched strategy outlines a commitment to diversity and sustainability across our activities and its ambition is to connect writers of all types and talents across the island.

Application Deadline

5.00pm on 18 November 2022