Scholarships for Writers From Marginalized Groups

 

 

SiWC Scholarships for Marginalized Groups

The Surrey International Writers' Conference community is diverse and inclusive, and offers two  scholarships to reflect and support our ongoing commitment to this inclusivity: a scholarship for a Black Writer and our Diversity Scholarship for anyone who identifies as being from a marginalized group. 

Think you might qualify? Check details below.

It is our goal to be able to offer these scholarships every year. Your contributions make this possible. If you would like to contribute to the scholarship funds, please let us know using the contact form on our website. Thank you!

The SiWC Diversity Scholarship

This scholarship started with a generous donation from an anonymous attendee, and continues thanks to ongoing donations from hundreds of SiWC attendees every year. 

For SiWC at Home 2020, we are offering a SECOND scholarship to a writer from a marginalized group thanks to a generous anonymous donation from an industry professional.

 

Information and Entry Rules

The SiWC Diversity Scholarship offers a full conference pass to SiWC.

This scholarship hopes to make SiWC accessible to an attendee who would not otherwise be able to attend. It is open to any writer, age 19 and over, who requires financial assistance to attend SiWC and self-identifies as having a diverse experience, including, but not limited to, being BIPoC; gender diversity; LGBTQIA; belonging to an ethnic, cultural, or religious minority; and/or being a person with a disability.

To apply, please complete the following application package.

  1. Cover Sheet: include the following information:
    1. Name
    2. Email
    3. Phone number
    4. Address
    5. Age (must be 19 or older by August 31 of the conference year)
  2. Personal Essay: A 450-700 word personal essay explaining why you are a good candidate for the scholarship. Why are you interested in attending? What are your writing aspirations? Tell us about you!
  3. Writing Sample: A brief example of your writing, consisting of 1 or 2 separate pieces/excerpts and totaling no more than 5,000 words. Don’t feel obligated to fill the word count if you can wow us with less! Samples can be stories, poems, novel excerpts, or creative non-fiction.


Save the package as a single Word document (.doc, .docx, or .rtf will be accepted) with the filename SiWCScholarship_YourName (eg SiWCScholarship_JaneDoe.doc). Send it to diversityscholarship@siwc.ca with the subject line “SiWC Diversity Scholarship Application”

 

Terms and Conditions

  • Family members of the SiWC board or staff may not apply.
  • This award is not transferable. If a successful applicant is unable to attend the conference for any reason, they are required to contact the awards committee immediately. They are welcome to reapply in subsequent years.
  • The costs of transportation to and from the conference and accommodation are not included in this award.
  • There is no cost to apply for this award.
  • Prizes must be accepted as awarded. Award committee decisions are final.

Please remember to include everything in one email. Thanks for your interest in SiWC and the SiWC Diversity Scholarship! Best of luck with your application.

 

DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 15 of the conference year at 10pm Pacific. Winners will be notified by September 27.

The SiWC Scholarship for a Black Writer

Information and Entry Rules The SiWC Scholarship for a Black Writer offers a full conference pass to SiWC. This scholarship hopes to make SiWC accessible to an attendee who would not otherwise be able to attend. It is open to any writer, age 19 and over, who requires financial assistance to attend SiWC and identifies as Black. To apply, please complete the following application package. (Note that if you are applying for the Diversity Scholarship as well, you are welcome to use the same application package. Please send your package twice using the subject line specified for each scholarship to be considered for both scholarships.)

  1. Cover Sheet: include the following information:
    1. Name
    2. Email
    3. Phone number
    4. Address
    5. Age (must be 19 or older by August 31 of the conference year)
  2. Personal Essay: A 450-700 word personal essay explaining why you are a good candidate for the scholarship. Why are you interested in attending? What are your writing aspirations? Tell us about you!
  3. Writing Sample: A brief example of your writing, consisting of 1 or 2 separate pieces/excerpts and totaling no more than 5,000 words. Don’t feel obligated to fill the word count if you can wow us with less! Samples can be stories, poems, novel excerpts, or creative non-fiction.

Save the package as a single Word document (.doc, .docx, or .rtf will be accepted) with the filename SiWCScholarship_YourName (eg SiWCScholarship_JaneDoe.doc). Send it to diversityscholarship@siwc.ca with the subject line “SiWC Black Writer Scholarship Application” Terms and Conditions

  • Family members of the SiWC board or staff may not apply.
  • This award is not transferable. If a successful applicant is unable to attend the conference for any reason, they are required to contact the awards committee immediately. They are welcome to reapply in subsequent years.
  • The costs of transportation to and from the conference and accommodation are not included in this award.
  • There is no cost to apply for this award.
  • Prizes must be accepted as awarded. Award committee decisions are final.

Please remember to include everything in one email. Thanks for your interest in SiWC and the SiWC scholarships! Best of luck with your application. DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 15 of the conference year at 10pm Pacific. Winners will be notified by September 27.