The A.C. Bose Grant for South Asian Speculative Writers ($1,500)
The A.C. Bose Grant for South Asian Speculative Literature, administered by the Speculative Literature Foundation (SLF), is now open annually from January 1 to January 31, offering $1,500 USD to support writers developing speculative fiction.
Established in memory of Ashim Chandra Bose and co-sponsored by SLF and DesiLit, the grant honors Bose’s lifelong love of science fiction and fantasy. His children, Rupa Bose and Gautam Bose, founded the award to encourage imaginative writing that helps young people envision new worlds and possibilities.
Who Can Apply for the A.C. Bose Grant?
The grant is open to South Asian and Desi diaspora writers, including those from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Writers creating work accessible to older children and teens are given special consideration, though all speculative projects are welcome.
Speculative literature, as defined by SLF, includes genres ranging from science fiction and fantasy to magical realism, horror, folklore, and slipstream. If you’re unsure whether your project qualifies, this guide on what speculative fiction is and how it works offers helpful clarity.
Grant Details
- Award amount: $1,500 USD
- Application window: January 1–31 (UTC -4)
- Winner announced: March
- Frequency: Annual
Recent winners may reapply, but applications from those who have received the grant within the last two years are considered lower priority to allow broader access.
Application Requirements for the A.C. Bose Grant
Applicants must submit the following during the open window:
1. A cover letter
This should include a brief autobiographical statement (under 500 words), details about your writing background, and a bibliography if applicable. You don’t need prior publication credits to apply. If you’re unsure about structure or length, this breakdown of how long a cover letter should be for writing submissions is especially useful.
2. A writing sample
Submit up to 5,000 words of speculative fiction. If the excerpt is part of a longer work, include a one-page synopsis at the beginning of the document.
Many applicants also benefit from reviewing strong statement of purpose examples to better articulate the goals and significance of their project.
Selection Process
Jurors evaluate submissions based on literary merit. Finalists are notified in March, and winners are asked to provide:
- A short excerpt from their work
- A 500–1,000 word autobiographical statement for publication on SLF platforms
The jury’s decision is final.
Accessibility
Writers who cannot use the online application form due to accessibility concerns may request an alternative submission method by emailing grants@speculativeliterature.
Why This Grant Matters
Past recipients consistently describe the A.C. Bose Grant as both financial support and creative validation—offering time, focus, and encouragement to continue developing ambitious speculative projects.
For South Asian writers working in speculative modes, the A.C. Bose Grant remains one of the most meaningful opportunities to gain recognition, funding, and confidence in their work.
