The Malorie Blackman Scholarships for Unheard Voices (£1000)
Apply Now: The 2026–27 Malorie Blackman Scholarships for Unheard Voices
City Lit has opened applications for the 2026–27 Malorie Blackman Scholarships, an annual award designed to uplift unheard voices in writing. Each year, three emerging writers receive funding to pursue a full year of creative writing study at City Lit, supported by acclaimed author and award patron Malorie Blackman OBE.
These scholarships are rooted in one mission: to expand access, nurture potential, and open doors for writers who may not otherwise have the opportunity to develop their craft. Whether you’re polishing your first story, building a poetry collection, or shaping a script, this is a meaningful chance to grow as a writer in a supportive, community-driven environment.
What the Malorie Blackman Scholarships Offer
Each successful applicant receives up to £1,000 to spend on creative writing courses at City Lit between August 31st, 2026 and August 31st, 2027. Awardees also meet with the Writing Department to organise a personalised study plan—ensuring the year aligns with their creative goals.
City Lit highlights writing as a long-term journey. Many recipients describe the scholarship year as transformational, offering not just classes but inspiration, structure, and confidence. If you’ve been thinking about building a dedicated writing routine or carving out a personal creative space, this is a perfect next step. For additional guidance on nurturing your writing life, you can explore how writers thrive through creative corners and writing spots—a practice many City Lit students adopt.
Who Can Apply?
The scholarship is open to anyone with:
- A strong interest in writing
- Demonstrable talent and potential
- No agent or published book-length work
City Lit particularly welcomes applications from writers who identify as under-represented—including those from minority communities, disabled writers, LGBTQ+ writers, people from low-income backgrounds, and Black and Global Majority writers.
You do not need to be a past or current City Lit student to apply.
What You Need to Submit
Applicants must send:
- A piece of original writing
- Up to 500 words of prose
- Or up to 40 lines of poetry
- Or up to 5 pages of script
- Multiple shorter pieces are allowed
- Preferably submitted as one PDF
- A 300-word personal statement
- How you meet the selection criteria
- Your writing experience so far
- What you hope to study or develop during the scholarship year
The work is longlisted and shortlisted by the City Lit Writing team. Malorie Blackman selects the final three award winners from the shortlist.
This application process mirrors real-world writing opportunities—and engaging with it offers useful experience for anyone interested in the literary field. If you’re building a writing career, learning about the benefits of writing internships can also help deepen your understanding of creative development paths.
How to Apply
- Download the application form via Google Drive
- Submit your application form + writing sample to:
writing@citylit.ac.uk - You may also request a printed application form or assistance through the same email or via 020 4582 0415.
They will receive applications until 23:59 on February 8th, 2026.
They will announce their winners in May/June 2026.
Why the Malorie Blackman Scholarships Matter
Since the late 1980s, Malorie Blackman has maintained a long, meaningful connection with City Lit—as a student, an advocate, and a patron. With over fifty published books and a legacy of inspiring readers of all ages, her involvement signals the scholarship’s commitment to excellence, imagination, and accessibility.
The initiative exists because many aspiring writers still find themselves unheard within the literary world. These scholarships actively create space: space to learn, to experiment, to be mentored, and to grow.
