Life-changing opportunity for early-career writers with launch of £19k Harper-Wood Award
Up to £19,215 in funding available for award-holder from 1 October 2025
St John’s College, Cambridge is offering poets and authors at the start of their careers the chance to spend a paid year overseas with the launch of the prestigious 2025-2026 Harper-Wood Creative Writing and Travel Award for English Poetry and Literature.
Applications open on Wednesday 19 February 2025 for the award, which was established by the College in 1949 to inspire an undertaking of creative writing by making it possible for the holder to engage in relevant, project-related travel and study.
Held for one year, the award is intended primarily for creative writers in the initial stages of their careers. Applications are encouraged from those whose work has not yet achieved book-length publication, such as a novel, book of short stories, poetry collection or play. At the time of election, candidates must be a graduate of any university in the UK, Ireland, the Commonwealth or the USA.
The current Harper-Wood Award-holder is Hal Coase, a poet and playwright based in Rome, who took over from 2023-2024 award-holder Mukahang Limbu in October.
Other past Harper-Wood Award-holders include Thom Gunn, Michael Hofmann, Giles Foden, Amit Chaudhuri, Gaby Wood, Sarah Howe, Isabella Hammad, Erin Soros and Anthony Vahni Capildeo.
All or part of the year of tenure should be spent in a country outside the United Kingdom. The award-holder is expected to engage in a course of study or research, not necessarily attached to a university or other institution, leading to the production of original fiction, poetry or drama.
The successful candidate’s tenureship is expected to begin on 1 October 2025. They will be admitted to membership of St John’s and be invited to visit the College at the end of their award year, to give one or more talks about their experience.
Funding will be determined by the College Council in light of the successful candidate’s qualifications and financial circumstances, up to a maximum of £19,215, to cover accommodation and other living expenses. Additional financial assistance is also available for the successful candidate to meet travel costs.
The competition opens on Wednesday 19 February 2025 and closes on Wednesday 23 April 2025 at 4pm.
Further Particulars and how to apply
The Harper-Wood Creative Writing and Travel Award
Published 10/2/2025