Africans Rising has opened applications for the Borderless Africa Feminist Writing Fellowship 2026, centered on narrative sovereignty, knowledge justice, and feminist futures. It's open to feminist writers, journalists, researchers, poets, and storytellers from across Africa exploring who gets to tell Africa's stories and how those stories shape how people think about borders, mobility, citizenship, and belonging. It runs more like a learning journey than a writing competition, aimed at strengthening feminist voices working within storytelling and Pan-African integration.
Key Details
Applications close 20th July 2026. The fellowship includes a two-day in-person writing retreat. Location isn't specified yet, so confirm that once you apply. Applying is free.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility is wide here. Africans Rising is looking for feminist writers, journalists, bloggers, researchers, poets, creative writers, community storytellers, human rights defenders, students, young activists, and digital content creators. Your title or résumé matters less than your interest in feminist issues and social justice, some track record with African unity, mobility, citizenship, or Pan-Africanism, and real interest in storytelling, writing, research, or advocacy. No publication history is required, so writers who haven't been formally published but have something to say can still apply.
You do need to show up, both for the in-person retreat and the online learning sessions. Availability matters as much as writing talent.
What Fellows Receive
Fellows get the two-day retreat plus expert-led sessions on narrative sovereignty, feminist storytelling, knowledge justice, Pan-Africanism, free movement, and writing for advocacy. There's mentorship from feminist scholars, established writers, editors, and Pan-African practitioners, useful if you want real guidance instead of figuring it out alone.
Fellows also get editorial support to push their writing toward something publishable, and selected pieces may run on Borderless Africa's platforms and partner networks. Fellows join a network of feminist storytellers and advocates working across the continent, useful well past the fellowship itself.
Suggested Writing Areas
Suggested areas include narrative sovereignty, feminist knowledge production, free movement and mobility, citizenship and belonging, cross-border identities, women and migration, border communities, Pan-Africanism, language and cultural identity, digital storytelling, and feminist speculative writing.
Required Documents
Applicants are to send applications by email to campaigns@africans-rising.org: a short biography (250 words max), a statement of interest (500 words max) explaining your connection to feminist storytelling and African integration, and one writing sample.
Application Process
- Write your biography (max 250 words).
- Write your statement of interest (max 500 words).
- Pick one writing sample that best shows your voice.
- Email all three to campaigns@africans-rising.org.
- Submit before 20th July 2026.
Major Considerations
No publication record required means this is genuinely open to writers earlier in their career, not just established names. That said, the statement of interest and writing sample are probably carrying most of the weight in selection, so pick a sample that connects to the fellowship's themes rather than whatever's most recent or most polished. The deadline is close, so start with the writing sample. It usually takes longer to get right than the bio or statement.
Should You Apply?
This fits African writers, researchers, and storytellers at any career stage who care about feminist issues, Pan-Africanism, or migration and belonging, especially anyone who's never had paid mentorship to develop their writing. No publication history needed.
Disclaimer: Youth Gateway Africa shares these scholarships, fellowships, and grants for informational purposes only. We are not affiliated with, nor do we represent or owe any obligations on behalf of these external organizations. While we strive for accuracy, opportunities can change. Please exercise caution, verify details independently, and take full responsibility for your applications.
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