The Africa Institute, Global Studies University is now accepting applications for the Tejumola Olaniyan Creative Writers-in-Residence Fellowship, a prestigious residency programme dedicated to supporting creative writers whose work engages Africa and the African diaspora across genres and forms. The 2026 open call invites writers to join a vibrant intellectual and artistic community in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, for a fully funded three-month residency. Established in honour of the late Tejumola Olaniyan, a distinguished Nigerian scholar and literary critic, the fellowship celebrates his enduring legacy of intellectual depth, creativity, and commitment to expanding African and African diaspora narratives. The programme aligns closely with The Africa Institute’s mission as a globally oriented centre for research, postgraduate study, and critical discourse on Africa and its worldwide connections. About the Fellowship Tejumola Olaniyan Creative Writers-in-Residence Fellowship Since its launch in Fall 2022, the Tejumola Olaniyan Creative Writers-in-Residence Fellowship has hosted acclaimed writers from across the world, fostering creative exchange, scholarship, and cross-cultural dialogue. Hosted in Sharjah—an important nexus of African-Arab cultural interaction—the residency provides a dynamic environment for sustained creative work and intellectual engagement. The fellowship welcomes novelists, short story writers, playwrights, poets, and scriptwriters, working in all forms and genres, whose projects engage themes related to Africa and the African diaspora. Projects may be new works or works in progress and must be feasible for completion within the residency period. Fellowship Award and Benefits Each selected fellow will receive a total grant of AED 50,000 for the duration of the residency. This comprehensive support package includes: Accommodation in Sharjah, UAE Return airfare ticket Visa support Monthly stipend of AED 10,000 for three months The residency typically begins in the fall of each year and requires fellows to be based in Sharjah for the full three-month period to complete their proposed projects. Creative Output and Publication Opportunities Fellows will have the opportunity to publish their completed work through The Africa Institute’s publications programme. Projects related to theatre and film scripts may also be published as texts or receive institutional support toward facilitating productions. The programme prioritises projects that combine artistic originality with intellectual and cultural significance. Proposed projects may be written in Arabic or English, though submissions in other languages will also be considered. Selection Process All applications are reviewed by a selection committee composed of The Africa Institute’s faculty and fellows. A total of three fellows will be selected for the 2026 cohort based on: The quality, originality, and relevance of the proposed project The project’s engagement with Africa and/or the African diaspora The demonstrated feasibility of completing the work within the residency timeframe About Tejumola Olaniyan Tejumola Olaniyan was a Nigerian academic and literary scholar, serving as the Louise Durham Mead Professor of English and African Cultural Studies and the Wole Soyinka Professor of the Humanities at the University of Wisconsin. His scholarship spanned African and African diaspora literature, postcolonial studies, cultural theory, drama, music, and popular culture. His influential works include Arrest the Music!: Fela and His Rebel Art and Politics and Scars of Conquest/Masks of Resistance, alongside several co-edited volumes that reshaped the study of African literature and performance. Olaniyan’s interdisciplinary approach continues to inspire new generations of scholars and writers. Application Process and Deadline Applications for the 2026 fellowship must be submitted online only through The Africa Institute’s application platform. Submissions sent via email will not be accepted. Applicants should ensure that each uploaded attachment does not exceed 3 MB. Application Deadline: Sunday, 1 March 2026 Number of Fellows Selected: Three Applicants are encouraged to review the detailed eligibility criteria, application requirements, and submission guidelines available on the application portal before applying. Contact Information For questions or clarifications regarding the application process, please contact:applications@theafricainstitute.org The Tejumola Olaniyan Creative Writers-in-Residence Fellowship offers a rare opportunity for writers to deepen their craft, engage critically with Africa and its diaspora, and contribute to shaping new literary and intellectual paradigms within a globally connected cultural space. LEARN MORE HERE For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the official organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.