The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing (OCLW) at the University is delighted to announce that the call for applications for the inaugural Global Majority and Underrepresented Writers’ Programme (2025–26) is nowopen.

To ensure dedicated mentorship and a rich, supportive community, this highly selective programme offers eight funded places, each for one academic year, October 2025 to June 2026. Among the benefits offered, successful applicants will receive free membership of our weekly online writing feedback group and become OCLW Global Majority and Underrepresented Writing Scholars, a distinction they are encouraged to include on their CVs and professional biographies.

The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing has long played a central role in inspiring writers and researchers in the field of life-writing, helping them explore and develop their work. Through this new initiative, we aim to encourage and empower talented writers who are underrepresented both in our community and on our bookshelves, supporting them to establish themselves as successful authors.

We recognise the multiple barriers to writing and publication, particularly for individuals from backgrounds historically excluded from life-writing, publishing, and academia. This programme seeks to ensure that the future of life-writing authorship and research better reflects the broad and diverse range of voices that surround us.

This nine-month programme, launching in October 2025, is designed to provide skills training, mentorship, and opportunities to support participants in producing high-quality writing, building their confidence, and equipping them to navigate the publishing industry. We are committed to fostering a community where life-writers feel supported, celebrated, and connected to other researchers and professionals in the field.

For further particulars and details of how to apply, please consult the Call for Applications

Deadline: 12 pm (BST), Monday 16 June 2025

There is no application fee.

We anticipate a high volume of applications. We warmly encourage all eligible writers to apply, and we hope to expand our support for underrepresented life-writers in future years.

For any questions about the application process or programme, please contact the programme coordinator, Dr Eleri Anona Watson.