Ugandan women residing in Uganda or another African country are eligible. Applicants must identify as women, be at least 18 years old, currently reside in an African country, be available for the full six-week virtual fellowship and be willing and able to travel to Lagos for the three-day residency subject to visa requirements and programme funding. Applicants must communicate and write in English and demonstrate an interest in creative nonfiction. Previous publication is not required, and emerging, mid-career and established writers may apply. Submitted work must be original and unpublished, although simultaneous submissions are permitted if the Foundation is notified when a sample is accepted elsewhere.

The inaugural Abebi AfroNonfiction Fellowship brings together African women writers for six weeks of creative nonfiction development. Fellows participate in seminars, craft workshops, reading discussions and editorial sessions before a three-day Lagos residency, public literary event and anthology publication.

Benefits
Ten writers will be selected. Fellows receive six weeks of weekly seminars, creative-writing craft workshops, reading discussions and editorial mentorship led by African writers, editors and scholars. The programme culminates in a three-day residency in Lagos, a public reading and literary symposium and publication in the inaugural Abebi AfroNonfiction Fellowship Anthology. Three cohort places are reserved for Nigerian writers, while the remaining seven are filled through continental selection. The provider states that Lagos participation is subject to visa requirements and programme funding and does not publish a cash stipend or guaranteed travel reimbursement.

Requirements
Applicants must submit a 500-word essay proposal explaining the questions and territory they intend to explore; one original unpublished creative-nonfiction writing sample of no more than 1,000 words; a short biography of no more than 150 words; and a statement of commitment of no more than 250 words explaining why they want to participate and what they will contribute to the cohort. Only one application may be submitted. Applications are assessed for literary quality, originality, strength and feasibility of the proposed essay, curiosity and intellectual ambition and potential contribution to the fellowship community.

How to apply
Prepare the 500-word essay proposal, creative-nonfiction sample of up to 1,000 words, biography of up to 150 words and commitment statement of up to 250 words. Complete the official online application form linked directly by the Abebi AfroNonfiction Foundation and submit one application by 2026-09-12.