Mophradat is a platform for Arab creative writers working in modern fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. This program is open to published writers who are working on a new manuscript for publication and require time to focus on its completion. Each participant will receive a stipend to allow them to devote time away from their regular responsibilities to accomplish their project.
Per open call, the initiative provides a short sabbatical period for two or more writers.
Benefits:
- The participant would receive an amount determined by Mophradat based on the local living costs in the writer’s country of residence, and covers a period from one month up to three months depending on the writer’s need.
- Applicants must have a publisher interested in their upcoming work (online or print. Independent publishers, periodicals, and other literary or cultural journals qualify).
- At the end of the sabbatical period, they will connect with one of the advisors (from the selection committee) for a feedback session concerning their manuscript.
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be from or living in the Arab world. Priority is given to those writing in Arabic and those based in the Arab world.
- Applicants must be authors of creative writing including fiction, poetry, criticism, essay, and other literary forms. These sabbaticals are not for academic writing, film, or journalism.
- Applicants must be published writers with at least two prior instances of publication (books, articles, essays etc.).
- Applicants must provide a letter of interest from a publisher for the new work they are about to complete during this sabbatical. Innovative proposals in method and form will be given priority.
- Applicants must commit to taking a leave from their day jobs for the entire sabbatical period (For those who are selected: if employed, a letter from their place of employment must be provided confirming the agreed time out).
Application:
- All applicants, whether selected or not, will receive a response to their applications by April 1, 2024.
- Upon selection, a grant agreement will be signed between the recipient and Mophradat.
- Funds will be released in a two-stage process: 70 percent when the agreement is signed, and the remaining 30 percent at the end of the sabbatical period upon submission of the completed manuscript and a short narrative summary of what was achieved.
- The grantee engages to visibly credit Mophradat for the publication of their work, and send copies of any printed material to its office in Brussels.
*Please note that due to the high volume of applications and the confidentiality of the selection process, Mophradat cannot provide individual feedback explaining the reason an application was not selected.
