The Writing Worlds Scholarship 2026-7

Who Gets to Tell the Stories That Shape Our World?

Every year, I meet extraordinary writers through my cohort programs.

Storytellers who are extraordinary not only because of what they have survived, but also because of how they think. How they observe. How they imagine. How they continue writing despite circumstances that would silence many of us.

Yet every cohort brings the same difficult reality.

Many of the strongest applicants cannot afford to participate because conflict, displacement, family responsibilities, or economic circumstances have placed opportunities like this beyond their reach.

Applications received this year from:
  • Afghanistan
  • Sudan
  • South Africa
  • Iraq
  • Pakistan
  • Egypt
  • India
  • Kazakhstan
  • Angola
  • United States
  • And many more

For some, the barrier is war. For others, it is the responsibility of supporting family members. For others still, the exchange rate alone turns a USD 350 program into an impossible expense. These are writers determined to tell stories that deserve to exist.

This is why the Writing Worlds Scholarship came into being.

Every scholarship represents more than a place in a course. It represents another perspective entering the global conversation; another voice refusing to be silenced by circumstance. Because who gets to tell our stories ultimately shapes how the world understands itself.

USD 350 Sponsors one full scholarship to a cohort program
USD 175 Contributes half a scholarship

More information on the programs can be found in Frequently Asked Questions below.

Every contribution helps ensure that talent and resilience, not privilege, determine who gets to learn, write, and be heard.

Support a Writing Worlds scholar

Frequently Asked Questions

  • $175 contributes a half scholarship
    $350 funds one full scholarship
    $700 funds two scholars
    Any amount helps expand access to the program

  • The fee reflects the time, preparation, facilitation, personalised feedback and community experience that each participant receives over the duration of the program. It allows the program to be delivered sustainably while maintaining a high-quality learning experience.

  • A lower fee would make it difficult to sustain the program and continue offering it at the level of care and depth it deserves.

    The scholarship allows those who are able to pay to help create opportunities for those who cannot.

  • The scholarship isn't designed to replace paid participation. It's there to remove barriers for writers who have the ability and commitment but genuinely lack the financial means to join.

  • Scholarships are awarded based on financial need. Applicants are asked to submit a letter from an independent source, attesting to their circumstances.

    The goal is to support writers whose circumstances—not their ability—would otherwise prevent them from participating.

  • Absolutely.

    Every $350 sponsors one full scholarship, and larger gifts allow more writers to participate.

  • From September 2026 through December 2027, Nandita will be offering a range of cohort programs as United World College short courses:

    • Writing Women's Worlds: memoir, for women, ages 16+

    • Writing Our Worlds: memoir, ages 16+

    • Writing Imagined Worlds: fiction, ages 16+

    Each of these programs follows the same structure: twelve weeks of weekly, two-hour virtual group meetings; sixty minutes of one-on-one sessions with Nandita; final presentations.

  • In addition to finishing their course with a near-complete project, these cohort programs build a range of life skills:

    • Interpersonal and intercultural competency: connecting with and learning from an intergenerational, geographically diverse cohort

    • Storytelling skills for life: practicing and evolving the skill of storytelling — enabling participants to influence culture, empathy, education and conversation in their personal and professional lives (beyond the practice of writing).

  • Donations are securely processed through our fiscal sponsor, Omprakash. You can contribute using credit or debit card, bank transfer, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

    You can make a one-time donation or set up recurring support on our Donate page.

  • Because some storytellers live in politically sensitive or conflict-affected regions, we can't share their names directly — their privacy and safety come first. Instead, scholarship supporters receive anonymized stories and reflections from the program, along with invitations to celebrate the work it makes possible.

  • Because this isn't just access to education. It's access to authorship.

    You're investing in people whose ideas, stories and perspectives may shape how others understand the world.

  • Yes, if you are a US-based donor. As of 25 September 2026, all donations to Writing Worlds are tax-deductible thanks to our fiscal sponsor, Omprakash.

  • Great question. Every year, supporters receive an impact report summarising:

    • Number of scholarships funded

    • Countries represented

    • Anonymous participant reflections

    • Writing outcomes and highlights from the program