The CAS Writing Program invites applications for Graduate Writing Fellowships from doctoral students in College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) departments and programs who are currently in their G2-G5 years. These competitive fellowships provide recipients with an opportunity to receive valuable pedagogical training and experience while developing and teaching writing seminars on topics related to their respective disciplines. Because Writing Program courses span the disciplines, the program welcomes applications from doctoral students in any of CAS’s divisions: humanities, mathematical and computational sciences, natural sciences, and social sciences.

Terms: Graduate Writing Fellows (GWFs) teach one first-year writing seminar as assigned by the Writing Program director (typically WR 120) each semester they hold the fellowship. GWFs receive the standard Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GRS) stipend and benefits for funded PhD students. The fellowship does not cover summer teaching or service. Per GRS policy, GWFs may not teach additional courses at BU or elsewhere while they hold this fellowship. Doctoral students beyond the G6 year are ineligible to hold a Graduate Writing Fellowship.

Training and Supervision: GWFs are supervised jointly by the Writing Program and their home departments or programs. Fellowship recipients must complete the following training and professional development requirements:

  • In Spring 2026 (the spring before their first semester of Writing Program teaching), GWFs must take GRS WR 698 Teaching Composition, a two-unit seminar designed to prepare them for their fall teaching assignments. Tuition for this course is covered by the fellowship. In Spring 2026, WR 698 will meet on Thursday afternoons from 3:30–4:45 p.m.
  • In Fall 2026 (their first semester of Writing Program teaching), GWFs must participate in a writing pedagogy training that will guide them through their first semester of teaching in the Writing Program. This training is part of the twenty hours of work/week required of funded doctoral students in CAS/GRS. The training will meet on Thursday afternoons from 3:30–4:45 p.m.

Program Participation: Current GWFs, and also prospective GWFs enrolled in WR 698, are welcome but not required to attend other program events, such as workshops, faculty seminars, program talks, and social events. Current GWFs are also welcome to attend Writing Program faculty meetings. GWFs who participate in mentoring and a Writing Program faculty seminar and create a teaching portfolio are eligible for a Graduate Certificate in Teaching Writing.

Eligibility: Doctoral students in CAS departments and programs who are currently in their G2-G5 years are eligible to apply as described below.

Doctoral students currently in the G5 year may apply for one academic year of support. Any current G5 student selected to receive the GWF will be expected to:

    • complete WR 698 in Spring 2026 (this course will have a remote option for prospective GWFs who are not in residence);
    • teach one course in the Writing Program as assigned by the program director in each semester of the 2026-2027 academic year (Fall 2026 and Spring 2027).

Doctoral students currently in the G4 year may apply for two academic years of support. Any current G4 student selected for the fellowship will be expected to:

    • complete WR 698 in Spring 2026;
    • teach one course in the Writing Program as assigned by the program director in each semester of the 2026-2027 academic year (Fall 2026 and Spring 2027);
    • teach one course in the Writing Program as assigned by the program director in each semester of the 2027-2028 academic year (Fall 2027 and Spring 2028).

Doctoral students currently in years G2-G3 may apply for two academic years of support. Any current G2-G3 student selected for the fellowship will be expected to:

    • complete WR 698 in Spring 2026;
    • teach one course in the Writing Program as assigned by the program director in each semester of the 2026-2027 academic year (Fall 2026 and Spring 2027);
    • teach one course in the Writing Program as assigned by the program director in each semester of either the 2027-2028 academic year (Fall 2027 and Spring 2028) or the 2028-2029 academic year (Fall 2028 and Spring 2029).

Renewal: Awards are made on a semester-by-semester basis; renewal is contingent on successful teaching and job performance in prior semesters of service. 

Please note that the above terms and conditions are for this year’s application cycle only. We cannot guarantee that the terms and conditions of the fellowship, including its eligibility criteria, will not be changed in future years.

 

Information Session: The Writing Program will host a virtual information session for prospective applicants on Friday October 17, 3:30-4:30. For further details about the Zoom meeting, please complete this web form.

The date to register for the information session has passed.

Application Procedure: Applications are due October 27.

    • A letter of application of no more than 500 words, addressed to Director Sarah Madsen Hardy, discussing your reasons for wishing to teach in the Writing Program, your teaching experience, work you have done in supporting other writers, your academic or research interests, and your progress toward degree. We are especially interested in hearing how the fellowship will contribute to your broader professional preparation.
    • A curriculum vitae and current graduate transcript (unofficial version is fine).
    • A 15–25-page writing sample taken from your recent academic work.

Applications for 2026-2027 Graduate Writing Fellowships are no longer being accepted. The deadline for submission has passed.

Questions regarding the application process or the competition in general should be sent to writing@bu.edu. We will interview select applicants in mid-November and notify all applicants of our decisions in early December.