The CAS Writing Program is soliciting applications for Graduate Writing Fellowships from doctoral students currently in their fourth year of study. GRS has agreed to fund a number of two-year Graduate Writing Fellowships that will begin in Fall 2026 and include the expectation of a sixth year of funding in AY 27-28. These competitive fellowships provide GRS doctoral students with an opportunity to receive valuable training and experience while developing and teaching a writing course on a topic related to their discipline.

Terms and Conditions: Graduate Writing Fellows (GWFs) receive the standard Graduate School of Arts & Sciences stipend and benefits for funded PhD students. GWFs teach one first-year writing seminar (WR 120) per semester. GWFs must complete the following training and professional development requirements: (1) The spring before their first semester of teaching, GWFs must take Teaching Composition (GRS WR 698), a two-credit 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. (2) In Fall 2026 (during their first semester of Writing Program teaching), GWFs must take a Writing Pedagogy Training that guides them through their first semester of teaching in the Writing Program. It will also meet on Thursday afternoons from 3:30–4:45 p.m. GWFs are welcome but not required to attend other program events, such as workshops and 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 and Renewal: The Writing Program can only consider applications from students currently in year four of their doctoral programs. Because we offer writing seminars on topics from across the disciplines, we welcome applications not only from students in the humanities but also from students in the social and natural sciences. Awards are made on a semester-by-semester basis, with the expectation of renewal for up to three additional consecutive academic semesters (not including summer). GWFs are supervised jointly by the Writing Program and their home departments. Please be aware that the terms of this fellowship, per Graduate School policy, preclude graduate students from teaching an additional course at BU or elsewhere.

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.

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.

Graduate Writing Fellowship Application

  • The class year you will enter next fall, not your current class year
  • Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, Max. file size: 100 MB.
  • Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, Max. file size: 100 MB.
  • Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, Max. file size: 100 MB.
    An unofficial Student Link version is fine.
  • Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, Max. file size: 100 MB.

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.