The Just Buffalo Writing Center Youth Fellowship offers a motivated young writer the opportunity to develop their craft and explore professional avenues within the literary arts.
The selected fellow will work with a mentor, be encouraged to develop their unique voice as a creative writer and thinker, and present a creative writing project to be completed over the course of the summer fellowship. The fellowship includes a $1,200 stipend.
The fellowship takes place during the months of July and August 2021. This year, the youth fellowship will be conducted entirely online.
Deadline for Application: now closed
Eligibility: Open to WNY-based youth (ages 15-18)
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: June 30, 2021
- Notification Date: The winning Fellow will be announced in early July 2020
- Residency Period: July 12, 2021–August 2021
Criteria for Eligibility
- Open to WNY-based youth (ages 15-18)
- All genres are welcome, including fiction, non-fiction, playwriting, or poetry
- The applicant should demonstrate active engagement as a writer
- Only one proposal may be submitted per person—joint applications or collaborations are not permitted
- There are no educational requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the fellowship?
The fellowship is open to Western New York youth between the ages of 15–18. You can apply using the form at the bottom of this page.
What constitutes a completed creative writing project?
The Fellow is asked to complete and present a creative writing project, which can be written and performed in any genre. Examples of completed creative writing projects include a chapbook, album/EP, etc. The presentation of the work could come in the form of a virtual reading, a handmade zine or chapbook for distribution, submitting work for publication, a social media/website/blog project, guerilla-style in the community, or video/audio recording.
How is the winning Fellow selected?
The writing sample is the most important component of the application. Application materials will be reviewed and voted on, which will produce a smaller pool for each round until the winning Fellow has been selected.
When will the winner of the fellowship be announced?
Applications will be reviewed in June and early July, with the Fellow announced in early July 2021.
What about COVID-19?
This year, the summer fellowship will be entirely online.
More Questions About the Fellowship?
- Email nfalck@justbuffalo.org with “Fellowship Question” in your subject line
Apply Now
Applications for the JBWC Youth Fellowship are now open! Apply using the form below.
Just Buffalo Literary Center (JBLC) actively encourages proposals from artists of all races, religions, gender expressions, sexual orientations, and national origins. Applicants must be between the ages of 15-18 and live in Western New York.
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: June 30, 2021
- Notification Date: The winning Fellow will be announced in early July 2020
- Residency Period: July 12, 2020–August 2020
Criteria for Eligibility
- Open to WNY-based youth (ages 15-18)
- All genres are welcome, including fiction, non-fiction, playwriting, or poetry
- The applicant should demonstrate active engagement as a writer
- Only one proposal may be submitted per person—joint applications or collaborations are not permitted
- There are no educational requirements
JBWC Youth Fellows
2020
Zanaya Hussain
Fiona Stewart
2018
Maya Simmons
Trinity Ridout