The Creative Writing Program sponsors several scholarships and organizers several contests of interest to emerging scholars and writers. The following are some of the ongoing opportunities in which currently enrolled MSU students can partake. Students are encouraged to sign up to receive up-to-date information of these opportunities here.
Awards & Contests
Annual Creative Writing Awards
The Department of English sponsors an annual contest for the absolute best original work in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, and playwriting. The prize monies vary by rank and year. The application portal and details can be accessed here.
Students’ Choice Awards
Writers’ Studio Award
Hyphens Essay Prize
Open to MSU seniors and graduate students, this prize is judged by a faculty jury. The application period varies by year and is often connected to the Annual HYPHENS Lecture series, which features arts practitioners (writers, filmmakers, performers) who undertake both creative and critical practices, including scholarship, pedagogy, community-oriented and activist undertakings beyond the academy. The prize honors writers who demonstrate a commitment to hyphenated intellectual and creative practices.
CREATE! Microgrant Initiative
The Creative Writing Program is the annual co-sponsor of and founding home for the CREATE! Microgrant initiative facilitated by the College of Arts & Letters Dean’s Arts Advisory Council (DAAC). The applications period typically opens at the end of the Spring semester. More information about this annual competition can he found here or you may reach out to the current members of the DAAC here.
Platt-Ruble & Athanason Award for Outstanding Student in Creative Writing
Scholarships of $1500 will be awarded to outstanding students in the creative writing program to be applied to tuition; any student in the creative writing program graduating December 2025 or later is eligible to apply. Submissions for scholarships for 2024-25 will be accepted through April 3, 2025 via Google Form.
Jim Cash Award for Outstanding Senior in Creative Writing
The Jim Cash Award honors graduating seniors in the Creative Writing Program. Applicants are nominated by faculty. There is no application process for this award.
Scholarships for Incoming Students
The Department of English offers up to three Creative Arts Scholarships for incoming students who plan to pursue the B.A. in English with a concentration in Creative Writing.
To apply, students should submit the following application, as well as a creative writing sample (5-10 pages of poetry, prose, or screen/playwriting, or a short film on DVD) and statement of intent (minimum of 500 words) regarding their interest in creative writing no later than the end of January every year. You may learn more here: https://admissions.msu.edu/documents/caschol_english.pdf
Complete applications should be submitted as either electronic documents to Dr. Divya Victor, Director of Creative Writing, at victordi@msu.edu or as hard copy to:
Department of English
c/o Dr. Divya Victor: Director of Creative Writing
Wells Hall C614
619 Red Cedar Rd.
East Lansing, MI 48824
All questions about awards and scholarships may be directed to Dr. Divya Victor (victordi@msu.edu).