Hunt Fellowship in Public Writing 2027: $80,000 Funding for Anthropologists to Write Nonfiction Books for General Audiences

Overview

The Hunt Fellowship in Public Writing is an initiative offered by the Wenner-Gren Foundation to support anthropologists in transforming their research and scholarly insights into compelling nonfiction books for general audiences. The program provides dedicated funding and time to help scholars communicate anthropological knowledge beyond academic institutions and into broader public conversations, addressing the common challenges of limited funding and competing professional responsibilities.

Who can apply

Eligible applicants include scholars with doctorates in anthropology as well as independent scholars working on book-length nonfiction projects. There are no restrictions based on nationality, country of residence, or institutional affiliation. The program also encourages applications from earlier-career scholars to help establish public scholarship as part of their professional development.

What you get

Selected participants receive $80,000 in funding for nine months of focused writing to develop a book-length project. In addition to the financial support, recipients are required to participate in a writing craft workshop held during the summer preceding the start of the fellowship.

Requirements

Applicants must propose a serious, research-based nonfiction book in anthropology intended for a general, nonacademic audience. Eligible books may be written in any language, provided they target a general readership. The application itself must be submitted in English and proceeds through two stages, starting with a Letter of Interest followed by a full proposal for those who are invited.

Key dates

The deadline to submit the initial Letter of Interest is October 15. Applicants who are invited to the second stage must submit their full proposal by December 15. The fellowship officially begins on September 1 of the following year, preceded by a summer writing craft workshop.