The Iceland Writers Retreat in Reykjavik is accepting applications for the Alumni Award 2027 scholarships. Winners receive fully funded participation in the retreat, with full scholarship recipients also receiving round-trip airfare and four nights of hotel accommodation. Writers from any country, including Kazakhstan, are eligible to apply; previous publications and experience are not required.
Applications are accepted until October 15, 2026, at 23:59 GMT (which corresponds to October 16 at 04:59 Astana time). The retreat convenes on April 14, 2027.
What the Scholarship Covers
Organizers offer two tiers of scholarship support.
- Full Scholarship: standard retreat registration package (five small-group workshops and a full-day guided excursion through Iceland), four nights of lodging in Reykjavik, and round-trip economy flights from a major international airport.
- Partial Scholarship: retreat registration package only. Flights, lodging, and transfers are self-funded by the participant.
The scholarship does not cover ground transfers, travel insurance, visa fees, or dining outside program events. Iceland is part of the Schengen Zone, meaning Kazakh citizens will require a Schengen visa, which must be self-funded and arranged independently.
Number of Scholarships Available
Organizers do not specify an exact number of awards for 2027, referencing “several full and partial scholarships.” In past cycles, between three and six recipients were selected annually: five in 2024, six in 2025, and four in 2026. Previous winners include authors from Nigeria, India, Brazil, and Kenya.
Eligibility Criteria
- Writers from any country who will be at least 18 years old on April 14, 2027;
- All writing backgrounds are welcome; previous publishing history is not required;
- Applicants must demonstrate that they could not otherwise afford to attend (acknowledgment of financial need).
Immediate family members of the judging panel and past attendees of the Iceland Writers Retreat are not eligible to apply.
Required Application Materials
- A statement of impact detailing what the retreat would mean for the author;
- A writing sample of up to 1,000 words: fiction, creative non-fiction, or memoir;
- Two letters of recommendation submitted in PDF format;
- Proof of financial need.
A non-refundable application fee of $10 USD is required without exception. Submissions must be submitted exclusively through icelandwriters.awardsplatform.com.
Key Deadlines
- October 16, 2026, 04:59 Astana time (Oct 15, 23:59 GMT): submission deadline;
- Late November 2026: recipient notifications announced;
- April 14, 2027: retreat begins in Reykjavik.
Program Profile in the RAEM Grants Directory
