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The Center for the Study of Science Fiction is pleased to offer a substantial
scholarship for studying or writing science fiction at the University of Kansas.
The Scholarship was given by a University of Kansas alumnae friendly to the
Center for the Study of Science Fiction and the English Department, and has been
given since 2009.
The Scholarship in Science Fiction Studies has a deadline to turn in all
materials to the KU English Department in mid-March. If the Scholarship
is not granted for this deadline, we will consider applicants until the start of
the Fall semester (late-August each year).
The Award consists of a substantial amount of money (sufficient to cover most
educational expenses for a year) funded by a generous donor who supports science
fiction, plus a $100 tuition reduction for the
Writer's Workshop.
The Center also offers the James E. Gunn Award for
Science Fiction Writing. Click here for more
information.
Additionally of interest to SF scholars if the
Heinlein Society Scholarship Program (not affiliated with the Center, but a
great way to help pay for your studies here).
Rules
- To apply for the Scholarship, submit the following to the University
of Kansas English Department by the deadline:
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A letter stating your name, address, resident status, graduate or
undergraduate status, and major (and any minor) field of study.
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A short essay (500 - 2500 words) about how you would use and benefit from a
scholarship in the study of or the writing
of science fiction (or both). What could this scholarship help you do that
you couldn't afford otherwise?
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To be considered by the first deadline, you must ensure that all materials
have arrived at the English Department by (not postmarked by) mid-March.
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You can find the .pdf instructions for all the
English awards online here.
- We have two submission deadlines: The primary deadline is in the Spring,
and the secondary deadline - if funds remain - for incoming Fall students is
prior to the start of classes. If you need more details, contact
Chris McKitterick. The first deadline to turn in all materials to the KU
English Department is mid-March. If we do not award the
scholarship during the first segment, we will consider late submissions,
especially for new, incoming students to KU.
- This is a scholarship to study science fiction or write science fiction.
For some of the definitions of SF, check the Web. Also read
James Gunn's essay on the Protocols of Science
Fiction for more insight. The scholarship is for either writers or
scholars.
- We may award one deserving student or two per year, depending on
qualifications.
- All current or incoming KU students - traditional or non-traditional -
are eligible to apply for the scholarship.
- Both Kansas residents and non-residents are eligible to apply for the
scholarship, though preference goes to Kansas residents.
- You may apply for the scholarship each year, but preference goes to new
applicants.
The Award
- A substantial monetary award that could cover most educational expenses.
- A tuition reduction of $100 for the summer Writer's Workshop.
This must be used within 18 months of the applicant winning the Scholarship in
Science Fiction Studies.
- Your name and story title posted here for all to see! If you want to
publish it here, as well, we will be happy to do so; however, we always
encourage writers to try to sell their work before posting it to the
internet.
The winner is announced during the English Department Awards Ceremony
in May. Below are the SF Scholarship winners to date:
2012
(No Award)
2011
Isaac Bell
In addition to helping pay for studying SF at KU, Isaac used his
scholarship to help start
James Gunn's Ad Astra
journal.
2010
Benjamin Cartwright
Ben used his scholarship to cover not just the
Speculative Fiction Writing Workshop, but also the
SF/F/H Novel Writing Workshop, and the
Science Fiction Institute - all in the same
summer!
2009
Melissa Lytton
Melissa used her scholarship to help cover financial needs at KU and also
to purchase hardware and software to enable her to get started on her
(now-flourishing!) career in book design.
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