Application Deadline:
January 31, 2025
About Organisation
The A.C. Bose Grant for South Asian Speculative Literature is co-sponsored by the Speculative Literature Foundation (SLF) and DesiLit. In 2019, it was created to honor Ashim Chandra Bose, a science fiction and fantasy enthusiast. Bose’s children, Rupa and Gautam Bose, founded the grant to celebrate their father’s love for imaginative works. The initiative seeks to inspire young writers to explore speculative fiction, nurturing new voices in the genre from the South Asian and Desi diaspora.
About the Grant
The A.C. Bose Grant offers $1,000 annually to support South Asian or Desi diaspora writers developing speculative fiction. This genre spans a broad range, including science fiction, fantasy, horror, ghost stories, magical realism, and more. The award prioritizes works that are accessible to older children and teens. By fostering creative writing, the grant aims to inspire young minds to imagine new worlds and possibilities. The winner is selected based on the merit of their submitted work, with the recipient asked to submit an excerpt and a brief autobiographical statement for public sharing.
Who can Apply?
The A.C. Bose Grant is open to South Asian or Desi diaspora writers working in speculative fiction. Eligible applicants must be developing works in genres like science fiction, fantasy, or magical realism, among others. While previous publishing credits are not required, applicants must submit up to 5,000 words of fiction, with a synopsis for longer works. Preference is given to works accessible to older children and teens. Recent winners must wait at least two years to reapply, though they will be considered low-priority during this period.
How to Apply?
To apply, submit a cover letter with a short autobiographical statement (under 500 words), a bibliography (if applicable), and a writing sample of up to 5,000 words. The writing sample must be speculative fiction.
Application Deadline
The last date to submit applications is January 31, 2025, by 11:59 PM (UTC -4).
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
