In this time of necessary societal transformation, we recognize that Hand Papermaking has been operating within a culture that perpetuates social inequities. We are resolved in taking concrete steps so we may fulfill our role as the journal of record that truly reflects the full breadth of work in our field.
Deadline: November 5, 2026
The Black Writers Fellowship: Researcher is offered annually to a Black writer who proposes a research topic relevant to hand papermaking and indicates an ongoing investment in research and inquiry in the field. The article will be long-form and eligible for publication in Hand Papermaking magazine, Summer 2028 issue. The Researcher will receive a $1,000 award and a fellowship stipend of up to $1,000 for expenses incurred, including but not limited to research travel, resources, transcription or translation services, site visits, workshop or conference attendance, and other professional development opportunities. In addition, the Researcher will be supported by regular meetings with a fellowship coordinator and a collaborative working relationship with Hand Papermaking magazine editor Mina Takahashi. There is no fee to apply for this fellowship.
Please download the RFP here for guidelines to apply to the 2027 Black Writers Fellowship program.
Hand Papermaking will host a virtual FAQ session on Thursday, October 8, 7pm ET to answer questions from prospective applicants. To sign up for the session (or to let us know that you cannot make that date and time), email: bwfresearcher@handpapermaking.org by Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
For reference and inspiration, please review Hand Papermaking’s guiding principles and peruse the table of contents of recent magazine issues. To see two published Black Writers Fellowship: Researcher articles, these two are available during the application period: Payton Harris-Woodard’s interview with Howardena Pindell and sadé powell’s article on young Black emerging paper artists. You can search for topics published in the magazine’s history on the website. Applicants can receive up to two article PDFs if requested by October 15: bwfresearcher@handpapermaking.org.
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