The Black Writers Fellowship: Researcher is an opportunity for a Black writer to research and write a long-form article to be published in Hand Papermaking magazine. Hand Papermaking initiated the Black Writers Fellowship Program in 2020 as one of several corrective steps to better fulfill our goal to truly reflect the full breadth of work in our field. Past recipients are: Cheryl Edwards (2020-21 Black Writers Fellow: Reporter) profile article on the artist Preston Sampson in the Summer 2021 issue; Keren Alfred (2020–21 Black Writers Fellowship: Researcher) who shared her investigations of breadfruit as a papermaking fiber in the Summer 2022 issue; Payton Harris-Woodard (2021–22 Black Writers Fellow), whose interview with Howardena Pindell appeared in the Winter 2022 issue of the magazine; Gimbiya Kettering (2022–23 Black Writers Fellowship: Reporter) who profiled the artist Cheryl E. Edwards in the Summer 2023 issue; and sadé powell (2022–2024 Black Writers Fellowship: Researcher) who interviewed established and emerging Black papermaking artists for her article that appeared in the Summer 2024 issue; Talia Kimberly Wright (2025–2026 Black Writers Fellowship: Researcher) explored the material history of cotton and traveled with an African American papermaker to connect with Black cotton farmers in North Carolina. The 2026 Black Writer Fellow, Alexis McKenney is interviewing a root worker and papermaker about the use of hand papermaking for the creation and use of Hoodoo Petition Papers in the American South.

‍This RFP outlines the 2027 Black Writers Fellowship: Researcher opportunity and application guidelines.

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 form here to learn more about the 2027 Black Writers Fellowship.

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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2027 APPLICATION GUIDELINES for Black Writers Fellowship: Researcher

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility is limited to self-identified Black writers.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must submit:

• A cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• A research proposal and an outline for carrying out the study or project; 600-word maximum. Include a description of proposed research methods. 
• Two relevant writing samples (can be but not limited to essays, research papers, excerpts from dissertation); not to exceed 3,000 words in total. (writing samples that exceed the word limit will not be considered)
• Prepare all materials in one PDF and email to bwfresearcher@handpapermaking.org

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

Thursday, November 5, 2026, 5pm ET.

Submissions will be acknowledged by email.

SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION PROCESS

Selection will be based on the demonstration of the applicant’s capacity to successfully address the criteria noted above. A final pool of candidates will be interviewed, and the 2027 Black Writers Fellowship: Researcher will be announced in early January 2027. Jurors’ names will be made public following the announcement of the selected Researcher.

FELLOWSHIP TIMELINE

After the Researcher is announced, they will work with the magazine editor and fellowship coordinator to establish a work plan, budget, and detailed timeline. The following is a rough outline of the deadlines.

Thursday, November 5, 2026 Submission Deadline

Nov 29 - Dec 13, 2026 Scheduled Interviews

Early January 2027 Announce Fellow

Monday, November 8, 2027 First Draft Deadline

Monday, December 6, 2027 Final Draft Deadline

Thursday, June 15, 2028 Magazine Distribution

Friday, June 30, 2028 Fellowship Debrief

Hand Papermaking Black Writers Fellowship: Researcher will receive:

• A $1000 award
• Fellowship stipend of up to $1,000
• Opportunity for a published article in Hand Papermaking magazine, Summer 2028 issue
• Exposure of your research and writing to a global community of hand papermakers, artists, scholars, and professionals through our print and online publications
• Opportunities for career advancement through connections with Hand Papermaking’s network as well as professional development experiences
• Increased knowledge and skills in the editorial process and scholarly publication field through a collaborative working relationship with Hand Papermaking magazine editor Mina Takahashi.

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