Iceland Writers Retreat Alumni Award 2027 (Fully Funded Writing Retreat in Iceland)
A fully funded award for writers to attend the Iceland Writers Retreat 2027 in Reykjavík. Covers the retreat fee, accommodation, and round-trip flights. Open to writers worldwide. Apply by October 15, 2026.
What is the Iceland Writers Retreat?
The Iceland Writers Retreat (IWR) is an international gathering for writers, held every spring in Reykjavík, Iceland. Participants take small-group writing classes with acclaimed authors and explore Iceland's literary culture and dramatic landscapes.
It's run by a small Icelandic non-profit, co-founded by Eliza Reid and Erica Green.
What is the Alumni Award?
The Alumni Award is the retreat's scholarship programme. It's funded by past participants and friends of the retreat, who donate so that writers from around the world who couldn't otherwise afford to attend can join.
For 2027, the fundraising campaign was successful, so full and partial awards are available.
Important dates
- Applications opened: September 16, 2026
- Application deadline: October 15, 2026, 11:59 PM GMT
- Recipients chosen: by late November 2026
- Retreat begins: April 14, 2027, in Reykjavík, Iceland
What does the award cover?
You can apply for either full or partial funding.
Full funding covers:
- The standard retreat package (5 writing classes and 1 day trip)
- Four nights of accommodation in Reykjavík
- Round-trip airfare from a major international airport
Partial funding covers:
- The standard retreat package only (no flights or accommodation)
Not included: airport transfers, travel insurance, visa costs, and meals or extras not in the itinerary. The retreat will provide supporting letters for visa applications.
Far more people apply for full funding, so choose the category that genuinely fits your situation.
Who can apply?
- Writers aged 18 or older by April 14, 2027
- Writers from any country and all backgrounds
- Writers at any level of experience
- Writers whose interests match the 2027 faculty: literary fiction, non-fiction, and memoir
- Writers who need financial support to attend
Past IWR participants and family members of the judges can't apply.
What you need to apply
- A statement of impact explaining why you're applying and how you'll share your IWR experience
- A creative writing sample of up to 1,000 words (fiction, non-fiction, or memoir)
- Two references, attached as PDFs
- An acknowledgment of financial need
- A $10 USD application fee
How are recipients chosen?
Recipients are chosen mainly on two things:
- Your potential as a writer
- Your need for financial support
Applications are reviewed by a team of IWR alumni, and the founding directors make the final decision.
How to apply
- Read the full award details on the official website.
- Prepare your statement of impact, writing sample, and two references.
- Decide whether you're applying for full or partial funding.
- Complete the application on the Award Force platform and pay the $10 fee.
- Submit before October 15, 2026, 11:59 PM GMT.
Simple tips
- Be honest about financial need. For full funding, you must show you can't afford flights and accommodation. Mention any other funding you've tried to find.
- Explain why this retreat matters to you. Talk about the 2027 faculty and what draws you to them.
- Choose strong references. They should know your writing and not be family members. References written specifically for this event score higher.
- Send your best writing. Quality matters most.
- Check everything before submitting. You can't edit your application once it's sent, and incomplete applications won't be considered.
- Writers who haven't had many chances to attend retreats or develop their writing are ranked highly, so don't hold back if you're new to this.
Past winners
Past Alumni Award winners have come from around the world, including Nigeria, India, Bangladesh, Kenya, South Africa, Brazil, China, the Philippines, Sudan, Lithuania, and the United States.
Apply here
Ready to apply? Submit your application through the official Award Force platform: https://icelandwriters.awardsplatform.com/
For full details, visit the official page: https://icelandwritersretreat.com/scholarships/
For questions, email iwr@icelandwritersretreat.com.
World Opportunities Hub is an independent information platform. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Iceland Writers Retreat. Always verify details on the official website before applying.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Organization | Iceland Writers Retreat |
| Region / Country | Reykjavík, Iceland |
| Deadline | Oct 15, 2026 |
| Level | Writers aged 18+, all levels |
| Funding | Full (retreat, flights, accommodation) or partial; $10 application fee |
WorldOpportunitiesHub is an independent information platform. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by Iceland Writers Retreat. Always verify details on the official website before applying.