Creative Writing Scholarships and Awards

Creative Writing Scholarships and Awards acknowledge excellence in creative writing by University of Louisville undergraduate and graduate students. Scholarship funds are distributed in varying amounts of tuition reimbursement. You do not have to be an English major to apply. Judges for the competition are the members of the English Department Creative Writing Committee.

The University of Louisville does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, or disability of an otherwise qualified individual in educational programs and activities.  Accordingly, while a program or activity may be focused on the needs or issues of a particular group, they are intended to be inclusive of all, and any participant may benefit from attendance or participation in these programs and activities.

The sum of all institutional aid received cannot exceed the university’s total standard direct cost of attendance plus a stipend. Items in the standard direct cost include regular on-campus tuition charges*, average room**, average board***, and average book costs***. For more information regarding the University stacking/overaward policy, be visit the following website:http://louisville.edu/financialaid/scholarships/overaward-stacking-policies

Award Amount: Varying amounts of tuition reimbursement

Deadline: March 24, 2025, no later than 11:59 P.M.

Submission Guidelines

University of Louisville Creative Writing Scholarship Application

Leon V. Driskell Award

The Driskell Award is given each year to the U of L undergraduate student who shows exceptional promise in Creative Writing. Students do not have to be English majors to apply.

Award Amount: $300

Deadline: Friday, March 24, 2025, no later than 11:59 P.M.

Submission Guidelines

Leon V. Driskell Award Application

Sara-jean McDowell Award for Fiction

This Award will not be awarded in 2025. 

University of Louisville Creative Writing Award for Poetry

This Award is given each year to the U of L graduate student who shows exceptional promise as a poet. Students must have a graduate standing but do not have to be graduate students in English to apply.

Award Amount: $250

Deadline: March 24, 2025, no later than 11:59 P.M.

Submission Guidelines

University of Louisville Creative Writing Award for Poetry Application