The 2026 Letras Boricuas Fellowship

About the Open Call

The fellowship supports literary writers working across fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, spoken word, and playwriting. In addition to financial support, Letras Boricuas aims to strengthen literary practice, encourage exchange between writers, and increase the visibility of Puerto Rican literature internationally. The programme welcomes writing in Spanish, English, or bilingual forms where both languages coexist or intersect creatively. Applications are evaluated on literary merit, including originality, imagination, technical skill, strong voice, creativity, and artistic vision. The selection process is led by committees composed of former fellows, established writers, editors, scholars, and community practitioners representing diverse literary perspectives.

What is Offered

Fellowship program details

Requirements

Applicants must be at least 21 years old, currently reside in Puerto Rico or the United States, and demonstrate deep and sustained ties to Puerto Rico and its diaspora through their literary practice. Writers may apply in only one eligible genre: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, Spoken Word, or Playwriting. Applications require a CV, writer’s statement, evidence of publication or public literary presentation depending on the genre, and an anonymous work sample following strict formatting guidelines. Work samples must not contain identifying information, and incomplete or late applications are automatically disqualified. Former Letras Boricuas fellows are not eligible to reapply. Academic writing, journalism, graphic novels, screenplays, cookbooks, lyrics, and other non-literary formats are not eligible.

How to Apply

Download the guidelines PDF from the official website and follow the submission instructions provided therein.