ronald duncan stipends for southwest writing
Talented writers have the chance to explore the University of Exeter’s literary archives and bring unique documents and artefacts to life in new ways. The annual Ronald Duncan Stipends for South West Writing open the University’s Special Collections to serve as inspiration for new pieces of work.
Designed for those who are passionate about archives, storytelling, and bringing history to life through writing, the stipends enable holders to create unique pieces of work or public outreach events inspired by their experience.
Successful applicants will receive specialist guidance from the expert Special Collections team and will have access to a vibrant network of university partners and professionals.
We’re looking for passionate writers who are eager to dive into the Special Collections and create something truly unique. To be eligible for the Ronald Duncan Stipend, you:
✅ Must have a strong connection to the Southwest of England (not applicable for the stipend in partnership with Exeter City of Literature). This could mean:
- Living and/or working in the region
- Being actively involved in the Southwest literary scene
- Having the Southwest as a key influence on your current writing practice
✅ Can be at any stage of your career—emerging, mid-career, or established writers are all welcome.
✅ Must be able to travel to visit the Special Collections (remote participation is not possible due to the nature of the archives).
✅ Must be over 18
✅ Must be proficient in English.
We strongly encourage applications from writers with diverse lived experiences, offering fresh perspectives on the collections. If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear your ideas.
EXCOL is offering:
- A dedicated writing space for 1–2 days per week
- Access to local, national, and international networks
- Opportunities to participate in EXCOL Partnership events, subject to scheduling
The stipends will be awarded annually, running September to August. The timeline for working with the collections will be agreed upon between the stipend holder and Special Collections staff. However, all work, including any output or outreach activities, must be completed within the stipend year.
Each year, a stipend may be offered in partnership with another organisation, and for 2025, this will extend to a writer from a UNESCO City of Literature through the support of Exeter City of Literature. The 2,000 GBP stipend supports people’s time and expenses, and there is also additional funding available for outreach and engagement activities. There is also up to 1,000 GBP to cover travel and accommodation expenses for writers from across the UNESCO Cities of Literature network.
University Accommodation may be available to book in the Easter and Summer vacation periods. Visit Event Exeter for more information and contact Special Collections before booking to see if any reduced rates are available. Visit Exeter may also be of use.
