The Iceland Writers Retreat Alumni Award is a needs-based award that lets writers attend the non-profit Iceland Writers Retreat (IWR), held each April in Reykjavík. It is funded by donations from IWR alumni and friends.
Recipients join the 2027 retreat (14–18 April): small-group workshops led by international authors, a literary day tour, panels and readings. Full and partial awards are offered; IWR alumni review applications and the founding directors choose recipients.
Benefits & funding
- Full award: the standard retreat package (5 workshops, 1 day trip), four nights’ accommodation in Reykjavík (not necessarily the retreat hotel) and a round-trip flight from a major international airport.
- Partial award: the standard package fee only — no flights or accommodation.
- Neither covers airport transfers, travel insurance, visas, or meals and extras outside the itinerary; IWR provides visa support letters but does not arrange visas.
Eligibility
- Any nationality and country of residence; no degree or publication record required.
- Aged 18 or over by 14 April 2027.
- Must have financial need; full funding requires showing you cannot afford flights to Iceland and accommodation.
- Not eligible: past IWR participants and family members of the judges.
- Writing interests should match the 2027 faculty: literary fiction, non-fiction or memoir; workshops are taught in English.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Age requirement
≥ 18 yrs
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Application process
- 1Apply on IWR’s Award Force portal by 15 October 2026, 23:59 GMT, choosing full or partial funding; a US$10 fee applies, with no exceptions.
- 2Submit a statement of impact, a prose writing sample of up to 1,000 words, two references attached as PDFs (emailed references are not accepted) and an acknowledgment of financial need.
- 3Applications cannot be changed once submitted; incomplete ones are not considered.
Program timeline
Applications open
Sep 16, 2026
Application deadline (23:59 GMT)
Oct 15, 2026
Recipients chosen
Late November 2026
Retreat in Reykjavík
Apr 14, 2027 to Apr 18, 2027