Pocono à la Mode 2024: Scholarships

Scholarship Information

PLEASE NOTE: OUR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION WINDOW IS NOW CLOSED.

2024 Pocono Retreat Scholarship Information

Eastern PA SCBWI is pleased to offer two scholarships for our weekend retreat, “Pocono à la Mode,” which will take place April 19-21 at the Highlights Foundation in the Pocono Mountains. The two scholarships include our Equity and Inclusion Scholarship and our Financial Need Scholarship. The scholarships will cover the costs of programming and room and board at the Highlights Foundation (including meals) for the duration of the retreat, plus a faculty critique.

Full event information: https://www.scbwi.org/events/pocono-a-la-mode-2024-moving-through-the-middle

Please read the following information carefully to apply for one of the two scholarships.

* EQUITY AND INCLUSION SCHOLARSHIP *

The Equity and Inclusion Team of Eastern PA SCBWI is committed to lifting the voices of traditionally underrepresented storytellers and artists (including but not limited to people of color, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQIA+ community, Native people, and people from ethnic, cultural, and religious minorities).

We are honored to offer a full Equity and Inclusion Scholarship for the 2024 Pocono Retreat to be awarded to a writer or illustrator who self-identifies as a member of a community that is underrepresented in the field of children’s literature (see paragraph above).

To apply for the scholarship, please email the following with “2024 Pocono Retreat Equity and Inclusion Scholarship” in the subject line to epa@scbwi.org:

1. A brief letter of introduction explaining why you are applying for the scholarship, a little bit about your creative journey, and, to your level of comfort, explaining how you qualify or self-identify as a member of a community that is underrepresented in the field of children’s literature.

2. A five-page sample from your chapter book/middle grade/young adult manuscript; OR one full picture book manuscript; OR the first half spread plus the next two full spreads of your picture book dummy; OR three portfolio-ready illustrations.

Notes:

The samples do not need to reflect experiences within an underrepresented or marginalized community. Our goal, and mission, is to uplift and support the creators.
Please also indicate if you would only be able to participate in the program if you receive the funds from the Equity and Inclusion Team due to financial hardship.

Deadline to apply for this scholarship: December 15, 2023

Scholarship applicants will be informed of the decision on or before January 10, 2024.

In the event that equally qualified applicants apply, priority may be given to an Eastern PA SCBWI member. Please note that if no applicants meet the requirements, Eastern PA SCBWI reserves the right not to award the scholarships for this event.

If you have any questions, please email epa@scbwi.org.

** FINANCIAL NEED SCHOLARSHIP *

Eastern PA SCBWI is honored to offer a full scholarship for the Pocono Retreat to be awarded to a writer or illustrator who has a financial hardship and would not otherwise be able to attend.

To apply for the scholarship, please email the following with “2024 Pocono Retreat Financial Scholarship” in the subject line to epa@scbwi.org:

1. A brief letter of introduction explaining why you are applying for the scholarship, a little bit about your creative journey, and, to your level of comfort, a short statement describing the nature of your financial need/circumstances.