APPLICATIONS DUE BY JULY 11, 2025
The goal of this scholarship is to lift and amplify underrepresented voices in children’s literature for writers and illustrators in Ohio and improve inclusivity and representation at the 2025 conference. There are three questions as part of the application process, as well as a request for a brief sample of your work. Your answers to each question can be as long or as short as you’d like, but we ask that each of your answers do not exceed 1500 words for each question.
The application does not have to disclose any aspect of your underrepresented diverse identity and work submitted does not need to reflect an underrepresented diverse identity or experience, although this is welcomed if you are comfortable sharing. The SCBWI Ohio North Regional Team trusts that if you are applying for this scholarship, you will communicate what is necessary to evaluate your application with the criteria above in mind. If you have any concerns about any of the application questions, you can reach out to the SCBWI Ohio North Co-Regional Advisor, Merrill Rainey, at [email protected].
🌟 2025 Ohio North Underrepresented Diverse Voices Scholarship Application Form 🌟
Scholarship Information:
SCBWI Ohio North is pleased to offer a scholarship to lift and amplify an underrepresented diverse voice as they pursue their writing and illustrating goals for young readers. The scholarship Includes conference fee, critique, and Friday intensive.
Who Can Apply:
- Both SCBWI members and non-members
- Must be an individual who identifies with one or more aspects of the We Need Diverse Books definition of diversity (see below under "Eligibility")
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must be an Ohio resident or Ohio student
- Must submit application information
Evaluation Criteria:
- Demonstrated interest in and passion for children’s literature
- Vision for how attending the conference will help to reach writing/illustrating goals
- Vision for how an individual’s writing/illustrating will bring underrepresented diverse stories and experiences to readers
- Demonstrated progress in writing and/or illustrating for kids through a current project
Eligibility:
We want to contribute to the goals of celebrating and expanding the universe of diverse books in children’s literature. For purposes of these conference scholarships, we are using the We Need Diverse Books definition of diversity to guide eligibility:
“We recognize all diverse experiences, including (but not limited to) LGBTQIA, Native, people of color, gender diversity, people with disabilities*, and ethnic, cultural, and religious minorities."
*We subscribe to a broad definition of disability, which includes but is not limited to physical, sensory, cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities, chronic conditions, and mental illnesses (this may also include addiction). Furthermore, we subscribe to a social model of disability, which presents disability as created by barriers in the social environment, due to lack of equal access, stereotyping, and other forms of marginalization.”