Forum Storytelling Fellowship

The FORUM Storytelling Fellowship convenes new and emerging writers to share stories that need to be told about Alaska. This Fellowship cohort lasts for 6 months. Fellows will be paid $2,500 for completion of the Fellowship.

Applications are currently closed. The next application cycle will likely open in late summer 2026.

For this cohort, we’re looking for creative nonfiction stories/personal essays that explore the theme: Remembering Together. Rooted in Fellows' own communities and experiences, stories will explore defining moments in Alaska – what are the untold stories from the last 250 years that have shaped this place and its people? Fellows will then shift to stories that look forward, documenting real examples of how communities are learning from the past and growing into the future.

We are running this special cohort as part of the national initiative By the People: Conversations Beyond 250. By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils in collaboration with local partners. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. Stories produced through this cohort will be archived at the Smithsonian Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archive and Collections and made accessible to the public.

Over the course of the Fellowship, Fellows will:

Create and edit three stories, to be published in print and on the FORUM digital platform. For this Fellowship, we typically focus on nonfiction stories and personal narratives. Fellows will gain writing experience and build their skills in submitting pitches and working with an editor and publisher. Please note that fellows are also asked to provide at least two images to accompany each story. There will be some time to work on stories during monthly gatherings, but the majority of writing will take place outside of the gatherings. Please ensure you have the time to dedicate to writing three stories.
Connect with other Alaskan writers through 3-hour virtual cohort gatherings once per month. A typical gathering will include community building, a skill-building workshop with a guest storyteller, and time for pitching and getting feedback on stories from the cohort.
Participate in a live reading at the conclusion of the cohort, to share their stories with a public audience.

Important dates

January 7, 2026: Fellowship application opens
February 8, 2026 at 11:59pm: Fellowship application closes.
Late February, 2026: Applicants notified; initiation paperwork.
Early March, 2026: Fellowship pre-work begins.
March 21, 2026, 9a-12p: Opening Zoom gathering
April 18, 2026, 9a-12p: Zoom gathering
May 16, 2026, 9a-12p: Zoom gathering
June 13, 2026, 9a-12p: Zoom gathering
July 18, 2026, 9a-12p: Zoom gathering
August 12, 2026, evening: Live reading event
August 15, 2026, 9a-12p: Final Zoom gathering

We’re looking for storytellers who:

Have the time and space to write three stories over the course of the fellowship, as well as to attend the monthly cohort gatherings. We hope that Fellows will be able to attend all the gatherings, as they are a time for our cohort to build relationships, give and receive feedback, and learn in community. However, we know that things come up, and will work with Fellows to accommodate scheduling conflicts.

Please note that attendance at the first gathering is required, so that all fellows have a chance to meet each other. Fellows also need to be available to participate in the August 12, 2026 live reading event. In total, fellows are required to attend at least 4 out of the 6 sessions and finish three stories to receive the full stipend. Before applying, please ensure you would be able to meet this requirement. If not, we encourage you to apply to a future Fellowship cohort.
Have between 0-5 years of experience in professional writing (this means producing published work that you were paid for), and want to build their skills and portfolios as writers;
Are committed to helping us co-create a cohort community where participants can grow as writers, give and receive intentional feedback, and connect across perspectives.

Anticipated time commitment

Virtual gatherings: 3 hours, once per month (see timeline above)
Administrative time: varies each month (includes checking/replying to program-related emails, etc)
Writing and editing three stories: the amount of time it takes to plan, write, and edit a story varies greatly between individuals. We suggest you take some time to think about your writing process and how you might create the time and space you need in your weekly routine to work on your three stories.

How to apply

Applications are through Google Forms. Click here to submit an application.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be reviewed based on the following criteria:

Application narrative: while it does not need to be a polished piece of writing, the application should demonstrate intentionality and thoughtfulness in producing a written work.
Fellowship fit: Based on the narrative, it is clear why the applicant wants to participate in the fellowship, how they hope to grow from it, and what they might contribute (in terms of perspective, experience, etc.) to the cohort.
Story ideas: Applicants do not need to submit a proposal as part of this application; however, the selection committee will be look at whether applicants have initial ideas or goals for what they will write during the fellowship.
The cohort of selected storytellers will ideally represent a range of Alaskan communities and perspectives.