Applications are now open for “Between The Lines: Peace and the Writing Experience” BTL, International Writing Program IWP for young writers (15-18 years old) and Chaperones (25-40 years old) at the University of Iowa for the period 14 – 28 July, 2018. The program is sponsored by and jointly administered through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Cultural Programs Division.

For more details, please visit https://iwp.uiowa.edu/programs/between-the-lines

Requirements for Students: The program is designed for talented young writers who show promise to become future literary figures in their respective countries and in their own native languages. It is open for young writers between the ages of 15-18 who are proficient in English (reading, writing, and speaking). All nominees must send the following in one package to IraqCulturalAffairs@state.gov no later than March 15:
a) A writing sample of 6-8 pages of prose (fiction or creative nonfiction) and/or poetry in English. Critical essays will not be accepted.
b) A writing sample of no more than 3 pages in response to the following: In our daily lives, we navigate many different roles—student, sibling, daughter, son, peer. We negotiate family, friends, religious groups, as well as class, gender, race, country, and so many other groups, adjusting the way we speak or behave to fit the demands of each encounter. As we move through the day, we work through how and why we occupy each particular role. What do you consider to be the strongest, most central aspects of your identity? What does it mean to you to be a member of (or seen as a member of) a particular group? In what way does your identity influence you as a creative writer and reader?
c) A brief statement of purpose (no more than 250 words), written in English describing why writing is important to the applicant’s life, and what he/she hopes to learn at BTL.
Note: All writing samples must be sent in 12-point font and have one -inch margins all around.

Requirements for Chaperones: Chaperones will serve as Arabic-speaking liaisons between the students and the IWP staff. Chaperones will also work with IWP on BTL-related projects. Chaperones should be between the ages of 25-40, proficient in English (reading, writing, and speaking) and a teacher who is interested in creative writing with no previous exposure to the United States. The chaperones should be able to fully participate in English programming on creative writing and teaching methods, conducted in part by American teachers. Moreover, the chaperone must be reliable, mature, and willing and able to take on the dual responsibilities of their own program and the overall duties of overseeing the students.

Each chaperone nominee must submit a resume/CV and a brief statement of purpose (both in English) to IraqCulturalAffairs@state.gov  no later than March 14 describing his or her proposed goals for the program and how their participation would benefit the program.

The nominated writer and/ or chaperon should also include the following in their e-mail:

1. a) applicant’s full name (as it appears on his/her passport),
   b) City and country of birth (as it appears on his/her passport)
   c) Country of residency
   d) Country of citizenship
   e) Nominee’s date of birth
   f) Nominee’s email address

ONEBEAT is a musical fellowship which aims at using music as a tool to promote dialogue, creation and social engagement. ONEBEAT program application opens in January through start of February yearly.   Application is open to young musicians between the ages of 19-35 who not only have musical talent but also leadership skills, entrepreneurial spirit and a strong commitment to their societies. ONEBEAT consists of a two week RESIDENCY followed by a two-week TOUR.  During the RESIDENCY, fellows form small ensembles and create original material and develop workshop ideas.  While on TOUR, fellows give public performances in various US cities and states and lead workshops with youth and communities groups. OneBeat fellows will have their travel, room, and board costs covered. Applicants must demonstrate basic English proficiency in order to participate in this program which takes place during October – November. Interested musicians can apply directly via the OneBeat website https://1beat.org/ which has all the details on the program requirements and eligibility criteria.

International Writing Program’s (IWP) Fall Residency at the University of Iowa is an ECA-funded 12-week (August- November) Fall Residency program for established writers who have achieved literary distinction in their own countries, as well as for rising stars who have demonstrated notable literary talent.  Fiction and literary non-fiction writers, bloggers, screenwriters, poets, and dramatists are eligible for nomination.  Except in extraordinary circumstances, candidates should have at least one published volume of work or professional script credit, or works that have appeared in significant publications or attracted significant audiences over a period of at least two years.  Nominees must be fluent in English, comfortable with cross-cultural dynamics, and eager to engage with writers from diverse cultures.

Nomination package should include the following and be sent to IraqCulturalAffairs@state.gov:

1. a writing sample (ideally, 10-15 pages of clearly formatted material) in English or English-translation, including the name and title of the professional translator and the writing sample in the original language if possible
2. a literary-focused CV CV/résumé;
3. a passport copy.