Applications for the 2026-2027 Programme have now closed. The cohort will be announced in early September. The programme will run from September 2026 to June 2027.
The Genesis JLF Emerging Writers Programme provides structured support for writers developing work in fiction, non-fiction and poetry, helping them refine their craft, build confidence, and access professional guidance through mentorship, peer support and industry engagement.
The Programme is part of our wider mission to champion literature as a way of fostering discourse, creativity and deeper cultural understanding. We pair emerging writers with outstanding mentors from our network of authors and poets to offer individual feedback and guidance, with the mentoring relationship at the heart of the programme.
In all our work, we want to create spaces where stories, ideas and diverse voices can be explored and shared. The Emerging Writers Programme is part of this mission – investing in writers who will contribute to the future of literary culture in the UK.
That’s why the Genesis JLF Emerging Writers Programme is open to all. There are no age, gender or faith restrictions, and every entry is read blind, with no identifying information about the author attached.
Since its launch in 2021, the Genesis JLF Emerging Writers Programme has supported 50 writers across fiction, non-fiction and poetry.
We hope the programme helps build a more inclusive and vibrant literary future; one that celebrates writing, supports creativity, and provides opportunities for writers whose work will shape future cultural and intellectual life.
The Genesis Foundation was founded by John Studzinski CBE in 2001. Over the past 20 years the Foundation has donated more than £20 million to the arts. Through its funding and partnership model, it has enabled opportunities for thousands of young artists in theatre and music, building both their experience and their resilience. Its main focus is on partnerships with leading arts organisations such as the Young Vic, National Theatre, Almeida Theatre, LAMDA and The Sixteen, and on training programmes that equip emerging artists for life as a creative professional.
Emerging Writers Programme Frequently Asked Questions
No, you don’t have to have any particular faith or cultural background to apply for the programme. Your writing can be on any topic and does not need to relate to Jewish themes.
Individual mentor contact and group seminars begin in September and run through to the following June. Cohort members will appear at an event on Sunday 7 March 2027 at Jewish Book Week, at Kings Place, London. Travel expenses will be covered by the programme. Agent meetings will take place in May or June of 2027.
No, the programme is open to emerging writers of any age, provided you are 18 or older on the date of the programme opening
Yes, for the purposes of the programme we will still consider you an emerging writer if your previous publishing experience was unrelated to your current writing genre. For example, if you have previously published several pieces of academic writing or historical research, you will still be eligible to apply under the fiction or poetry categories, or for non-fiction if you are writing a memoir or other piece of creative non-fiction not related to your previous work. If you have any questions on your specific publishing experience, please contact Sarah Fairbairn on [email protected]
The Jewish Literary Foundation appoints each year’s mentors through its established network of UK-based authors. Mentors are chosen based on their writing and teaching experience and ability to support an emerging writer in developing their writing project. Mentors are matched with successful applicants in a collaborative process, wherein the suitability of each writing project for each mentor’s strengths and experiences are considered.
Due to the large number of submissions received it is not possible for the Jewish Literary Foundation to produce feedback on any submitted work. All unsuccessful submissions are destroyed following the commencement of the programme and no notes on submissions are held on file. Requests for further feedback will not be responded to.
