BMI X UNLV

BMI supports the next generation of literary arts leaders through graduate fellowships, internships, scholarships, and funding for student-run literary events and publishing projects.

BMI is committed to seeding the next generation of writers and leaders in the literary arts sector, with particular attention paid to our partnership with the Creative Writing International Program at UNLV, a nationally ranked graduate program.  Through graduate assistantships and internships, BMI provides students with a deeper understanding of the many career paths available to them in the literary arts sector after graduation. During their time with BMI, students can request specific “concentrations” within the institute based on their desired learning outcomes. Areas of focus can include, but are not limited to events production and curation, marketing and communications, business and operations, development, and more.

BMI offers a variety of opportunities exclusively to graduate students who are pursuing masters and doctorate degrees through UNLV’s Creative Writing International Program.

BMI PhD Fellowships are awarded to all students pursuing doctorates in Creative Writing at UNLV.  BMI awards $9,000/year to each student, for the first three years of their studies. Each awardee receives either 1 or 2 course releases in exchange for an hourly assignment to BMI. Time is spent developing valuable skills while pursuing approved research projects or by supporting the institute’s core departments and programs.

MFA/MA Graduate Assistantships are available to students across UNLV’s campus. Please contact your college or department for more information. 

International Travel Scholarships are awarded to Creative Writing MFAs who are completing their second year of studies at UNLV.  Award recipients receive $3,000/each from BMI. For more information or to apply, please contact UNLV’s International Programs office for more information on deadlines and eligibility. 

In addition, BMI offers financial and administrative support to a variety of student-run programs, including but not limited to…

The Neon Lit Reading Series which features writers from UNLV’s Creative Writing MFA and PhD program. Since 2009, Neon Lit has drawn standing room only crowds to downtown Las Vegas with readings that reflect the diverse student body and offer the unique opportunity to be exposed to an array of new writers in Las Vegas. 

Breakout Writers Series brings 2–3 emerging stars to UNLV and the University of Nevada, Reno to present public readings and craft talks aimed at current students. Authors are hand-selected by a student-run committee, comprised of UNLV MFA Creative Writing students. 

To learn more about Witness Magazine and Interim Magazine, please visit their websites.