The Beverly Rogers, Carol C. Harter Black Mountain Institute hosts residential fellowships every academic year. Visiting fellows join a community of writers and scholars in a thriving literary scene in Las Vegas and on the campus of UNLV; they are supported by individuals and groups that share the commitment to bringing writers and the literary imagination into the heart of public life.
A list of our past fellows can be found here.
For more information on how to apply, please read our FAQ section.
117° Residency (Summer 2025)
Applications will open February 1, 2025 and close at 11:59pm PT on March 15, 2025.
The 117° residency is for emerging and distinguished writers working in English who have published at least one book with a trade or literary press. This fellowship is for writers working on a project in nonfiction or poetry (or a hybrid work that includes one or both of those genres). The fellowship includes:
- A salary of $10,000 paid over a two-month period
- a two-month letter-of-appointment
- eligibility for optional health coverage
- office space at BMI on the campus of UNLV
- housing (fellows cover some utilities) in a unique and vibrant arts complex in the bustling district of downtown Las Vegas—home to The Writer’s Block, our city’s beloved independent bookstore
- recognition as a “BMI Fellow”
While there are no formal teaching requirements, this is a “working fellowship” located in Las Vegas. BMI’s visiting fellows will maintain office hours (1 day a week), and will offer regular service to the community. In addition to the primary goal of furthering one’s own writing during their term in Las Vegas, visiting fellows are expected to engage in a substantial way with BMI’s community in ways that connect to their interests and skills. Upon acceptance into the program, each fellow will craft a plan for community-engagement in partnership with BMI. This component is equally weighted along with the writing sample and proposed literary project in the application. Here are some examples of activities a visiting fellow might pursue:
- Offer readings, craft talks, and other public presentations to the readers and writers of UNLV and Southern Nevada.
- Offer workshops or seminars.
- Curate events or programs, live and virtual.
Please feel free to move beyond these examples in your application – BMI wants to find new ways to serve the Las Vegas community.
Application details
Please submit:
- A one-page personal statement,* which includes 1) your interest participating in the Las Vegas literary community, 2) a description of how you envision fulfilling your service hours and engaging the Las Vegas community, and 3) the writing project(s) you will work on while in residency.
- A writing sample (10 pages maximum,* double-spaced, 12 pt. font).
- A résumé or CV.
*Please respect the committee’s time by observing these guidelines and page limits.
Candidates are selected by a committee of staff and community members at BMI.
For more information, please consult our Fellowship FAQs.
BMI-Kluge Fellowship
Applications will open February 6, 2025 and close at 11:59pm PT on April 1, 2025.
The Black Mountain Institute-Kluge Fellowship consists of a three-month term for a writer whose book would directly benefit from access to the Library of Congress’ extensive collections and time in which to conduct research and write. Although this fellowship has some in-person requirements it is primarily virtual, wherein the recipient can continue most of their scholarship and creative activity where they live while receiving prestigious support from Black Mountain Institute and the Library of Congress. During the three-month term, the fellow will spend two weeks at the Library of Congress conducting research. After the conclusion of their fellowship, the scholar/writer will visit BMI and UNLV in Las Vegas to offer a public program during the academic year.
The fellowship includes
- A salary of $15,000 to be paid over a three-month period
- Flights to/from Washington, D.C. for research at The Kluge Center
- Flights to/from Las Vegas for a public program
- 3 nights of lodging in Las Vegas
- Recognition as a BMI-Kluge Fellow
Applicants must have a master’s degree or doctorate directly related to the area/subjects the applicant proposes to study (although, major creative or scholarly publications in the area of the proposed research may replace the graduate degree requirement); or, a bachelor’s degree plus five (5) years professional work experience.
Application details
Please submit:
- A proposal regarding the project the fellowship would serve, 1 – 3 pages in length
- Identification of specific Library collections materials that the applicant deems necessary for their research
- A CV
- A writing sample of no more than 10 pages, double-spaced in 12-point font
- Three references’ names and contact information
*Please respect the committee’s time by observing these guidelines and page limits.
Candidates are selected by a committee of staff and community members at BMI.
For more information, please consult our Fellowship FAQs.
Shearing Fellowship
Check back for more details on the 2025 application period and deadline.
For emerging and distinguished writers who have published at least one book with a trade or literary press, this fellowship includes:
- compensation of $46,500 paid over a nine-month period;
- a nine-month-long letter of appointment;
- eligibility for optional health coverage;
- office space in the BMI offices on the campus of UNLV;
- housing (fellows cover some utilities) in a unique and vibrant arts complex in the bustling district of downtown Las Vegas—home to The Writer’s Block, our city’s beloved independent bookstore; and
- recognition at BMI as a “Shearing Fellow.”
While there are no formal teaching requirements, this is a “working fellowship” located in Las Vegas. BMI’s visiting fellows will maintain office hours (10 per week), and will offer regular service to the community. In addition to the primary goal of furthering one’s own writing during their term in Las Vegas, visiting fellows are expected to engage in a substantial way with BMI’s community, in ways that connect to their interests and skills. Upon acceptance into the program, each fellow will craft a plan in partnership with BMI. This is equally weighted against the writing sample and proposed literary project for the residency. Here are some examples of activities a visiting fellow might pursue:
- Offer readings, craft talks, and other public presentations to the readers and writers of UNLV and Southern Nevada.
- Offer workshops or seminars.
- Curate events or programs.
- Provide support to one of BMI’s publications (e.g. judge contests or consult on editorial processes).
Please feel free to move beyond these examples in your application – BMI wants to find new ways to serve the Las Vegas community, especially beyond the UNLV campus.
Application details
Please submit:
- A one- to three-page personal statement,* which includes 1) your interest in being part of the Las Vegas literary community, 2) a practical description of how you envision fulfilling your service hours and engaging the Las Vegas community, and 3) the writing project(s) you will work on while in residency.
- A writing sample (10 pages maximum,* double-spaced, 12 pt. font).
- A résumé or CV.
*Please respect the committee’s time by observing these guidelines and page limits.
Finalists will be asked to send copies of their books. (Applicants must have at least one book published by a trade or literary press.) Candidates are selected by a committee of staff and community members at BMI.
City of Asylum Fellowship
There is no application process for this fellowship.