New fellowship gives $25,000 grants to Puerto Rican writers

A new fellowship co-sponsored by the Andrew W

NEW YORK — A new fellowship co-sponsored by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation will provide $25,000 for emerging and established Puerto Rican writers.

Among those welcoming the news: “Hamilton” playwright and son of Puerto Ricans, Lin-Manuel Miranda. In a statement, he called the fellowship “an important means of supporting Puerto Rican artists in their journey to tell more stories. This collaboration to amplify the work and voices of these creators, both in Puerto Rico and across the U.S. diaspora, will further enrich and enhance the literary experience for all of us.”

Carlos Rodríguez Silvestre, executive director of Flamboyan Foundation Puerto Rico, said in a statement that the fellowship would help address what he calls the “existing lack of support” for Puerto Rican writers.

“At Flamboyan Foundation we can’t think of a better way to honor the rich heritage and diversity of Puerto Rican literature in the archipelago and the diaspora than creating a fellowship that lets writers do what they know how to do best,” he said.

The deadline for applications is June 20. More information can be found on www.letrasboricuas.org.

source: abcnews.go.com