Do you have a travel story that keeps you up at night? A place you need to go back to, an investigation you’ve been sketching in your notebook for months, a book that only needs time and resources to come to life? Then read on, because there are US$10,000 waiting for a project like yours.
Applications are now open for the 2027 Michael Jacobs Grant for Travel Writing, one of the most prestigious awards in the world for travel narrative in English and Spanish. And the window is short: applications close on November 27.
A grant with a story of its own
The grant is run by the Fundación Gabo, founded by Gabriel García Márquez to champion great journalism, and the Hay Festival Cartagena de Indias. It is funded by the Michael Jacobs Foundation for Travel Writing, which honors the memory of British writer and Hispanist Michael Jacobs, whose work was devoted to Spain and Latin America.
This is its thirteenth edition. Twelve previous calls have made it a benchmark for writers who see travel as a form of both journalism and literature.
US$10,000 to bring your project to life
Let’s be honest: good travel writing costs money. You have to get there, stay long enough, talk to people, go back, research, rewrite. The Michael Jacobs Grant awards US$10,000 to fund a research and writing project already in progress, whether an article or a book, about Spain or Spanish-speaking Latin America.
That money could mean weeks of fieldwork, the trip you still need to finish the story, or the time to focus fully on writing without taking on assignments that pull you away from what you really want to tell.
And there’s more: the winning work will be published in both English and Spanish, opening your writing to readers around the world.
You can apply in English
This is not a grant for Spanish speakers only. Projects can be written in English or Spanish, and journalists and writers of any nationality are eligible. What matters is the story and how you tell it.
The jury is looking for narratives that go beyond anecdote, engage the senses and explore reality with journalistic depth. In other words, exactly the kind of storytelling we work on every day at the School of Travel Journalism.
Eligibility
- Journalists or writers of any nationality.
- At least one published article or book at the time of applying.
- A travel journalism project focused on Spain or Spanish-speaking Latin America, in English or Spanish.
What to submit
- A detailed project proposal (article or book), with a description and an excerpt of at least 1,500 words that shows your narrative ability.
- A bio of up to 400 words (in English or Spanish) describing your experience as a travel journalist and why you are applying.
- A previously published piece of yours from a print or digital outlet (in English or Spanish).
Important: proposals must be original and entirely the applicant’s own work, with no use of generative AI tools at any stage: not in the idea, the research, the structure or the writing. This is about your voice, and only yours.
A world-class jury
Your project will be read by some of the most respected names in literature and narrative journalism: Mar Abad, Jon Lee Anderson, Sabrina Duque, Teresita Goyeneche, J. S. Tennant and Alice Albinia, winner of the 2026 edition. Simply getting your work in front of them is an opportunity.
The winning project will be announced at the Hay Festival Cartagena de Indias 2027, January 28–31.
Our tips for a strong application
- Start today. There are only a few weeks left, and a good 1,500-word excerpt needs several rounds of revision.
- Choose your excerpt carefully. It’s your calling card: let your eye, your rhythm and your ability to place the reader in the scene shine through.
- Explain why this story and why you. Use your bio to show your connection to the subject and what you would do with the grant.
- Pick your best published piece. Ideally one close in spirit to the project you’re proposing.
- Don’t wait until the last day. Application platforms tend to get busy right before the deadline.
How to apply
Applications are accepted only through the Fundación Gabo application platform. The deadline is November 27.
At the School of Travel Journalism, we’re convinced: if you have a travel writing project, this is your chance. Ten thousand dollars, publication in two languages and the attention of an exceptional jury. Don’t let that story stay in the drawer. Apply, and good luck!
