Opportunities for MFA Students - Creative Writing MFA

The College of Arts and Sciences (COAS) awards travel funding each year to graduate students. There are four application deadlines throughout the year. Our students have experienced great success in receiving these awards, and have used COAs travel funding to present at conferences such as the American Literary Translators Association, the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) Conference, the International Hemingway Conference, and more.

Learn more about COAS travel awards and how to apply.

A blond woman sits between two men, all of them laughing and holding printed pages — Heather Marion, a writer on “Better Call Saul,” running a workshop

The Boise State Creative Writing MFA Program is thrilled to partner with the Sun Valley Writers’ Conference as part of their Writing Fellows Program. Each year, the Writing Fellows Program selects two of our MFA students to attend the Sun Valley Writers’ Conference, providing our students with the invaluable experience of working with a cohort of writers from across the country and meeting with renowned published writers during the conference. Thanks to donor support, SVWC sponsors their travel and lodging and provides them with Full Conference Passes ($1,100 each). While at the Conference, they attend talks, private dinners, and often have one-on-one time with visiting speakers who provide them with inspiration and direction as they embark on their creative journeys. Past visiting speakers include Margaret Atwood, Vinson Cunningham, Anne Lamott, Hernan Diaz, Ocean Vuong, Lauren Groff, Rita Dove and more.

Learn more about the Sun Valley Writers’ Conference.

A group of men and women stand against trees — Sun Valley Writers’ Conference, 2024

Each spring, the Glenn Balch MFA Prize for Fiction recognizes three MFA students for outstanding work in the short story or novel-excerpt form. The family of Glenn Balch, the famed Idaho writer who published over 30 books, funds the annual contest. There is no cost to enter the contest, which is open to all current MFA students. Members of the Balch family select the three finalists, who are then ranked by an outside judge. Award amounts vary each year. All current MFA students may submit to the contest. Three finalists receive prizes ranging from $2000 – $250.

Learn more about the Glenn Balch Award and see past winners.

A drawing of a white horse running through a field with another horse following behind. The image has text that says "GLENN BALCH PRIZE IN FICTION." — The illustrated cover of one of Glenn Balch’s novels.

The Graduate Student Showcase is a one-day graduate conference at Boise State University that provides an opportunity for you as a graduate student to showcase your talents, connect with other graduate students, and enjoy the possibility of winning a cash award. Our students and faculty have won various awards at the Graduate Student Showcase, including:

Presidential Scholar – Performance and Visual Arts Award: Ayotola Tehingbola

Three-Minute Thesis –Audience Choice: Caleb Merritt

Graduate College Excellence in Graduate Mentoring — Mitch Wieland

Learn more about the Graduate Student Showcase.

A white, bald man and a black woman sit and smile at a table with a blue covering — Professor Mitch Wieland and MFA student Ayotola Tehingbola at the 2024 Graduate Student Showcase awards ceremony.

The Alexa Rose Foundation provides grants to Idaho artists each year. Many of our students, alumni, and faculty have received funding. Artists may apply for funding in a variety of areas, including for travel to do research for a book, living expenses and/or childcare while working on a manuscript, publication submission fees, and more.

Two women sit and smile behind a booth with a sign that reads "Idaho Review" with people in the background. — MFA students at the Association of Writing Programs conference (AWP)

Boise boasts a growing number of local organizations dedicated to supporting art and artists. These organizations provide grants, community events, publication opportunities, jobs and more.

Arts Idaho

Backyard Artists

Boise City Department of Arts and History

Treasure Valley Reads