The Giller Mantella Scholarship is continuing its mission to uplift and empower Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (BIPOC), and racialized students across Canada. After a groundbreaking first year in which three exceptional students each received $10,000, the Scholarship is expanding to reach even more emerging literary talents.
The Scholarship applications close on April 2, 2025. Indigenous students are encouraged to apply online in French or English for this life-changing opportunity.
In response to overwhelmingly positive demand, eligibility for the Giller Mantella Scholarship now extends beyond high school graduates to include first and second-year undergraduate students, broadening access to financial support for those striving to overcome systemic barriers in education. The Scholarship aims to address systemic barriers by providing vital financial support to nurture and preserve literary talent among these underserved communities. Eligible students must demonstrate academic excellence, extracurricular involvement, and a passion for Creative Writing and English Literature.
Elana Rabinovitch, Executive Director of the Giller Prize and the Giller Foundation, said the Scholarship is a vital addition to the Foundation’s initiatives and a significant step toward shaping Canada’s literary landscape. Since 1994, the Giller Prize has celebrated Canada’s most accomplished literary voices. The Giller Mantella Scholarship aims to build on this legacy by supporting emerging authors from diverse and underrepresented communities.
“By establishing the Giller Mantella Scholarship in 2024, the Foundation acknowledged the importance of supporting emerging writers, particularly from marginalized communities, thus reinforcing its commitment to inclusivity and diversity in the literary field,” Rabinovitch said. “This initiative aligns with the Foundation’s goal to not only honour established authors through awards but also to cultivate new talent and ensure a richer, more varied literary landscape in Canada.”
She added, “We invite Indigenous students across Canada to submit their applications and give themselves an opportunity to elevate their voices, tell their unique stories, and showcase their talent.”
Sylvia Mantella, Vice President of Marketing, Sponsorship, and Philanthropy of the Mantella Corporation, said the Giller Mantella Scholarship was created to bridge the gap for marginalized students by enhancing post-secondary education and career goal achievements. “Investment in Canadian youth scholarships reinforces Mantella Corporation’s commitment to inspire future generations of Canadian storytellers and to send a message of support, opportunity, and inclusion to young people from diverse backgrounds pursuing careers in the literary arts,” she said.
Mantella added, “There is massive potential in all communities across Canada and we are proud to be funding this Scholarship to show that every student deserves a chance, regardless of socioeconomic status. Every young person deserves access to resources which can help them realize their creative and professional aspirations.”
The three inaugural Scholarship winners are Samar Jain and Nida Atique from British Columbia, and Eunsae Lee from Ontario, Canada. They have expressed immense gratitude for the financial support that will aid them in the pursuit of their dreams.
Jain is on track to make history as the first in his family to attend college. He remembers the moment he learned of his scholarship win with excitement and relief. “I felt unburdened. My family and I were relieved, happy, and excited,” he said. “I know that now I can be a little bit freer and foster educational and intellectual engagement without having to worry about finances and tuition costs.”
Atique was pleasantly surprised to find out she was selected as a winner. “I never would have thought that my passion for writing and literature could lead to such an accomplishment,” she said beaming. Lee, who initially found the application process daunting, had a similar reaction. “I was completely over the moon,” she said, noting that she had to re-read the email several times for the news to truly sink in.
The Giller Foundation’s long-term goals for the Scholarship include expanding access to literary resources and opportunities for underrepresented writers, fostering a more inclusive literary community, and ensuring that diverse stories are told and celebrated. Simultaneously, the Mantella Corporation anticipates a dual impact of the Scholarship: to empower recipients through financial resources and support and, by extension, the encouragement needed to pursue their literary dreams. “We are encouraging eligible students to apply before the April 2 deadline,” Mantella said. “We can’t wait to celebrate the next generation of talented young writers at the awards ceremony later this year.”
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