IUIN-Eric Sharp Gateway Poetry Writing Scholarship (Liberal Arts)

Overview:

This scholarship celebrates the life of Eric Sharp, a former IU School of Liberal Arts student, to honor his passion for writing and language. Eric particularly loved reading and writing poetry, sharing his intellectual liveliness, and his commitment to social justice. His legacy will continue to touch the many lives of future generations through the Eric Sharp Gateway Poem Writing Scholarship. This scholarship is for the best poem written in W206: Introduction to Creative Writing or W208: Introduction to Poetry Writing from the past year (last spring, summer, or fall semester).

Students may submit one (1) poem. Students may revise and edit their work before submitting it. Works submitted for the Eric Sharp Gateway Poetry Writing Scholarship many not be submitted for the Creative Nonfiction Award. Do not put your name on any submitted manuscript.

Recipients of this scholarship will be determined in a blind reading competition by an external judge chosen by English Department faculty in the IU School of Liberal Arts on IU Indy’s campus.

Eligibility:

Applicants must:

  • Be an undergraduate student at IU Indianapolis
  • Submit a poem written in W206 or W208 within the past year

Awarding:

This scholarship will be awarded and disbursed in the spring semester of the current academic year.

Renewability:

This scholarship is not renewable.

Award
1st place $500; 2nd place $400
Deadline
02/01/2026
Supplemental Questions
  1. For the best poem written in W206: Introduction to Creative Writing or W208: Introduction to Poetry Writing from the past year (last spring, summer, or fall semester).Do not put your name on any submitted manuscript.
  2. Submission 2 - optional
  3. Confirm that the piece you are submitting qualifies for the award after reading the guidelines. (No short stories should be submitted for this award)