US cuts funding for Iowa’s International Writing Program

The US Department of State has terminated funding for the University of Iowa’s International Writing Program, which will significantly impact its operations.

The prestigious International Writing Program (IWP) at the University of Iowa faces significant changes after an unexpected termination of federal funding. On February 26, the US Department of State cut nearly $1 million in grants that have supported this influential literary program for almost six decades, citing misalignment with agency priorities and national interests.

Major program cuts and reduced residency capacity

According to a University of Iowa press release, the funding loss forces IWP to make substantial programming cuts, including:

• Cancellation of the summer youth program
• Elimination of distance learning courses
• Discontinuation of the Emerging Voices Mentorship Program
• Reduction of the 2025 Fall Residency cohort by approximately 50%

The Fall Residency, which typically hosts 30 writers, will continue on a smaller scale thanks to additional funding sources including gifts, grants, and support from international cultural ministries and NGOs.

Program’s cultural and economic significance

Since its founding in 1967, the IWP has hosted more than 1,600 writers from over 160 countries, including three Nobel Prize in Literature winners: Han Kang (South Korea, 2024), Orhan Pamuk (Turkey, 2006), and Mo Yan (China, 2012). The program’s 11-week residency has been instrumental in promoting cultural exchange and understanding through literature while contributing significantly to the local economy, with over 90% of federal grant funds being spent domestically.

IWP Director Christopher Merrill expressed determination to maintain the program’s mission despite the setback: “We are devastated by the abrupt end of this 58-year partnership and are working closely with the Office of General Counsel and the university’s grant accounting office to review the terminations, understand their full impact, and respond in the best interest of the organization.”

The program’s historical significance extends to its co-founders, Paul and Hualing Engle, who were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976 for their work in cultural diplomacy through the IWP.

Learn more about the program at IWP’s website or read their official statement.

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This story was generated in part by AI and edited by The Iowa Starting Line staff.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.