The Steinbeck Fellows Program, hosted by San José State University, is a one-year residency that provides writers with a $15,000 stipend and the time and space to advance a project. Up to six fellows are selected annually, forming a small cohort of dedicated practitioners. The fellowship honors John Steinbeck's legacy in literature, media, and environmental activism, and currently supports work in Steinbeck scholarship and creative writing—specifically fiction, drama, creative nonfiction, and biography. Poetry is not eligible. Fellows are expected to give one public reading from their work and must reside within the San Francisco Bay Area, adjacent counties of the California central coast, or the central valley for most of the academic year. This geographic requirement ensures fellows can engage with the university and regional literary communities. The fellowship does not charge an application fee, and the application requires a project proposal, résumé/CV, a writing sample of up to 25 pages, and three letters of recommendation, which must be submitted by January 31. The program's curatorial vision is rooted in Steinbeck's own interdisciplinary curiosity and social engagement. It seeks writers whose projects demonstrate literary merit and a serious commitment to their craft, whether through narrative, dramatic, or factual forms. The residency offers a supportive environment for fellows to develop their work, with the expectation that they will contribute to the intellectual life of the university and the broader community.