The Open Institute

Be part of the next generation of writing and research. Tell stories that make change.

This scholarship supports new voices in social research with training, mentorship, and a stipend for students enrolled in the Open Institute’s Higher Diploma in Writing and Research (Level 5).

Applications due Jan 9, one week ahead of the diploma’s early admission deadline. See our website for more details.

https://theopen.institute/events/2026-01-09/scholarship-competition-writing-and-research

Enrollment for Spring 2026 is open!

Writing and Research is a 1-year UK-accredited post-graduate diploma program.

Aspiring writers from outside Kathmandu Valley are strongly encouraged to apply. Financial aid available for qualified students. Hybrid classes: online and in-person.

Apply today: https://theopen.institute/events/2026-01-16/writing-and-research-application-deadline-early-admission

Early Deadline: Jan 16, 2026.

For more details, check out our website: https://theopen.institute

Photo: Dia Yonzon

https://theopen.institute/ethnography

The OI Prize in New Ethnographic Writing is an annual award granted in recognition of outstanding new research. We invite authors to submit articles and essays on any subject relevant to contemporary social science, especially those that look beyond the traditional boundaries of ethnography.

We are looking for work that demonstrates immersive participant observation, a commitment to effective storytelling, and arguments that disrupt assumptions. No particular academic background is required. We especially encourage authors from underrepresented communities and socioeconomic backgrounds to apply.

OI Prize in New Ethnographic Writing | The Open Institute Deadline extended to November 30, 2025 Winner: 100,000 NPR Two Honorable Mentions: 25,000 NPR each The OI Prize in New Ethnographic Writing is an annual award granted in recognition of outstanding new research. We invite authors to submit articles and essays on any subject relevant to contemporary s...

Final deadline for applications! This UK-based program will help you develop your skills to become the writer and thinker you want to be.

Financial aid program for qualified students. Hybrid online and in-person. Students outside of Kathmandu encouraged to apply.

https://theopen.institute/events/2025-08-08/writing-and-research-final-deadline

Higher Diploma in Writing and Research (Level 5) | The Open Institute Liberal arts teaching philosophy; world class student-led learning; and a supportive infrastructure. No barriers to talent.

We're pleased to announce The OI Prize in New Ethnographic Writing, an annual award granted in recognition of outstanding new research. We invite authors to submit articles and essays on any subject relevant to contemporary social science, especially those that look beyond the traditional boundaries of ethnography.

We are looking for work that demonstrates immersive participant observation, a commitment to effective storytelling, and arguments that disrupt assumptions. No particular academic background is required. We especially encourage authors from underrepresented communities and socioeconomic backgrounds to apply.

Submission deadline: 31 October 2025
First Prize: 100,000 NPR

OI Prize in New Ethnographic Writing | The Open Institute OI Prize in New Ethnographic Writing Winner: 100,000 NPR Two Honorable Mentions: 25,000 NPR each The OI Prize in New Ethnographic Writing is an annual award granted in recognition of outstanding new research. We invite authors to submit articles and essays on any subject relevant to contemporary soc...

Writing and Research (a 1-year, UK-accredited Post-Graduate Diploma)

Enrollment is now open for Fall 2025! Come join our community. Become the writer and thinker you want to be.

Aspiring writers from outside the Kathmandu Valley strongly encouraged to apply! Financial aid available to qualified applicants.

Higher Diploma in Writing and Research (Level 5) | The Open Institute Liberal arts teaching philosophy; world class student-led learning; and a supportive infrastructure. No barriers to talent.

Get the skills to tell your story: Writing and Research (a 1-year, UK-accredited Higher Diploma)

Enrollment is now open for Fall 2025! Come join our community. Become the writer and thinker you were meant to be.

Writing and Research Early Application Deadline | The Open Institute Apply now to join the next session of our 1-year Higher Diploma.

Wonder & Write
bit.ly/wonderandwrite

Wonder & Write is a 5-week course designed to help you rediscover the joy of wondering through readings, discussions, writing, and a supportive community. You don’t have to be a writer, just someone who is curious to explore.

What will you gain?

Learn the art of observation using 5 senses of sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste.

Develop your writing muscle by writing everyday during the 5 week period.

Get valuable feedback from peers about what they find interesting about your writing and where you could improve.

Join the community of supportive writers and readers.

Apply through the link in bio. Apply by April 30.

RIDE TO THE EMERGENCY, a field memo by Ishika Thapa

Sita is saying something downstairs to Bir.

She yells unusually loud and I get up from bed and run down. I ask, “What’s going on?”

Sita says, “Something has happened to bhai... we must get there right away.”

I assume it’s bad, but I am scared to ask.
I run upstairs to take my bag. I don’t put anything in it, and I head out the door.

Sita is on the phone and pacing. She’s on speaker and she’s saying, “Pragati called crying, that’s how I knew. We are on our way there.”

Sita paces further by taking long quick steps, and she forgets to end the call.

Read the full piece here: https://openinst.notion.site/ride-to-the-emergency-room

📷: Ishika Thapa

NOTES FROM THE FIELD is a glimpse into the kind of ethnographic research writing that our students engage in as they create knowledge around the questions they pursue.

The Open Institute

KIWI AND MEMORIES
a field memo by Srizu Bajracharya ()

As I stepped into Maili didi’s small kitchen, she immediately busied herself making a cup of coffee. She took out the shiniest cup from the shelf to pour the hot drink. And together, we sat next to each other sipping our coffee. It had been a year since I met Maili didi. She had a shawl wrapped around her, and her cap, which could also be used to cover her neck, towered above her head, but she didn’t mind. She just kept expressing the joy of seeing me. “You are finally in my house. I am just so happy to see you,” she said. [...]

Read the rest of memo via link in bio or here: https://openinst.notion.site/kiwi-and-memories

NOTES FROM THE FIELD is a glimpse into the kind of ethnographic research writing that our students engage in as they create knowledge around the questions they pursue.

Home | The Open Institute The Open Institute for Social Science is a research and teaching cooperative based in Kathmandu, Nepal.

We might seem like a small movement in writing and research in Nepal, but there is nothing small about the work we do.

Join us! Spring 2025 intake for Higher Diploma in Writing & Research is open.

Deadline: January 15.

Apply here: https://theopen.institute/events/2025-01-15/writing-and-research-application-deadline

📸: .skopia

Writing and Research Application Deadline | The Open Institute Apply now to join the next session of our 1-year Higher Diploma.

Writing and Research, a UK-accredited 1yr Higher Diploma

Start the new year with a new version of yourself.

Give yourself the gift of time, community and resource to be the best writer, thinker and researcher you can be.

https://theopen.institute/events/2025-01-15/writing-and-research-application-deadline
Register today via link in bio 👆🏽

Deadline: January 15, 2025

Photo: .skopia

Writing and Research Application Deadline | The Open Institute Apply now to join the next session of our 1-year Higher Diploma.