Grants for Creative Writing
Last updated October 10, 2026
Grantable tracks 283 active grants for creative writing in its free grants database, drawn from state and foundation sources and updated daily. 166 list an award amount, with a median of $5,000.
- Grants tracked
- 283
- from 181 funders
- Median award
- $5,000
- middle half $2,575–$25K
- Total listed funding
- $12.3M
- across 166 grants that list an amount
- Rolling deadlines
- 4
- 13 with a published date
On this page: State Foundation · Updated daily
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| ★ | Grant |
|---|---|
| UK Annual Writing Award: 'Pleasure in the Task of Writing' International Churchill Society · Foundation ~November · Varies An annual research and writing award for post-16 UK students inspired by the life of Winston Spencer Churchill. | |
| Firecracker Awards Council of Literary Magazines and Presses · Foundation ~November · $1K – $2K The CLMP Firecracker Awards for Independently Published Literature are given annually to celebrate books and magazines that make significant contributions to literary culture and the publishers that introduce important voices to readers. | |
| Minnesota Book Awards The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library · Foundation ~November · $500 The 38th annual Minnesota Book Awards is a year-long program that connects readers and writers throughout Minnesota with the stories of our neighbors. | |
| CLMP Firecracker Awards for Independently Published Literature Council of Literary Magazines and Presses · Foundation ~November · $1K – $2K The CLMP Firecracker Awards for Independently Published Literature are given annually to celebrate the books and magazines that make a significant contribution to literary culture and the publishers that introduce important voices to… | |
| Louis Padovano Grants The Lotos Foundation Inc · Foundation ~December · Varies The Lotos Foundation awards organizational grants to not-for-profit organizations based in the New York City metropolitan area who offer outstanding arts and science programs, free-of-charge, to middle-school and high school students from… | |
| Artist in Residence Program Lakewood Heritage Foundation · Foundation ~December · $500 – $10K The Artist in Residence program supports artists in creating unique deliverable products, programs, or events at Lakewood Cemetery. The grant must result in a tangible outcome that will be presented to the public. | |
| Susan G. Baker and Elizabeth Boyle Innovation Fund National Alliance to End Homelessness · Foundation ~December · Up to $25K For any inquiries or assistance regarding the application process, contact bbfund@naeh.org | |
| Gwen Higgins English Scholarship (Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana) Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana · Foundation ~March · $2K 'The Gwen Higgins English Scholarship was established by the family of Mrs. Miriam Gwendolyn Pilcher Higgins to honor her and her love of English literature. | |
| Hart-Thomas Scholarship Brighton School Alumni Association Inc · Foundation ~March · $1K Founded by BHS'71 alumna Ruth E. Thaler-Carter. This scholarship honors two educators: | |
| Frank Waters Award Friends of the Pikes Peak Library District · Foundation ~June · $2K | |
| Golden Quill Award Friends of the Pikes Peak Library District · Foundation ~June · $1K | |
| Artist Fellowships (IAF) Division of the Arts Grants · State Aug 2, 2027 · Varies Support of individual artists in their work as visual, performing, media, folk, and/or literary artists. Eligible applicants are Delaware residents, 18 years of age or older, not enrolled in a degree-granting program. | |
| MVJ Scholarship for Bitchin' Writers Course Military Veterans in Journalism Inc · Foundation Not published · $200 – $900 Informal online class designed to teach military veterans how to pitch stories and sustain careers as freelance journalists. Includes video content, 1-on-1 calls, group calls, Facebook group networking, homework, and action steps. | |
| Pillars Artist Fellowship Pillars Fund · Foundation Not published · $40K The Pillars Artist Fellowship was launched in 2021 by Pillars Fund in partnership with Riz Ahmed's Left Handed Films, with critical seed investments from Netflix and Amazon MGM Studios. | |
| Juneau Arts & Humanities Council Student Scholarships Grant Juneau Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Juneau Arts & Humanities Council Student Scholarships are designed to promote youth involvement in the arts. Funded by the Juneau Community Foundation, these scholarships support students pursuing music, visual arts, dance, and writing. | |
| South Arts Express Grants South Arts Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies _NOTE: Applications for this program are now closed._ South Arts believes that rural communities deserve great art, and can require specialized support to make that vision viable. | |
| Del Shores Foundation Writers Search Del Shores Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies A playwriting competition established by the Del Shores Foundation to discover and support new theatrical voices. | |
| George A. Bragg Scholarship Grant Beckley Area Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Easily learn more about the George A. The next deadline for this grant is Mon, 01 Mar 2027. Beckley Area Foundation was established in January 1985 by ten community-minded citizens. | |
| Publication & Arts Grants Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm Nat'l Heritage Corridor Communities Assoc · Foundation Not published · Varies Support publication and artistic projects that recognize, preserve, and interpret the historic, scenic, and natural recreational resources and cultural landscapes of the Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm historic transportation corridor. | |
| Alabama State Council on the Arts Literary Grant - Consolidated Project Alabama State Council on the Arts · Foundation Not published · $5K – $20K The Alabama State Council on the Arts Literary Grant - Consolidated Project aims to enhance the quality of life and economic vitality for Alabamians by supporting diverse artistic resources. | |
| Kala’s Fellowship Residency Program Grant Kala Art Institute · Foundation Not published · $3K The Kala Fellowship Program offers innovative artists a unique residency experience. Funded by the Kala Art Institute, this fellowship provides financial support of $3,000, extensive studio access, and a collaborative community. | |
| Artist Fellowship Grant - Artist Fellowship Grants Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development · Foundation Not published · Up to $3K The Artist Fellowship Grant offers $3,000 to Connecticut artists across all disciplines to support new work and enhance their careers. | |
| Venturous Playwright Fellowship Lark Theatre Company Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies A fellowship program offered by The Lark supporting playwrights whose work is risk-taking and/or deemed "difficult" to produce. Supports artistic innovation and bold theatrical work that may face production challenges. | |
| BGDM Sustainable Artist Grant Brown Girls Doc Mafia Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies |
Showing 1–24 of 282
Grants for creative writing by the numbers
How deadlines work
- Rolling or ongoing
- 4 1%
- Upcoming date published
- 13 5%
- Stated cycle, no date yet
- 81 29%
- No deadline published
- 185 65%
Only 13 of these grants publish a date, too few to show a seasonal pattern.
Funders with the most active grants for creative writing
- Pen American Center Inc 20 active
- The Dramatists Guild Fund Inc 10 active
- Moving Picture Institute 7 active
- South Arts Inc 7 active
- Virginia Center for the Creative Arts 6 active
- Caxton Club 5 active
181 funders have at least one active grant in this category.
Source: Grantable's grants database, compiled from funder websites, Grants.gov and state grant portals. Figures cover all 283 active grants for creative writing (with a deadline today or later, or none published) as of October 10, 2026, and refresh daily. Award amounts are each grant's listed maximum.
About grants for creative writing
Grants for creative writing support fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction through fellowships, residencies, and project funding. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Creative Writing Fellowships award funds to published writers in prose and poetry on an alternating-year cycle, judged anonymously on artistic merit. State arts councils, literary foundations, and writing organizations provide additional fellowships, awards, and residency support for writers at all career stages.
Grants for Creative Writing by state
Browse grants for creative writing available to organizations in 5 states.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money do grants for creative writing award?
Of the 283 grants for creative writing Grantable lists as of October 10, 2026, 166 publish an award amount. The median listed award is $5,000, and the middle half fall between $2,575 and $25K. The largest is $7.5M. Amounts are each grant's stated maximum, so a typical award can be smaller.
Which funders offer the most grants for creative writing?
By number of active listings, the leading funders are Pen American Center Inc (20), The Dramatists Guild Fund Inc (10), Moving Picture Institute (7), South Arts Inc (7), and Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (6). In all, 181 funders have at least one active grant in this category.
When are grants for creative writing due?
Of 283 grants listed, 4 accept applications on a rolling basis, 13 have a published upcoming deadline, 81 run on a stated cycle (such as annual or quarterly) without a published date, and 185 don't publish a deadline, so check the funder's site.
What grants are available for creative writers?
Creative writers can apply for fellowships and grants that provide time and resources for writing, research, travel, and career development. The NEA Creative Writing Fellowships support published writers in prose and poetry, and state arts councils, literary nonprofits, and private foundations offer additional fellowships, project grants, and residencies for fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction.
Who funds individual writers?
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is a leading federal source of fellowships for individual creative writers, awarding support based on the artistic excellence of a writing sample. State arts agencies, regional arts organizations, university programs, and private literary foundations also fund writers directly through fellowships, prizes, and residencies.
Do I need to be published to apply for writing fellowships?
Many competitive fellowships, including the NEA Creative Writing Fellowships, require a record of publication to demonstrate that an applicant is a working writer. That said, opportunities exist for writers at all stages, including emerging-writer awards, residencies, and project grants with lighter eligibility requirements, so it is worth checking each program's guidelines carefully.
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