Where can I find grants for writers?
Candid does not give grants/donations, suggest specific funders, or approach them on your behalf. More about Candid’s mission. Please refer to the tips and websites in this article.
To get an overview of funding information and resources available to artists of all types, start by reading our Knowledge Base article: Where can I find grants for individual artists?
See also our related Knowledge Base articles:
Q: Where can I find grants for film or videomakers?
Q: Where can I find grants for musicians?
Q: Where can I find grants for performing artists?
Q: Where can I find grants for visual artists?
Q: What is an artist's statement? Where can I find samples?
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Ask usExplore resources curated by our staff for this topic:
Staff-recommended websites
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Academy of American Poets
American Poets Prizes
The Academy of American Poets supports American poets at all stages of their careers through its publications and programs, including the American Poets Prizes. Guidelines and entry forms are provided, where applicable.
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Writer's Digest
Annual Writing Competition
The Writer's Digest Annual Writing Competition spotlights writing in many genres including short fiction, poetry, script writing and nonfiction pieces. Awards 500 prizes from $25 up to the $5,000 grand prize, which also includes a feature article about the author in the magazine and a paid trip to the Writer's Digest Conference.
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Staff pick
Art Deadlines List
Art students, teachers, and artists of all ages can search for art contests and competitions; art jobs and internships; art scholarships, grants, and fellowships; art festivals; call for entries, proposals, and projects; and other opportunities in all disciplines.
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Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP)
AWP is a membership organization that supports writers and writing programs around the world. Opportunities for grants, awards and publication are available to members.
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Authors League Fund
Provides interest-free loans to professional writers and dramatists who find themselves in financial need because of medical or health-related problems, temporary loss of income, or other misfortunes.
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Poynter Institute
Awards & Prizes
Blog posts about awards, foundations, and fellowships available for journalists and editors.
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The Authors Guild
Contests, Grants & Residencies
Monthly announcements of grants, awards, and prizes for writers. Includes deadlines.
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PEN America
Emergency Funds for Writers
Provides a listing of national and regional emergency grants available to professional writers in acute financial crisis.
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WomenArts
Funding Resources Overview
This site brings together resources for funding for female artists of all disciplines, including links to emergency funding.
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Global Investigative Journalism Network
Grants and Fellowships
Lists short-term and long-term opportunities for investigative journalists around the world.
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Staff pick
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
Grants for Individuals
Several funding programs for individuals, including Literature and Creative Writing Fellowships, and funding for the translation of specific works into English.
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PEN America
Grants, Awards & Residencies
Provides a listing of grants, awards and residency programs for writers working in a variety of genres.
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National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
Guidelines for Scholarly Editions and Translations Grants
Grants to create editions and translations of already existing documents that are not currently accessible or available in an inadequate form.
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Staff pick
WomenArts
Literary Grants for Individuals
List of grant funding available to individual female writers.
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PEN America
PEN America Literary Awards
Since 1963, the PEN America Literary Awards have honored writers in fiction, poetry, science writing, essays, sports writing, biography, children's literature, and drama.
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Playwrights' Center
Programs & Fellowships
Grants and fellowships to playwrights and theater artists for the advancement of their careers in the profession.
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American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA)
Writers Emergency Assistance Fund
Dedicated to helping established freelance writers who are unable to work due to advanced age, illness, disability, a natural disaster, or an extraordinary professional crisis.
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Staff pick
Poets & Writers
Writing Contests, Grants & Awards
Poets & Writers is the primary source of information, support, and guidance for creative writers. The Writing Contests, Grants & Awards database includes details about creative writing contests—including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, awards for novels, and more.
Staff-recommended books
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The Profitable Artist: A Handbook for All Artists in the Performing, Literary, and Visual Arts (Second Edition)
Find: Amazon | Free eBook
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How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist: Selling Yourself without Selling Your Soul (Seventh Edition)
Find: Amazon | Free eBook