Best Grants for Creative Writing in New York

Organizations in New York and California hosting public creative writing readings or workshops can apply for Poets & Writers’ mini-grants, awarding up to US $3,000 for writers’ fees. Colleges, libraries, cultural centers, prisons, hospitals, and other venues may be eligible, with priority for culturally diverse, underserved, or first-time programs featuring published poets and writers.

Individual poets, writers, translators, and other creative practitioners can apply for the Woodberry Poetry Room Creative Fellowship, which offers a US $5,000 stipend for immersive projects using Harvard’s poetry collections. Focused on writing, literature, and poetry, this opportunity includes a one-week residency at the T. S. Eliot House in Massachusetts and is open to all nationalities, including New York–based creatives.

501(c)(3) organizations in New York running creative or professional writing programs can apply for the New ERA Writers Program, with awards up to US $25,000 for workshops, clubs, curriculum, after-school or summer programs, and retreats. Funding from Cornelia T Bailey Charitable Trust supports safe, inspiring spaces and partnerships with qualified writing professionals.

Former students and auditors of Professor Samuel Freedman’s Book Seminar working on creative nonfiction book projects can receive support for proposals, research, or manuscript writing, including New York–based writers. Community Foundation of New Jersey’s Book Seminar Legacy Fund offers three annual grants of US $3,000 each starting in 2026.

Individual writers and other creative artists in New York can receive residential fellowships that provide time, space, and support to develop new work in disciplines including literature, theatre, film/video, and visual arts. MacDowell provides an inspiring, fee-free residency with studio, housing, meals, and optional need-based stipends and travel reimbursement for up to eight weeks.

Individual artists and artist collaborators working in writing, poetry, and other disciplines in New York can access funding through grants from New York Foundation for the Arts. The NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship provides an unrestricted US $8,000 cash award to eligible New York State and Tribal Nation residents, including those focused on creative writing and literature.

With a mission to support literary narrative nonfiction, New York Public Library provides New York writers with a US $30,000 Kate Medina Fellowship for four months of intensive research. Individual authors who can legally work in the U.S. and whose book projects require in-person use of NYPL’s Schwarzman Building collections may be eligible.

New York nonprofits sponsoring writers and other artists to create new work can receive US $10,000 in artist or commissioning fees through the Support for Artists program. New York State Council on the Arts funds projects in literature, interdisciplinary work, and other art forms that advance artists’ development and deepen ties with sponsoring organizations.

The Ella T. Grasso Literary Scholarship, provided by the UNICO Foundation, offers two $1,000 awards to college students of Italian descent. Candidates must submit an original essay or short story celebrating their heritage while being enrolled in a full-time, accredited U.S. college for the 2026-2027 academic year. This initiative highlights UNICO's commitment to supporting educational endeavors and preserving Italian culture within America.

LGBTQ+ playwrights and screenwriters in New York can apply for the Ryan Hudak LGBTQ+ Dramatic Writing Award, which provides US $8,000 in unrestricted support for completed dramatic writing. Offered by New York Foundation for the Arts, it may benefit creative writers working in stage, screen, audio, or related formats.

Early-career fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry writers residing in the U.S., including those from underrepresented communities, can receive US $1,500 and a five-month virtual mentorship-focused fellowship. New York creative writers may be eligible for PEN America’s Emerging Voices Fellowship, which offers professional guidance, craft workshops, industry access, and a supportive literary community.

New York creative writers and artists seeking time and space to work can apply for fully funded residencies covering poetry, playwriting, screenwriting, photography, film, and visual arts. Constance Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts offers 1–4 week sessions in Ithaca with weekly stipends and additional support for low-income applicants, parents, and full-time caregivers.

Literary Arts Project Grants

As part of its Literary Arts Initiative, South Arts is pleased to announce Literary Arts Project Grants supporting literary arts organizations and small presses that focus on contemporary literary arts.

These grants advance South Arts’ commitment to amplifying the literary traditions and artistic practices of the American South by directly supporting the development, production, and public engagement of high-quality literary projects.

Literary Arts Project Grants support projects in poetry, fiction, creative or literary nonfiction, young readers’ literature, and drama (scriptwriting). Projects must demonstrate artistic excellence, editorial rigor, and meaningful public or community impact.

Award Amount

South Arts will award up to $5,000 per project to eligible literary arts organizations and small presses.

Early-career Native writers and other Native artists in the U.S., including those in New York, can receive one-year LIFT awards of US $10,000 to develop and complete new creative projects. New York creative writing practitioners may be eligible if they meet the program’s criteria around Native citizenship, experience level, and prior award history.

The Barbara Hodgdon Award, presented by the Shakespeare Association of America (SAA), honors exceptional scholarship in the field of Shakespeare and Performance. Established in memory of Barbara Hodgdon, this award encourages innovative research across various media and time periods related to Shakespeare's work. Eligible submissions must be authored by SAA members and published two years prior to the award presentation. This recognition promotes new discussions and insights within the realm of Shakespearean performance studies.

The Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship in Literatures in English, offered by Cornell University's Society for the Humanities, invites applications for a two-year position starting August 1, 2026. This fellowship seeks candidates specializing in African American literature and culture, with a preference for those with expertise in gender, sexuality, or media studies. The fellow will conduct research, teach two courses annually, and engage in departmental events and seminars, contributing to the academic community.

The J. Leeds Barroll Dissertation Prize, awarded by the Shakespeare Association of America, honors exemplary doctoral work with a significant focus on Shakespeare. This prestigious award is conferred annually during the SAA’s Annual Luncheon. To be eligible, applicants must be SAA members in good standing, and dissertations must be approved between September 1, 2024, and September 1, 2025. This prize encourages innovative research and scholarship in Shakespeare studies.

The ISF Media Scholarship Program, established by the Islamic Scholarship Fund, supports American Muslim students pursuing degrees in media-related fields. With scholarships ranging from $3,000 to $5,000, the program aims to enhance Muslim representation in media and policy, counter negative portrayals, and foster positive narratives. Eligible applicants must be full-time students or working professionals in supported majors like media studies and journalism, maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0.

The Allan S. and Maureen A. Costello Memorial Scholarship aims to address contemporary needs through diverse funding avenues and community awareness. This unique foundation focuses on the holistic well-being of the community, encompassing education, arts, infrastructure, animals, the environment, and wellness. By fostering creative solutions, the scholarship not only supports individual aspirations but also nurtures the collective growth of the community, ensuring a brighter future for all.

The SAA First Book Award, presented by the Shakespeare Association of America (SAA), honors the legacy of Jerome Singerman and supports early career scholars. This prestigious award recognizes the best monograph with a significant Shakespeare component, published as the first book by a current SAA member between September 1, 2024, and September 1, 2025. The award will be announced during the SAA’s Annual Luncheon, celebrating contributions to Shakespeare studies.

The SAA Shakespeare Publics Award, presented by the Shakespeare Association of America, celebrates innovative efforts that engage diverse publics with Shakespeare's works. Open to SAA members, the award recognizes projects that promote teaching, scholarship, performance, and activism. Since its inception in 1972, the SAA has fostered dialogue and collaboration among scholars, enhancing the appreciation of Shakespeare's impact on culture. This award highlights the importance of broadening access to Shakespeare's legacy in today's society.

The RWA Perseverance Fund, administered by the Romance Writers of America (RWA), supports members in financial need for their annual national dues. RWA, a nonprofit organization, is dedicated to advancing the interests of romance writers through advocacy and networking. The fund is available to applicants who can demonstrate financial need and commitment to a career in romance writing. Eligibility includes submitting proof of work, while ensuring a respectful and inclusive environment for all members.

Brooklyn-based nonprofit organizations and artist–nonprofit partnerships can apply for $2,500 - US $5,000 from the New York State Council on the Arts to support community-engaged local arts projects. With a mission to strengthen arts and culture, NYSCA provides New York writing and literature projects, including interdisciplinary work, with support for public programs across Brooklyn.

Upper Manhattan artists, writers, and arts organizations presenting public arts projects in 2026 can access funding of US $1,000 - US $10,000 through the UMEZ Arts Engagement program in New York. Grants from Lower Manhattan Cultural Council help creative writing and literature projects, alongside other art forms, reach Upper Manhattan communities.

Manhattan-based individual writers, literary artists, arts groups, and community organizations presenting public creative writing or literature projects in New York can receive US $4,000 - US $12,000 through the Creative Engagement program. Lower Manhattan Cultural Council supports public-facing arts activities across disciplines, including writing and literature, especially for those unable to apply directly to major arts funding agencies.

The PIDS Foundation's Apprenticeship Program fosters early-career pediatric infectious diseases physicians, enhancing their skills in academic publishing. Named in honor of Ralph D. Feigin, the program offers junior faculty members the opportunity to engage with the editorial process of the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society. Recipients will contribute to manuscript discussions and special projects, committing approximately four hours weekly. The award will be presented during the PIDS Annual Membership Meeting at IDWeek 2025, with the term spanning October 2025 to October 2026.

Individual Staten Island artists working in writing and literature can apply for the SU-CASA grant in New York, which funds 3‑month creative residencies in senior centers. Supported by the New York State Council on the Arts, awards of US $8,000 cover artist stipends and materials for community-engaged workshops and public programs.