Best Grants for Creative Writing in Nevada

Individual creative writers and performing or literary artists in Nevada can apply for Nevada Arts Council's Artist Fellowship Award, offering US $5,000 to recognize excellence at pivotal points in their careers. Eligible applicants are Nevada residents age 21+ who are not degree-seeking students in a related field and meet citizenship or residency requirements.

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 fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry writers in the U.S., including those in Nevada, can access funding and mentorship through the Emerging Voices Fellowship; awards US $1,500 plus intensive support. Nevada creative writers from underrepresented communities may benefit from PEN America’s five-month virtual program of mentorship, workshops, and industry connections.

Early-career Native writers, poets, and other artists in Nevada and across the U.S. can receive one-year, US $10,000 project grants to develop new work and uplift their communities. Nevada creative writing applicants may access Native Arts & Cultures Foundation support that includes funding, professional development, culturally grounded evaluation, and communications and marketing assistance.

Hendrix-Murphy Foundation

Enhancing literature & language at Hendrix College since 1978.

In homage to Bertie Wilson Murphy’s passion for the study and appreciation of literature and language, the Hendrix-Murphy Foundation at Hendrix College was founded in 1978 with an endowment by her son, Charles H. Murphy, Jr., former CEO of Murphy Oil Corporation. Mrs. Murphy was a 1905 graduate of Galloway Women’s College in Searcy, Ark., which merged with Hendrix College in Conway in the 1930s. Charles H. Murphy, Jr., was a member of the Hendrix Board of Trustees and served as chair. 

The Foundation's programs are overseen by a Board of Directors that is headed by the president of the College and includes Murphy family members, the provost, and representatives from the Hendrix Board of Trustees.

The Hendrix-Murphy Book Award

Hendrix is proud to offer the Hendrix-Murphy Book Award to an outstanding high school junior who demonstrates distinguished scholarship or leadership in literary studies (English, creative writing, foreign languages, or drama).

Hendrix-Murphy Book Award recipients will receive a copy of Poems to Read: A New Favorite Poems Anthology, edited by Robert Pinsky and Maggie Dietz.

Students may be nominated by their English, languages, creative writing, or drama teacher or guidance counselor by using the required form.

The Lazarus Family Scholarship in Bioethics and Humanities, offered by the AMA Foundation, supports students engaged in bioethics or the humanities, including art, music, and literature. This scholarship aims to foster the next generation of physician leaders by providing financial assistance to those who are committed to advancing health equity and community service. By recognizing diverse fields of study, it emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in medicine and the humanities.

The PEN Prison Writing Awards, initiated after the 1971 Attica Prison Riots, invites incarcerated writers in the U.S. to submit unpublished works across various genres including Poetry, Fiction, and Memoir. Winners receive cash prizes and their works are published in an annual anthology. This program not only recognizes talent within carceral facilities but also supports writers through mentorship, fostering creativity and expression in challenging circumstances.

The Sundance Collab's Cultural Impact Residency, honoring Michael Latt, is a six-month online program supporting early-career, underrepresented storytellers focused on social impact. Running from March to August 2026, it offers mentorship, feedback sessions, and resources to eight selected fellows in screenwriting, directing, and documentary filmmaking. This opportunity is designed for works-in-progress, fostering a supportive creative community to inspire and develop impactful narratives.

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.

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.

Early-career pediatric infectious diseases physicians interested in academic writing and publishing can apply for an apprenticeship that develops editorial and manuscript review skills, including in Nevada. With a mission to support pediatric infectious disease scholarship, PIDS Foundation provides U.S. medical faculty with more than US $5,000 and intensive editorial experience through the JPIDS Feigin Apprenticeship.

Scholars and writers working on Shakespeare and performance-focused writing and literature in Nevada can access recognition through the Barbara Hodgdon Award, honoring outstanding scholarship on Shakespeare’s works and adaptations. Grants from Shakespeare Association of America help members whose innovative articles on Shakespeare and performance appeared in print or online within the eligible publication window.

Doctoral candidates whose dissertations feature a significant Shakespeare component can seek recognition and support through the J. Leeds Barroll Dissertation Prize, presented by the Shakespeare Association of America. Focused on writing and literature, this national award may benefit Nevada scholars engaged in advanced academic study and creative-critical work on Shakespeare.

Nevada creative writing scholars with first-time monographs on Shakespeare may be eligible for the SAA First Book Award, honoring a significant Shakespeare-focused book by a current member. Grants from Shakespeare Association of America help writing and literature researchers gain recognition, with the prize presented at the association’s annual luncheon.

Creative writing and literature organizations in Nevada working on Shakespeare-related teaching, scholarship, performance, or activism can seek recognition through this award, which honors efforts to build broad and diverse Shakespeare publics. The Shakespeare Association of America invites applications or nominations from SAA members, including collaborative projects with at least one member in good standing.

Literary translators of book-length prose published by a U.S. trade publisher, including those working on creative writing projects in Nevada, can apply for PEN America's PEN Translation Prize. Focused on writing and literature, this annual award grants US $3,000 to the translator of an eligible work originally published in another language.

Publishers of book-length poetry in translation in Nevada can access funding through PEN America’s PEN Award for Poetry in Translation, which honors English translations of single-author poetry originally published in another language. Eligible titles must be released by a U.S. trade publisher; translators of any nationality may receive the US $3,000 prize.

Authors of single-author nonfiction books published by a U.S. trade publisher can receive US $10,000 for intellectually rigorous, stylistically strong works that illuminate contemporary issues. Grants from PEN America help writers, including those with creative nonfiction or memoir projects in Nevada, gain national recognition through the PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Nonfiction.

Authors of single-author biographies published by a U.S. trade publisher can apply for PEN America’s PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award for Biography; awards US $5,000 for outstanding biography. Nevada creative nonfiction and biography writers whose works meet the publication and genre criteria may be eligible for this national literary prize.

U.S. authors of creative nonfiction on physical or biological sciences with books published in the eligible year may be considered for this $10,000 literary science writing award, including those based in Nevada. PEN America supports writing that explains complex science for general readers; eligible titles must be single-author, traditionally published works.

Nevada creative nonfiction writers with a U.S.-published collection of essays can access funding through PEN America’s PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award for the Art of the Essay. This annual national award grants US $15,000 to a seasoned single-author essayist who is a permanent U.S. resident or citizen with at least one prior essay collection.

Poets with a distinguished collection of poetry published by a U.S. trade publisher can receive recognition and US $5,000 through the PEN/Voelcker Award for Poetry Collection. With a mission to celebrate literary excellence, PEN America provides permanent U.S. residents and citizens, including those in Nevada, with annual support for notable poetry collections.

Authors of color with English-language books of fiction, literary nonfiction, biography, memoir, or poetry published by a U.S. trade publisher can apply for PEN America’s PEN Open Book Award; awards US $10,000 and an artist residency. Nevada-based creative writers meeting these criteria may be eligible, regardless of citizenship or residency.

Editors of literary magazines, journals, or cultural websites publishing debut short fiction in English, including those featuring Nevada writers, can apply for PEN America’s PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize; awards US $2,000 per writer. Twelve emerging authors are recognized annually, with winning stories published in Catapult’s Best Debut Short Stories anthology.

Debut fiction authors with a first short story collection published by a U.S. trade publisher can receive US $25,000 to support future literary work through the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize. PEN America provides Nevada and other U.S. writers in writing and literature with recognition and resources for distinguished debut collections.

The Jonathan and Barbara Silver Foundation offers a $20,000 grant for writers focusing on sculpture, encouraging diverse voices in this field. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, or hold an O-1 visa, and have published work within the last five years. The grant aims to support fresh perspectives on the history and aesthetics of sculpture, promoting artistic growth and innovation. Applications are limited to one submission per individual, ensuring a fair opportunity for all.

The Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize, established in 1975, awards $25,000 to the best book of poetry published in the U.S. the previous year. It includes a ten-day residency at Glen Hollow, New York, and distribution to Academy of American Poets members. Eligible poets must be U.S. citizens or residents and submit original works published in the prior year. Self-published books and translations are ineligible, promoting excellence in contemporary American poetry.