Best Grants for Creative Writing in Michigan

Michigan college students studying writing with at least a 3.0 GPA can receive scholarship support for their education through the Ladies Literary Club Scholarship. Grand Rapids Community Foundation provides Michigan creative writing and literature students from Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, or Ottawa counties with funding to pursue college or career training in-state.

501(c)(3) nonprofits in Michigan working in writing, literature, education, or related fields can apply for the Joseph E. Beauchamp Charitable Trust’s broad charitable support. Funding can assist religious, educational, scientific, literary, animal welfare, or human services projects, especially those led by Protestant or non-sectarian agencies, and may benefit creative writing initiatives.

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 artists in fields like writing, poetry, film, music, dance, theater, visual, traditional, or performance arts can receive US $10,000 to create a new project and build their careers. Michigan creative writers who meet the Native citizenship, U.S. residency, and experience criteria may be eligible, with added professional development and marketing support.

Early-career creative writers in fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry residing in Michigan and across the U.S. can apply for PEN America’s Emerging Voices Fellowship, which offers US $1,500 and a five-month virtual mentorship. Writers from underrepresented communities receive professional guidance, industry access, workshops, and community support to advance their publishing careers.

Emerging individual writers and literary artists in Michigan’s Macomb, Oakland, or Wayne counties can apply for Gilda Awards, which provide US $5,000 in unrestricted support for creative work. Grants from Kresge Foundation help early-career literary and visual artists gaining momentum, especially those taking creative risks in forms like fiction, poetry, spoken word, and graphic novels.

Individual creative writers and visual artists in Michigan’s Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties can receive US $50,000 Kresge Artist Fellowships to advance their artistic careers. Kresge Foundation provides metro Detroit literary and visual artists with unrestricted awards, career support, and a short film, recognizing excellence in disciplines such as fiction, poetry, spoken word, and graphic novels.

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 worldwide gain recognition for nonfiction or memoir, including those creating book‑length creative writing that reaches readers in Michigan and beyond.

Publishers of book-length poetry translations in Michigan can access funding through PEN America for original works translated into English and released by a U.S. trade publisher. The PEN Award for Poetry in Translation grants US $3,000 to the translator of an eligible title first published in another language, with up to two translators allowed.

Literary translators of book-length prose published by U.S. trade publishers can receive US $3,000 from the PEN Translation Prize for outstanding English translations. Focused on writing and literature, PEN America invites submissions of original, previously non-English works; Michigan-based translators may be eligible if their titles meet the national publication criteria.

Michigan creative writing and literature professionals working with Shakespeare-focused teaching, scholarship, performance, or activism may be eligible for this public engagement award. Shakespeare Association of America supports pioneering, culturally significant projects that foster, engage, support, and sustain broad and diverse Shakespeare publics; applicants or nominees must include at least one SAA member in good standing.

Creative writing scholars in Michigan working on book-length studies of Shakespeare can apply for the SAA First Book Award, which honors a first monograph with a significant Shakespeare component. Grants from Shakespeare Association of America help current SAA members publish their first scholarly books and gain recognition at the association’s annual luncheon.

Doctoral candidates whose dissertations feature a significant Shakespeare component can seek recognition and support through the J. Leeds Barroll Dissertation Prize, presented annually by the Shakespeare Association of America. Michigan scholars in writing and literature may be eligible if they are SAA members and their dissertations are approved between 1 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.

Michigan scholars and writers focused on Shakespeare and performance studies can receive recognition for outstanding published work through the Barbara Hodgdon Award, administered by the Shakespeare Association of America. Eligible SAA members in good standing may submit a single article on Shakespeare and performance, in any medium, published in the specified calendar year.

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.

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 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 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 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.

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.

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, with awards of US $5,000 for exceptional works. Michigan and other writers of rigorously researched, literary biographies may be recognized for books released in the previous calendar year.

Science writers with a single-author book on physical or biological sciences and published by a traditional press can receive US $10,000 for literary science writing; authors must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Michigan creative nonfiction writers whose work explains complex science to general readers may be eligible for the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award.

Michigan creative nonfiction authors 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 national award offers US $15,000 for a single-author essay collection from a seasoned writer who is a permanent U.S. resident or citizen, published by a U.S. trade publisher.

Poets with a distinguished poetry collection published by a U.S. trade publisher can receive support for their work, including those based in Michigan. With a mission to celebrate literary excellence, PEN America provides a US $5,000 PEN/Voelcker Award for a collection that expands the scope of American poetry by a permanent U.S. resident or citizen.

The PEN Open Book Award, presented by PEN America, recognizes literary works by authors of color published in the U.S. during the year. With a focus on diversity, it awards a $10,000 prize and a residency in Italy to authors who have not yet garnered significant media attention. This award promotes underrepresented voices in literature, celebrating fiction, nonfiction, and poetry that challenge the norms and enrich the literary landscape.

The PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers, awarded by PEN America, recognizes twelve emerging writers annually for their debut short story published in a literary outlet. Each winner receives a $2,000 cash prize, and their stories are published in an anthology by Catapult. The prize aims to foster new voices in fiction, inspired by Robert J. Dau's legacy, highlighting the importance of literary excellence and encouraging the next generation of writers.

The PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for Debut Short Story Collection recognizes an outstanding debut collection of short stories by a talented fiction writer. Awarded by PEN America, this prize highlights the literary achievements of new voices in fiction and offers a $25,000 cash prize to support the winner's future work. Established in memory of Robert W. Bingham, it honors his commitment to nurturing young writers and their contributions to literature.