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Best Grants for Creative Writing

Explore creative writing grants supporting authors, workshops, literary journals, and storytelling programs.

439

Available grants

$5.6M

Total funding

$5K

Median grant

439 grants
$5.6M total
$5K median

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439 Results based on applied filters

Trusler Foundation Grants

Emporia Community Foundation
Private
Chase County, Kansas, Coffey County, Kansas +1 more
More than US $10,000
The Trusler Foundation, established in 1957 by Harold and Irene Trusler, provides significant financial support for charitable, religious, scientific, literary, and educational purposes in Lyon, Chase, and Coffey counties. With a minimum grant request of $10,000 starting January 1, 2018, priority is given to projects that positively impact the region's economic development. Only one application per organization is allowed each year, ensuring focused support for long-term community benefits.
Human & Social Services Community Services Religion & Spirituality +4 more

FDC Foundation Grant

FDC Foundation
Private
United States
Unspecified amount
The FDC Foundation, established in 2008, is a private non-profit dedicated to providing grants to 501(c)(3) public charities across three main areas: Health & Nutrition, Education, and Housing. The foundation supports initiatives that improve nutrition, assist diabetic individuals, enhance early childhood development, and promote housing opportunities for those in need. However, it does not fund for-profit entities or international organizations, nor does it provide grants for specific excluded purposes.
Early Childhood Development Writing & Literature Integrative & Alternative Health +6 more

IPCF's Mirza/Arts & Culture Grants

Illinois Prairie Community Foundation
Private
De Witt County, Illinois, Livingston County, Illinois +2 more
US $600 - US $5,000
The IPCF's Mirza/Arts & Culture Grants support programs focused on art, music, and theatre education, as well as performing and visual arts. Open to tax-exempt organizations, these grants encourage innovative projects benefiting residents of McLean, DeWitt, Livingston, and Logan counties. Applicants may request funding between $600 and $5,000, with a minimum request of $500. The grants emphasize ongoing self-sufficiency and measurable outcomes, fostering community enrichment through diverse artistic initiatives.
Art Education Performing Arts Visual Arts +3 more

The Rocky Mountain Modern Language Association/Huntington Library Fellowship

Rocky Mountain Modern Language Association
Private
Los Angeles County, California
US $3,000
The RMMLA/Huntington Library Fellowship offers a $3,000 stipend for a one-month residency at the Huntington Library, renowned for its extensive collection in British and American history and literature. This fellowship is open to all RMMLA members, including graduate students and junior faculty. Selection criteria focus on the project's value, relevance to available materials, and the researcher's promise. This opportunity supports scholars in advancing their research in a prestigious environment.
Humanities & Social Science History Community Culture & Heritage +3 more

New Chaucer Society Early Career Fellowship

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens (The Huntington)
Private
Los Angeles County, California
US $3,500
The New Chaucer Society Early Career Fellowship, in collaboration with The Huntington Library, supports emerging scholars in medieval studies. This one-month fellowship, offering $3,500 plus travel expenses, encourages research on Chaucer's era within The Huntington's extensive collections. Open to early career scholars, the fellowship promotes the study of literature, manuscripts, and cultural contexts from Chaucer's time. Recipients must reside at The Huntington during their fellowship, fostering a vibrant academic environment.
History Writing & Literature

Joyce Tracy Fellowship

American Antiquarian Society
Private
Worcester County, Massachusetts
US $2,000 - US $4,000
The Joyce Tracy Fellowship, offered by the American Antiquarian Society, supports research on newspapers and magazines, providing a stipend of $2,000 per month for one to two months from June 1 to May 31. This fellowship encourages postdoctoral scholars and graduate students, particularly those in fields like history and literature, to utilize primary documentation in their projects. Preference is given to applicants who have not held long-term fellowships in the past three years.
Journalism Community Culture & Heritage Writing & Literature +1 more

Justin G. Schiller Fellowship

American Antiquarian Society
Private
Worcester County, Massachusetts
US $2,000 - US $4,000
The Justin G. Schiller Fellowship, offered by the American Antiquarian Society, supports research on American children's books published before 1876. This fellowship is open to postdoctoral scholars and graduate students from various academic fields, promoting a diverse range of inquiries into the production and historical context of these works. With a stipend of $2,000 per month, the fellowship term lasts one to two months, providing vital support for scholarly research.
Community Culture & Heritage Writing & Literature American History

Reese Fellowship

American Antiquarian Society
Private
Worcester County, Massachusetts
Unspecified amount
The Reese Fellowship, funded by the William Reese Company, supports research in American bibliography and the history of the book in America. The American Antiquarian Society encourages postdoctoral scholars and graduate students from various fields to apply. With a stipend of $2,200 per month for a term of one to two months, this fellowship prioritizes individuals who have not held long-term fellowships in the last three years, promoting a rich scholarly environment.
American History Community Culture & Heritage Writing & Literature

Barbara L. Packer Fellowship

American Antiquarian Society
Private
Worcester County, Massachusetts
US $2,200 - US $4,400
The Barbara L. Packer Fellowship, offered by the American Antiquarian Society, supports scholars conducting research on the Transcendentalists, particularly Ralph Waldo Emerson, Margaret Fuller, and Henry David Thoreau. Named in honor of Barbara L. Packer, the fellowship provides a stipend of $2,200 per month for one to two months of research from June 1 to May 31. Eligible candidates include Ph.D. candidates, pre-tenure faculty, and independent scholars with relevant projects.
Community Culture & Heritage Writing & Literature

Legacy Fellowship

American Antiquarian Society
Private
Worcester County, Massachusetts
US $2,000 - US $4,000
The Legacy Fellowship, offered by the American Antiquarian Society, supports scholarly research in American history and culture through 1900. Funded through contributions from former fellows, this fellowship provides a stipend of $2,000 per month for a term of one to two months. It is open to postdoctoral scholars and graduate students, prioritizing those who have not held long-term fellowships in the past three years. Applications are encouraged from various academic fields related to American studies.
Community Culture & Heritage Writing & Literature American Art +3 more

Jay and Deborah Last Fellowships

American Antiquarian Society
Private
Worcester County, Massachusetts
Up to US $2,200
The Jay and Deborah Last Fellowships, offered by the American Antiquarian Society, support research in American art and visual culture that utilizes graphic materials as primary sources. The fellowships provide a stipend of $2,200 per month for terms of one to two months, available from June 1 to May 31. Eligible applicants include postdoctoral scholars and graduate students from various academic fields, with preference given to those without recent long-term fellowships.
Community Culture & Heritage Writing & Literature American Art +1 more

Lapides Fellowship in Pre-1865 Juvenile Literature and Ephemera

American Antiquarian Society
Private
Worcester County, Massachusetts
US $2,000 - US $4,000
The Lapides Fellowship in Pre-1865 Juvenile Literature and Ephemera, offered by the American Antiquarian Society, supports research on American printed and manuscript materials aimed at children and youth up to 1865. This fellowship encourages projects that explore various aspects of juvenile literature and ephemera from the Puritan Era to the Civil War. The stipend of $2,000 per month is available for a term of one to two months, promoting scholarly inquiry in related fields.
Community Culture & Heritage American Art Writing & Literature +1 more

David Jaffee Fellowship in Visual and Material Culture

American Antiquarian Society
Private
Worcester County, Massachusetts
US $2,000 - US $4,000
The David Jaffee Fellowship in Visual and Material Culture, offered by the American Antiquarian Society, supports postdoctoral scholars and graduate students researching American history before 1900. Named after Professor David Jaffee, this fellowship encourages the use of visual and material culture in scholarship. The fellowship provides a stipend of $2,000 per month for a term of one to two months, emphasizing the importance of scholarly qualifications and project significance.
Community Culture & Heritage American Art American History +1 more

Stephen Botein Fellowships

American Antiquarian Society
Private
Worcester County, Massachusetts
US $2,200 - US $4,400
The Stephen Botein Fellowships, offered by the American Antiquarian Society, support research on the history of the book in American culture. With a monthly stipend of $2,200, these fellowships are available for one to two months from June to May. Eligible applicants include postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, and doctoral candidates from various academic fields. Preference is given to those without prior long-term fellowships, promoting a diverse scholarly community dedicated to exploring America's literary heritage.
Community Culture & Heritage Writing & Literature American History

American Historical Print Collectors Society Fellowship

American Antiquarian Society
Private
Worcester County, Massachusetts
US $2,000 - US $4,000
The American Historical Print Collectors Society Fellowship supports research on American prints from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Funded jointly by the American Historical Print Collectors Society and the American Antiquarian Society, this fellowship offers a stipend of $2,000 per month for one to two months of research. Eligible applicants include postdoctoral scholars and graduate students from various humanities fields. Preference is given to those who have not held long-term fellowships recently.
Music Community Culture & Heritage Writing & Literature +3 more

Alstott Morgan Fellowship

American Antiquarian Society
Private
Worcester County, Massachusetts
US $2,200 - US $4,400
The Alstott Morgan Fellowship, offered by the American Antiquarian Society, supports research on 19th-century American education. It provides a stipend of $2,200 per month for a term of one to two months, available from June 1 to May 31. Eligible candidates include postdoctoral scholars and graduate students engaged in scholarly research across various fields related to American history and culture up to 1900. Preference is given to those without long-term fellowships in the preceding three years.
Music Community Culture & Heritage Writing & Literature +3 more

AAS-American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies Fellowships

American Antiquarian Society
Private
Worcester County, Massachusetts
Unspecified amount
The AAS-American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies Fellowships support research projects on the American eighteenth century. Funded by the American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies and the American Antiquarian Society, these fellowships offer a stipend of $2,200 per month for one to two months of research between June 1 and May 31. Eligibility includes postdoctoral scholars and foreign nationals residing in the U.S. for three years prior to application.
Music Writing & Literature Political Science +3 more

Brown Family Collection Fellowship

American Antiquarian Society
Private
Worcester County, Massachusetts
US $2,200 - US $4,400
The Brown Family Collection Fellowship, offered by the American Antiquarian Society, supports graduate and postdoctoral researchers for projects utilizing the Brown Family Collections and related materials. With a stipend of $2,200 per month, the fellowship is available for one to two months between June 1 and May 31. Preference is given to individuals who have not held long-term fellowships recently, and scholars of Black and Indigenous descent are encouraged to apply.
Music Writing & Literature Political Science +4 more

Kate B. and Hall J. Peterson Fellowships

American Antiquarian Society
Private
Worcester County, Massachusetts
US $2,000 - US $4,000
The Kate B. and Hall J. Peterson Fellowships, offered by the American Antiquarian Society, support scholarly research in any field related to American history and culture up to 1876. Each fellowship provides a stipend of $2,000 per month for a term of one to two months between June 1 and May 31. Preference is given to applicants who haven’t received long-term fellowships in the past three years, and eligibility extends to postdoctoral scholars and graduate students.
Music Community Culture & Heritage Writing & Literature +3 more

Hench Post-Dissertation Fellowship

American Antiquarian Society
Private
Worcester County, Massachusetts
Up to US $44,000
The Hench Post-Dissertation Fellowship, offered by the American Antiquarian Society, provides a unique opportunity for scholars to refine their dissertations for publication. This prestigious fellowship includes a $40,000 stipend and up to $4,000 for health insurance. Applicants must be within three years of earning their doctorate and focus on topics relevant to American history and culture through 1900. The program fosters collaboration and feedback from leading scholars, enhancing the academic community in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Music Community Culture & Heritage Writing & Literature +3 more

ALSCW Dissertation Fellowship

Association of Literary Scholars, Critics, and Writers Inc
Private
West Virginia
Unspecified amount
The ALSCW Dissertation Fellowship supports scholars whose doctoral dissertations focus on literary history and aesthetics. It offers a three-week residency in a fully equipped cabin in West Virginia, providing an ideal environment for writing and research. The fellowship encourages applicants to submit their cover letters, CVs, dissertation chapters, and letters of recommendation. Preference is given to candidates with advanced-stage dissertations, fostering a community that values diverse literary perspectives.
Writing & Literature

Leon Levy Center for Biography: Sloan Fellowship

The Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY)
State/Local Government
New York County, New York
US $72,000
The Leon Levy Center for Biography offers the Sloan Fellowship, which supports the writing of biographies about figures from science or technology. Established in 2007, the Center fosters excellence in biography through events, lectures, and funding for outstanding research. The fellowship provides a stipend of $72,000, access to research facilities, and opportunities for mentorship. Writers of all nationalities, including first-time biographers, are encouraged to apply, although memoirs and fictional works are not eligible.
Writing & Literature

Leon Levy Center for Biography Fellowship

The Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY)
State/Local Government
New York County, New York
US $72,000
The Leon Levy Center for Biography Fellowship, established in 2007, supports writers from all backgrounds in crafting biographies. It offers four resident fellowships and a Sloan fellowship for biographies in science, with a stipend of $72,000. Fellows gain writing space at CUNY Graduate Center, access to research facilities, and opportunities to engage in seminars and public events. This fellowship encourages both emerging and established writers to contribute to the vibrant biography community.
Writing & Literature

Arts Fund Grants

American Australian Association
Private
Australia, United States
US $5,000
The Arts Fund Grants provide vital support for emerging artists from Australia and the USA, facilitating their artistic development through grants of up to $5,000. This funding can be used for travel, living expenses, tuition, and other related costs. Eligible applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of either country and have a formal offer from an accredited institution. The program emphasizes merit-based opportunities across various artistic fields, fostering international collaboration and cultural exchange.
Music Writing & Literature Theater +8 more

Indigenous Scholarships: Arts Fund (AUS to USA and USA to AUS)

American Australian Association
Private
Australia, United States
US $10,000
The Indigenous Scholarships: Arts Fund facilitates artistic development for Aboriginal Australian, Torres Strait Islander, Native American, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian artists. Offering up to $5,000, it supports projects in each other's countries, with applications due in March and September. Since 2002, over $1 million has been awarded to more than 500 artists, fostering cultural exchange and growth in the arts between Australia and the USA.
Writing & Literature Performing Arts Media Arts +5 more

AICEF: Cultural Grant

American-Indonesian Cultural & Educational Foundation
Private
United States
US $1,000 - US $5,000
The AICEF Cultural Grant aims to enhance cultural ties between the United States and Indonesia by funding projects in the performing, visual, and literary arts. With grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, the foundation seeks to support distinguished individuals and groups whose work is accessible to the public and fosters goodwill between the two nations. This initiative not only promotes artistic excellence but also bridges cultural exchanges for a diverse audience.
Writing & Literature Performing Arts Visual Arts +1 more

The Herzog August Bibliothek Wolfenbüttel Joint Fellowship: Long Term

The Newberry Library
Association/Society
Germany
Up to €4,250
The Herzog August Bibliothek Wolfenbüttel Joint Fellowship offers scholars the opportunity to conduct long-term research at the Newberry Library and the Herzog August Bibliothek in Germany. This fellowship, which provides an additional month of support, is open to scholars with a PhD or equivalent terminal degree. It fosters innovative research and collaboration, allowing recipients to explore extensive collections while enjoying a stipend of 1,800 Euro/month and travel reimbursement.
Humanities & Social Science Community Culture & Heritage Writing & Literature +4 more

Grants for Creative Writing Highlights

Grants for creative writing fund programs and projects that support writers, workshops, and literary initiatives. The following grants help nonprofits promote storytelling, foster creativity, and expand access to the arts.


Search Instrumentl's Creative Writing Grants Database


Explore 93 funding opportunities for creative writing, with $2.6M available. Instrumentl supports writers and nonprofits with advanced grant discovery, deadline tracking tools, and key insights to enrich literary arts and storytelling programs.

Grant Insights : Grants for Creative Writing

Grant Availability

How common are grants in this category?

Uncommon — grants in this category are less prevalent than in others.

93 Grants for Creative Writing grants for nonprofits in the United States, from private foundations to corporations seeking to fund grants for nonprofits.

18 Grants for Creative Writing over $25K in average grant size

9 Grants for Creative Writing over $50K in average grant size

25 Grants for Creative Writing supporting general operating expenses

77 Grants for Creative Writing supporting programs / projects

600+ Grants on Instrumentl focused on Food Access & Hunger

1,000+ Grants on Instrumentl focused on Workforce Preparation & Job Readiness

Grant Deadline Distribution

Over the past year, when are grant deadlines typically due for grants for Creative Writing?

Most grants are due in the third quarter.

Q1
23.9%
Q2
23.7%
Q3
28.3%
Q4
24.0%

Typical Funding Amounts

What's the typical grant amount funded for Grants for Creative Writing?

Grants are most commonly $9,500.

$250 $250 Min.
$9,500 $9.5 K Median
$35,556 $35.6 K Average
$950,000 $950 K Max.

Frequently asked questions

Nonprofits that support writing, literacy, or storytelling initiatives may qualify for these grants. Eligible organizations typically include literary nonprofits, universities, and arts programs.

Grants for creative writing typically have the highest concentration of deadlines in Q3, with 28.3% of grant deadlines falling in this period. If you're planning to apply, consider prioritizing your applications around this time to maximize opportunities. Conversely, the least active period for grants in this category is Q2.

Grants for creative writing support emerging writers, diverse voices, and educational writing programs. Funders provide these grants to foster creative expression and ensure that writers—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds—have the necessary resources to share their stories.

Funding for creating writing grants varies widely, with award amounts ranging from a minimum of $250 to a maximum of $950,000. Based on Instrumentl’s data, the median grant amount for this category is $9,500, while the average grant awarded is $35,556. Understanding these funding trends can help nonprofits set realistic expectations when applying.

Government organizations at the federal, state, and local levels often provide funding for creative writing grants. Prominent funders include arts organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Massachusetts Cultural Council, along with various state-specific organizations.

Additionally, many private foundations, such as the Elsie H. Wilcox Foundation and the FDC Foundation, also offer support for creative writing initiatives.

To improve grant success for creative writing, here are some things you can do to stand out:

  • Align with funder priorities – Tailor proposals to align with the funder’s mission and key focus areas.
  • Use measurable outcomes – Provide data-driven results to demonstrate past impact and expected future success.
  • Build strategic partnerships – Collaborate with healthcare providers, government agencies, and community organizations to strengthen applications.
  • Develop a compelling narrative – Use real stories and case studies to highlight the significance of the program.

For additional guidance, explore our step-by-step guide to crafting compelling grant proposals.

Instrumentl assists creative writing organizations in streamlining the grant application process by identifying relevant funders. Just provide Instrumentl with a bit of information about your organization and funding requirements, and you will receive a list of suitable grants within seconds. Discover how Lutheran Braille Workers increased their grant submissions by 150%.

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Local Grants by City

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