A 2016 Guide to Writing Grants in the UK and Ireland
By Jantien Abma • • 4 min read
We know that to sustain a writing career, authors need all the help they can get. Whether it’s brushing up on your skills using the help of seasoned authors, or simply needing to buy some time to write without worrying about your day job, we know a little financial help can go a long way.
There are many resources online for writers and several helpful lists of grants and funding schemes. Available funding does change, however, so many of these lists become outdated quickly. We’ve done some research to come up with some of the best currently available ways to give your writing a boost. These initiatives range from one-off small cash prizes to residencies and ongoing funding for worthwhile literary projects. They are based in several locations throughout the British Isles, although this doesn’t necessarily mean one needs to live in that area to apply. Take a look at the map below to discover opportunities in your area and beyond. Keep yourself writing and get the support you deserve! #amwriting
Arkbound Creative Writing Competition
Bristol
Award: £100 and publication in Boundless magazine.
Apply if you have a short story or article to submit, and live anywhere.
Deadline: 5 September, 2016
Aesthetica Creative Writing Award
York
Award: £500, publication in Aesthetica, books and a subscription to Granta.
Apply if you have either poetry or fiction to submit. You can live anywhere.
Deadline: 31 August, 2016
Cardiff
Award: £1000 to £7,500, depending.
Apply if you are planning for or currently working on a literary project, and live in Wales.
Open Project Funding (Creative Scotland)
Edinburgh
Award: £1000 to £100,000, depending.
Apply if you have strong case for your writing project and its ability to enrich Scotland’s cultural scene, and you live in Scotland.
New Writers Award (Scottish Book Trust)
Edinburgh
Award: £2,000 and a week-long retreat at Cove Park.
Apply if you are not traditionally published, over the age of 18 and live and work in Scotland.
Deadline: July 2017
Next Chapter Award (Scottish Book Trust)
Edinburgh
Award: £2,000 and two weeks at Cove Park
Apply if you are over forty, not traditionally published and live and work in Scotland.
Deadline: 28 September, 2016
Saltire Bursary (Scottish Book Trust)
Edinburgh
Award: £2,000 and manuscript appraisal
Apply if you are not traditionally published, over the age of 18, live and work in Scotland and belong to an ethnic minority.
Deadline: 14 September 2016.
Edinburgh
Award: No monetary endowment or travel expenses but full board along with four other writers at the castle.
Apply if you are a creative published writer of any kind, anywhere in the world.
Deadline: End of June for following year.
David T. Wong Fellowship (UEA)
East Anglia
Award: £25,000 and a year of living at the University of East Anglia.
Apply if you are a writer of promise proposing to write a work of fiction on some aspect of life in the Far East.
Deadline: 31 October, 2016
Dublin
Award: Depends on application.
Apply if you are an Irish resident and have a literary project that will benefit the arts in Ireland.
Publications/Title by Title scheme (ACI)
Dublin
Award: Maximum £50,000
Apply if you need funding to assist in the production, promotion and dissemination of a high quality literary title.
Deadline: 6 October, 2016
Support for the Individual Artist (Arts Council Northern Ireland)
Belfast
Award: Depends on application
Apply if you have been making a contribution to the artistic activities of Northern Ireland for a minimum period of one year within the last five years. This activity must not be the concern of your employer.
Deadline: Ongoing
Northern Writers Awards (New Writing North)
Newcastle Upon Tyne
Award: £40,000 in cash prizes and mentoring spread across several prizes.
Apply if you have a current work in progress that is not part of a publishing deal and are a permanent resident of Northern England.
Deadline: February 2017
Betty Trask Prize and Awards (RSA)
London
Award: £5,000 to £10,000
Apply if you have written your first novel, unpublished or published, and are under 35.
Deadline: 30 November, 2016
Somerset Maugham Trust Fund (RSA)
London
Award: Depends on application
Apply if you need funding for travel related to a published work of fiction, non-fiction or poetry, are British and under 35.
Deadline: 30 November, 2016
The Tom-Gallon Trust Award (RSA)
London
Award: £1,000
Apply if you have serious writing ambitions and have had at least one short story accepted for publication.
Deadline: 31 October, 2016
London
Award: £4,000
Apply if you are over forty, and have a novel, published or unpublished.
Deadline: 31 October, 2016.
The Sunday Times EFG Short Story Award
London
Award: £30,000 and £1,000
Apply if you have a short story and are a published writer, living anywhere.
The Sunday Times/Peters Fraser & Dunlop Young Writer of the Year Award
London
Award: £5,000 and £500
Apply if you have a published or self-published full-length work of fiction, non-fiction or poetry and you are from the UK or Ireland aged 18-35.
Retreat stays with little to no monetary endowment or grants against course fees
Various locations in the UK.
Award: Up to £400 towards your Arvon course
Apply if you are in possession of documentary evidence to illustrate your low income.
Inverness
Award: Accommodation at Moniack Mhor Creative writing Retreat, £300 a week
Apply if you are an established writer or poet.
Other opportunities for writers:
London
Curtis Brown Agency’s Twitter pitch party, held on the fourth Friday of every month. Pitch your book in 140 characters or less. If a Curtis Brown agent favourites your tweet, you can submit a full proposal directly to that agent.
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