Grants for Authors: A List of Funding Options for Writers

Let’s face it, writing takes time, focus, and often some financial support. That’s where grants come in. If you’re an author looking for help to finish a novel, develop a nonfiction project, or simply buy yourself time to write, there are grants out there made just for that. In this guide, we’ve pulled together a list of grants for authors that offer real support with no strings attached. Whether you’re just starting out or have a few books under your belt, there’s likely something here for you.

1. Whiting Foundation

The Whiting Foundation offers substantial support to writers engaged in nonfiction work that requires significant time, research, and thoughtful composition. Their Creative Nonfiction Grant is structured specifically for those in the middle of a book-length project that explores real-world topics through a mix of deep reporting, investigation, and literary storytelling. These grants are not awarded for finished manuscripts but instead provide financial breathing room for writers to continue shaping their work before publication.

Since its inception, the Whiting Creative Nonfiction Grant has funded a wide range of projects covering historical analysis, cultural studies, personal memoir, and political commentary. Many recipients are already working with publishers, and the grant enables them to deepen their research and strengthen the narrative quality of their books. The foundation supports projects that demonstrate intellectual rigor and creative ambition, without imposing restrictions on genre or tone.

Key Highlights:

• Grant amount: $40,000 for book-length works in progress

• Supports nonfiction writers at any career stage

• Focuses on projects that combine research with strong narrative craft

• Recipients retain full editorial freedom over their work

• Open to writers under contract with U.S. publishers

Contact and Social Media Information:

• Website: www.whiting.org

• Email: info@whiting.org

• Address: Whiting Foundation, 291 Broadway, Suite 1901, New York, NY 10007

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhitingFdn

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/whitingfoundation

• Twitter/X: x.com/WhitingFdn

2. The Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant

The Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant offers financial support to writers producing work focused on contemporary visual art. The grant is open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and those holding O-1 visas. It funds projects in three main categories: articles, books, and short-form writing. The goal is to back both emerging and established writers whose work can range from popular criticism to in-depth scholarly research. The grant recognizes the role of criticism in cultural conversation and helps sustain writing that might otherwise lack institutional support.

In addition to the core program, they have introduced a Translation Grant to support the translation of books about contemporary visual art into English. This newer track allows for expanded access to global art discourse and encourages critical engagement across linguistic boundaries. Each year, selected grantees are chosen through an application and review process based on clarity of vision, relevance, and writing quality.

Key Highlights:

• Awards range from $15,000 to $50,000

• Supports books, articles, and short-form pieces on contemporary visual art

• Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and O-1 visa holders

• Includes a separate Translation Grant for book-length projects

• Encourages experimental and interdisciplinary writing styles

Contact and Social Media Information:

• Website: www.artswriters.org

• Email: questions@artswriters.org

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/artswriters

• Twitter/X: x.com/artswriters

3. The Awesome Foundation

The Awesome Foundation is a global network of independent chapters that provide micro-grants to support creative, community-based, and experimental projects. Each chapter operates autonomously and distributes $1,000 grants with no strings attached. The foundation’s goal is to support ideas that people find exciting, unique, or impactful in their communities. Because there’s no rigid definition of what qualifies as "awesome," projects across all disciplines—arts, science, education, social justice, and beyond—are eligible for consideration.

Grants are typically awarded monthly, and recipients are selected by a panel of local trustees. Funding comes directly from those trustees rather than large institutions, keeping the process flexible and community-driven. There's no requirement for follow-up reports or deliverables, which gives grant recipients full freedom to bring their ideas to life however they see fit. Applications are submitted to local chapters, each of which sets its own priorities and timeline.

Key Highlights:

• $1,000 micro-grants awarded with no strings attached

• Open to individuals and groups with creative or community-driven ideas

• Applications are reviewed by local chapters worldwide

• No reporting or formal project completion requirements

• Welcomes experimental, surprising, or unconventional concepts

Contact and Social Media Information:

• Website: www.awesomefoundation.org

• Email: contact@awesomefoundation.org

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/awesomefoundation

• Twitter/X: x.com/awesomefound

4. Speculative Literature Foundation

The Speculative Literature Foundation’s Working Class Writers Grant is awarded annually to writers of speculative fiction who come from working-class, blue-collar, or financially disadvantaged backgrounds. This grant was created to address the systemic financial barriers that often prevent writers from entering or advancing in the world of speculative literature. By supporting writers who have historically been underrepresented in the genre, the foundation aims to broaden the scope of voices and stories found in speculative fiction.

Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter explaining their financial background and writing goals, along with a sample of their work. Submissions can include science fiction, fantasy, horror, and other speculative forms. The grant is open internationally and does not require prior publication. The award offers both financial support and recognition, giving recipients the chance to focus more fully on their creative work and gain visibility in the literary community.

Key Highlights:

• $1,000 annual grant

• Open to international speculative fiction writers

• Targets working-class, blue-collar, or financially disadvantaged applicants

• No publication history required to apply

• Submission window runs from September 1 to September 30 each year

Contact and Social Media Information:

• Website: writersvictoria.org.au

• Phone: (03) 9917 5684

• Email: info@writersvictoria.org.au

• Address: Level 3, The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/writers-victoria

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/WritersVictoria

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/writersvictoria

• Twitter/X: x.com/Writers_Vic

5. Saratoga Arts

Saratoga Arts offers funding to support individual artists in New York’s Fulton, Montgomery, and Saratoga Counties through its Individual Artist Grants. These grants are part of a broader regranting initiative made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts. The program is designed to support the creative development of artists working independently or leading collaborative projects. Funding may be used for a variety of purposes, from developing new work to expanding community engagement through public presentations.

Each project must be publicly accessible, though the community doesn't need to take part in the actual creation process. The goal is to strengthen ties between artists and their local audiences while encouraging artistic growth. Applications are reviewed by a panel of local creatives and community members. Artists can apply for up to $3,000 in funding, and submissions are accepted annually each fall for projects occurring the following year.

Key Highlights:

• Grants available in amounts of $1,000, $2,000, or $3,000

• Open to artists in Fulton, Montgomery, and Saratoga Counties, NY

• Projects must include a public presentation

• Supports both solo artists and collaborative work

• Applications open each fall for the following calendar year

Contact and Social Media Information:

• Website: www.saratoga-arts.org

• Phone: 518.584.4132

• Address: Saratoga Arts, 320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/saratogaarts

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/saratogaarts

6. Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)

The Independently Published Pre-publication Grant offered by SCBWI is designed to support authors who are self-publishing children's books. The grant provides $2,500 to help offset a range of publishing-related costs. Eligible expenses include hiring editors, illustrators, and designers, as well as paying for website development, marketing materials like book trailers, printing, shipping, and publishing software. The grant aims to support creators working outside the traditional publishing route, giving them financial backing to produce a professional-quality book.

Applicants must be current SCBWI members at both the time of submission and when the award is announced. Submissions are accepted during a designated window in November and require a short business plan, a synopsis of the book, and a publication timeline. The grant is awarded based on the clarity of the business plan and the overall quality of the proposed project. While the award is specific in its purpose, it gives authors creative control over their self-publishing process.

Key Highlights:

• $2,500 grant to support self-publishing costs

• Open exclusively to SCBWI members

• Funds can cover editing, illustration, design, and production expenses

• Requires a short synopsis, bio, and business plan

• Submission period is open from November 1 to November 30 each year

Contact and Social Media Information:

• Website: www.scbwi.org

• Phone: (256) 634-6982

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/society-of-children's-book-writers-and-illustrators

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/SCBWI

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/scbwi

7. PEN America

The PEN/Bare Life Review Grants support immigrant and refugee writers working on literary projects that are still in progress. With a focus on fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry, these grants recognize the cultural and emotional significance of literature that explores themes of displacement, identity, and survival. The program was created to offer direct support to authors whose voices are often excluded from mainstream literary channels, particularly those with refugee or asylum status or who are foreign-born and currently living in the U.S.

Each year, two writers receive $5,000 to help them complete a manuscript that has not yet been published. Eligible applicants must submit a detailed proposal, sample pages, and a project timeline. The selection process centers on the originality and urgency of the writer’s work, as well as its literary quality and relevance. The grant also values the role of language in cultural continuity and makes room for translated works, though the final manuscript must be available in English.

Key Highlights:

• Two annual grants of $5,000 each

• Open to foreign-born writers in the U.S. and refugee/asylum seekers abroad

• Supports fiction, nonfiction, and poetry in progress

• Projects must be unpublished and not scheduled for release before April 2026

• Translated works are eligible if submitted in English

Contact and Social Media Information:

• Website: pen.org

• LinkedIn: www. linkedin.com/company/penamerica

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/penamerica

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/penamerica

• Twitter/X: x.com/penamerica

8. Arvon Foundation

The Arvon Foundation offers Low Income Grants to writers in the UK who need financial support to attend a residential or online writing course. These grants are open to anyone who can demonstrate financial need, regardless of writing experience, and may cover up to the full cost of a course. Applicants must first book a place in a course to hold their spot, though no payment is required unless the grant awarded is partial. Grants are only available for tutored courses, not for untutored retreats, masterclasses, or single-day workshops.

Each grant application is evaluated quarterly, and funds are limited, with priority given to those who would otherwise be unable to participate. The foundation encourages applications from D/deaf and disabled writers, taking into account any additional support or living costs when reviewing requests. Applicants who have received a grant in the last five years are not eligible, as the foundation aims to spread access among a wider range of individuals seeking creative development.

Key Highlights:

• Grants can cover up to the full cost of a residential or online course

• Open to UK residents demonstrating financial need

• Only available for tutored courses, not masterclasses or retreats

• Assessed quarterly with limited funding per round

• Inclusive of additional accessibility-related costs for eligible writers

Contact and Social Media Information:

• Website: www.arvon.org

• Phone: 287 9329 41

• Address: Lumb Bank, Heptonstall, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX7 6DF

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArvonFoundation

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/arvon__

• Twitter/X: x.com/arvonfoundation

9. Barbara Deming Memorial Fund (Money for Women)

The Barbara Deming Memorial Fund, also known as Money for Women, is a longstanding feminist granting organization that has supported creative women since 1985. Founded by writer and social justice activist Barbara Deming, the fund provides financial assistance specifically to feminist writers and visual artists who identify as women, including cisgender, transgender, and nonbinary individuals. The organization emphasizes encouragement and monetary support for those whose work advances feminist ideals and social justice.

Operating through a volunteer Board of Directors and a panel of judges, the fund awards grants to projects that challenge conventions and foster critical cultural dialogue. Money for Women is recognized for its commitment to risk-taking and inclusivity, maintaining its focus on feminist values across decades despite shifts in the broader funding landscape.

Key Highlights:

• Grants exclusively for feminist writers and visual artists identifying as women or nonbinary

• Established in 1975, one of the oldest feminist grant organizations in North America

• Supports projects promoting feminist and social justice themes

• Administered by volunteers and judged by panels with expertise in feminist art and literature

• Known for risk-taking and supporting underrepresented voices

Contact and Social Media Information:

• Website: www.demingfund.org

• Email: deming.fund@gmail.com

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/Deming1975

10. Society of Authors – Authors’ Foundation Grants

The Society of Authors offers grants through the Authors’ Foundation to support writers working on projects for commercial UK or Irish publishers. These grants provide financial assistance for research, travel, and other essential expenses related to completing a book. Eligible applicants include authors and translators who have either been commissioned for a new work or have previously published at least one book commercially, and who have a strong likelihood of future publication in the UK or Ireland.

The grants are intended for works in progress and are awarded on a rolling basis throughout the year. Funding typically ranges between £2,000 and £3,500. The program supports a wide range of literary genres including fiction, poetry, and non-fiction, as well as scripts professionally performed on stage, screen, or radio. The foundation helps authors dedicate time and resources to finishing their manuscripts without financial distractions.

Key Highlights:

• Grants range from £2,000 to £3,500 for work in progress

• Open to writers and translators with commercial UK or Irish publishing contracts

• Supports research, travel, and other costs directly related to writing

• Includes fiction, poetry, non-fiction, and professionally performed scripts

• Applications accepted year-round with no fixed deadlines

Contact and Social Media Information:

• Website: societyofauthors.org

• Phone: 020 3880 2230

• Email: info@societyofauthors.org

• Address: The Society of Authors, 24 Bedford Row, London, WC1R 4EH

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheSocietyofAuthors

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesocietyofauthors

• Twitter/X: x.com/soc_of_authors

Enhance Your Writing Focus with Freewrite Devices

After learning about various grants that can support writers financially, it’s also important to consider tools that help you make the most of your writing time. That’s whereFreewrite devices come in, designed to create a distraction-free environment, they help writers stay focused and productive by removing the usual digital interruptions.

We built Freewrite to give writers a seamless and immersive writing experience. With no internet or apps to pull your attention away, just a satisfying mechanical keyboard and a clear E Ink or LCD screen, these devices encourage deep creative flow. Whether you’re working on a novel, an article, or poetry, Freewrite helps you write more, faster, and more consistently.

Alpha Raven Black With Backlight

TheAlpha Raven Black With Backlight is a sleek, ultra-portable drafting device designed to keep writers focused and productive wherever they are. We built it with a warm backlight that lets you write comfortably in any lighting, day or night. The keyboard features quiet, low-profile keys that reduce finger fatigue and help maintain smooth typing flow. Alpha saves your writing continuously, storing up to a million words and syncing automatically to the cloud when Wi-Fi is available. Plus, it supports dozens of languages and keyboard layouts, making it a versatile tool for writers worldwide.

Why Choose Alpha Raven Black With Backlight

• Ultra-portable design, weighing less than 2 pounds for easy travel

• Warm backlight with adjustable brightness for all lighting conditions

• Continuous saving with automatic cloud syncing and offline USB transfer

• Comfortable, quiet Kailh Choc V2 mechanical keyboard for long typing sessions

• Supports over 30 languages and 60 keyboard layouts for global users

Wordrunner Keyboard

TheWordrunner Keyboard is a premium mechanical keyboard designed specifically for writers who want to stay in the zone. It features a built-in 8-digit Wordometer that physically tracks your word count in real time, providing motivation to keep going. The keyboard also includes a timer to help manage writing sprints and maintain focus. Made from solid die-cast aluminum, Wordrunner offers a durable, satisfying typing experience with high-quality tactile switches. It connects wirelessly via Bluetooth or wired through USB-C and can switch between multiple devices seamlessly.

Why Choose Wordrunner Keyboard

• Mechanical keyboard with tactile switches rated for 80 million presses

• Real-time Wordometer to track word count and keep momentum

• Built-in timer for customizable writing sprints and focus sessions

• Durable die-cast aluminum body that stays stable on your desk

• Connects wirelessly (Bluetooth) or wired (USB-C) to multiple devices

Hemingwrite Signature Edition

TheHemingwrite Signature Edition pays tribute to Ernest Hemingway with a raw aluminum chassis and hand-polished finish, making each device unique. This special edition includes Hemingway’s authentic signature laser-engraved on the device, pairing classic style with modern distraction-free writing technology. The Hemingwrite features a tiered mechanical keyboard and an E Ink frontlight screen that lets you write comfortably for hours. Designed to encourage simple, direct writing, it’s a perfect tool for writers who want to focus deeply on their craft without digital distractions.

Why Choose Hemingwrite Signature Edition

• Officially licensed by the Ernest Hemingway estate with signature

• Unique hand-polished aluminum chassis that develops a personalized patina

• Comfortable tiered mechanical keyboard and E Ink frontlit display

• Long-lasting battery designed for uninterrupted writing sessions

• Supports dozens of languages and alternative keyboard layouts

Final Thoughts

Securing grants can be a vital step for writers seeking financial support to focus on their craft and bring their projects to life. Whether you are just starting out or an established author, there are numerous funding opportunities tailored to different needs: from emergency assistance and research support to dedicated tools that help maintain focus while writing. Exploring these grants not only provides resources but also connects writers to communities that value and nurture literary creativity. By taking advantage of these options, authors can gain the space and freedom to write their best work without compromise.