Finding Writing Fellowships and Grants Online
How to Search for Writing Grants on the Internet
These days, finding writing grants and other funds for freelance writers is both easier and more difficult thanks to the Internet. By entering a few keywords into a search engine, anyone can find lists of college grants, national grants, and other cash grants for everything from writing books to producing a movie.
But while writers should research any funding opportunity that looks promising, sifting through hundreds of grants online can be frustrating, especially if the grants have nothing to do with the writer’s project. Aside from that, some grants are not as reputable as others – and may be outright scams.
To search for grants more efficiently and avoid being scammed, follow the tips below.
Finding Grants Online
While it’s tempting to just type “grants from the government” into the search bar and hope for the best, this strategy will only produce millions of hits, most unrelated to the writer’s needs.
Instead, writers should start by asking themselves about the expenses their grant must pay for and the project they are working on. Are they looking for a book grant to help pay bills while they finish a children’s book? A travel grant to pay for expenses at a writing seminar? A scholarship to get a journalism degree?
Once writers can articulate their needs, they can type more specific search queries and find better prospects. “Grants for writing children’s books,” for example, produces fewer and more specific hits than “grants for writing.” Writers can also limit their searches by typing in their country, state, and/or city (i.e. “grants for writers Canada”).
Writers should also further focus their searches by using online databases that list grant resources for writers. The Foundation Center, for instance, is a national nonprofit service organization that connects nonprofits and grantmakers – and offers a list of print and electronic grant resources for writers on its website.
Other useful websites include:
Grants for women writers, including theatre, film/video, and literary project funding, are listed here.
PEN American Center – PEN Literary Awards
International PEN is a literary and human rights organization. The PEN American website lets writers sort through lists of literary awards, fellowships, and grants. Most are open to U.S. and Canadian writers.
Writing Grants/Michigan State University Libraries
This database lists funding resources for poets, authors, and journalists, as well as scholarships and grants for junior high and high school students.
Canada Council for the Arts – Writing and Publishing Discipline
This website lists Canadian grants for Canadian writers, including creative writing, oral storytelling, and travel grants.
Remember: some websites list loan programs which are not grants. Grants (and awards like scholarships and fellowships) do not require recipients to pay back the money awarded. Loans do require recipients to pay back the money offered.
Researching Grants
Once writers find grants that fit their needs, they should research each grant to make sure they’re eligible to apply for the grants and what obligations the grant requires of them.
Does the writer have two published children or YA novels that have been received well by literary critics? He or she should if applying for the Phillis Naylor Working Writer Fellowship, which also requires writers to be nominated by an editor or fellow writer.
Is the writer willing (and able) to teach a class? He or she should if applying for the University of Louisville’s Axton Fellowship, which requires winners (who must also have an MFA or PhD in creative writing) to teach a course each semester, conduct a two-day literary seminar, and give a reading in the Axton reading series.
Be sure to read all the fine print. Some grants may require a personal biography, resume, or curriculum vitae. Others may require an extensive project proposal or published book.
Avoiding Scams
It’s a sad fact, but some grants are scams. Always remember:
Grants are never awarded without completing an application that usually goes through a lengthy application process – so beware of people awarding grants that were never applied for, or applied for two days ago.
The government does not track people down to award government grants. Do not accept such offers, especially if asked for a “processing fee.”
Beware of services that charge a fee for giving information on government grants – especially if they ask for personal information like addresses, bank account balances, or social security numbers. Grants.gov can give information on government grants for free.
Be wary of application and processing fees in general. While some legitimate grants may ask for a fee, it’s best to research a grant before parting with any money.
Find more tips for being taken by fraudulent grant companies at How to Avoid a Grant Scam.
Finding Grants Online
|
What do you think about this article?
More in Writing & Publishing
Latest Articles