Funding and Grants for Writers
A practical starting point for poets and writers seeking support in the UK and Ireland. Funding schemes change regularly, so always check the funder's current eligibility rules and deadlines before applying.
Creative practice and project funding
Arts Council England – Developing Your Creative Practice
England · individual creative development
Funding for individual cultural and creative practitioners, including writers, to take a significant step in developing their practice. Check current rounds, guidance and eligibility on the Arts Council website.
Arts Council England – National Lottery Project Grants
England · arts projects
Supports arts, museums and libraries projects that engage people in England. Writers and literature organisations may be eligible where a proposal meets the programme criteria.
Creative Scotland
Scotland · creative funding
Current funding opportunities for artists, creative practitioners and organisations in Scotland. Consult the live funding pages for open routes and deadlines.
Arts Council of Wales
Wales · arts funding
Funding programmes for artists and arts activity in Wales. Literature Wales also offers writer development, bursaries and opportunities.
Arts Council of Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland · individual and organisational funding
Publishes current funding programmes for artists and arts organisations, including schemes relevant to literature practitioners.
The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon
Republic of Ireland · arts funding
National funding opportunities for artists and arts organisations in Ireland, including literature.
Grants specifically useful to writers
Society of Authors Authors' Foundation
Work in progress
Grants for eligible professionally published writers working on a new project. Poetry is included. Applications are currently accepted on a rolling basis; check the detailed publication criteria before applying.
Society of Authors Grants
Several specialist funds
The Society of Authors administers work-in-progress, hardship and access funds, including the Authors' Foundation, K Blundell Trust and Authors' Contingency Fund.
Arvon Grants
Help with course fees
Financial support for eligible UK-resident writers who could not otherwise afford selected Arvon residential or online courses. Funds and application windows are limited, so check current availability.
Literature Wales
Wales · writer development
Supports writers through programmes including courses, bursaries, mentoring, training, awards and opportunities. Current schemes vary through the year.
New Writing North
North of England · development and awards
Runs writer development programmes and major opportunities including the Northern Writers' Awards, alongside projects supporting writers and readers across the North.
Financial support and hardship funds
Royal Literary Fund
Professional writers in financial difficulty
The RLF provides means-tested hardship support to eligible professional writers in the UK and Ireland. Its grants are for financial need rather than funding a work in progress or publication costs.
Authors' Contingency Fund
Professional authors facing hardship
Confidential grants for eligible professional authors facing financial difficulty or unexpected costs. Membership of the Society of Authors is not required.