At the heart of the literary arts are organizations devoted to the power, beauty, and enjoyment of words and all those who use language in creative ways. Presses and journals, book festivals, literary centers, writers’ residencies and workshops, literary presenters and podcasters, service organizations, and the many other organizations that make up the complex literary arts ecosystem at the local, state, regional, and national levels all work to ensure our continued engagement with contemporary literature that reflects our nation’s rich diversity of voices. Their efforts, combined with those of non-arts partners, allow the literary arts to play a vital role in fostering the health of our nation, connecting us with our past and with each other, and nurturing a more empathetic future.

The NEA aims to strengthen the literary arts ecosystem through its support of literary arts organizations, and encourages people of all ages to write and engage with literary content in meaningful ways; helps writers at all stages of their careers create, publish, and connect directly with readers; helps readers in communities across the country have access to a wide spectrum of perspectives; and fosters collaborations with non-arts fields and systems—from mass transit and healthcare to environmental science and veterans’ affairs—and in a variety of venues, such as prisons, parks, senior centers, schools, and libraries. We welcome projects that seek to reach tribal, rural, urban, and suburban communities of all sizes across the country, and those that advance or sustain the creative work or careers of people with disabilities.

Applicants may request cost share/matching grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000.

This grant opportunity is intended for organizations, not individuals. Each year, the NEA offers a separate fellowships program to published creative writers and translators of prose and poetry.

For information on how to submit an application, see “How to Apply” on the left.

Project Types

Literary Arts supports projects in two distinct categories: Literary Publishing (February deadline) and Public Engagement/Professional Development (July deadline). Applicants must choose the deadline that best matches their proposed project. For more guidance about which category or discipline is most appropriate for your project, please contact us.

Literary Publishing (February Deadline)

This project type and deadline is specifically for literary journals and independent and university presses that seek to publish, distribute, and/or promote literary content by contemporary writers and translators in such genres as poetry, fiction, drama, and creative nonfiction. Content may be published in print, digitally, and/or in audio formats, and should be in English, or English and another language.

In addition to one or all of the above activities, proposals may incorporate any of the following:

• The use of emergent technology to enhance day-to-day processes or operations, reach new audiences, and/or deepen community connections;
• Efforts to advance the field of literary publishing, including cross-sector collaborations and fresh approaches to the development of literary content;
• Capacity-building activities—such as leadership and professional development, transition planning, and emergency preparedness—for organizations with a mission to serve historically underserved groups and communities. “Underserved groups and communities,” includes populations whose opportunities to experience and participate in literary arts have been limited by factors such as geography, race or ethnicity, economics, or disability.

Competitive proposals will address elements as stated in the application review criteria, and typically include:

• Descriptions of specific books, journal issues, and/or literary content that the project will publish and/or promote;
• An articulation of the organization’s unique artistic vision and place within the literary landscape;
• Compensation to writers and individuals who work to carry out the project;
• Clearly stated marketing and/or promotion efforts that are reflected in the budget;
• Distributor information for print publications;
• Consideration of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in relation to the project and within your organization;
• Required work samples.

Public Engagement/Professional Development (July Deadline)

This project type and deadline is for literary arts centers, festivals, presenters, and other organizations that offer literary arts programming and services designed to promote and develop practitioners of, and audiences for, the literary arts. Programs and services may have a local, regional, and/or national focus.

Proposals may include but are not limited to:

• Reading series, festivals, podcasts and other activities and events that engage the public with contemporary writers and writing;
• Conferences, residencies, workshops, and other professional development activities for creative writers;
• Services to the literary arts field;
• Collaborations within and across sectors to share knowledge, tools, and resources;
• Efforts to address challenges in the literary arts with an eye towards a just and sustainable future for the field;
• The use of emergent technology to enhance day-to-day processes or operations, reach new audiences, and/or deepen community connections;
• Projects incorporating literary arts to advance the health and well-being of individuals and communities;
• Capacity-building activities—such as leadership and professional development, transition planning, and emergency preparedness—for organizations with a mission to serve historically underserved groups and communities. “Underserved groups and communities,” includes populations whose opportunities to experience and participate in literary arts have been limited by factors such as geography, race or ethnicity, economics, or disability.

Competitive proposals will address elements as stated in the application review criteria, and typically include:

• Clear activities that are reflected in both the narrative and budget, and align with the applicant’s mission or artistic vision;
• A demonstrated understanding of the intended audience(s) and how you are serving audience needs;
• Well-defined goals and plans for assessing those goals;
• Compensation to writers and individuals who work to carry out the project;
• Consideration of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in relation to the project and within your organization;
• For local projects, an articulation of how activities will significantly impact the community and model best practices for the field.

In some cases, a project that involves literary arts may be better suited for review in another discipline. Review the Artistic Disciplines page for more information, including guidance on educational projects.

For questions, including help choosing the right discipline, contact NEA staff:
Jessica Flynn, flynnj@arts.gov or 202-682-5011

Compliance Reminders:

The NEA is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and fostering mutual respect for the diverse beliefs and values of all individuals and groups. Please note the following:

• Civil Rights Laws and Policies: As a reminder, in the federal-funding context, a focus on a particular group or demographic may be permissible, but exclusion is not. This extends to hiring practices, artist selection processes, and audience engagement. Your application should make it clear that project activities are not exclusionary. Please review the Assurance of Compliance, as well as NEA Civil Rights guidance on our website, including this archived webinar: Things to Know Before You Apply: Federal Civil Rights and Your Grants Application.
• Accessibility: Federal regulations require that all NEA-funded projects be accessible to people with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities may be audiences, visitors, artists, performers, teaching artists, students, staff, and volunteers. Funded activities should be held in a physically accessible venue, and program access and effective communication should be provided for participants and audience members with disabilities. If your project is recommended for funding, you will be asked to provide detailed information describing how you will make your project physically and programmatically accessible to people with disabilities.
• National Historic Preservation Act and/or the National Environmental Policy Act Review: Recommended projects may be subject to the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and/or the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance review. See more information about NHPA/NEPA review under Award Administration.

Deadlines

Grants for Arts Projects applications will be accepted at two deadlines. All project types (described above) are accepted at both deadlines. Apply at the deadline that most closely fits the schedule of activities or timeline of your proposed project. Generally, an organization is limited to one application per year in the Grants for Arts Projects category.

First Grants for Arts Projects Deadline:

Second Grants for Arts Projects Deadline: