Writing Funding Guide: Grants, Bursaries & Fellowships

Dozens of new funded opportunities to kick off 2026.

Writing Grants, Bursaries & Fellowships

Most writers underestimate how much funding is actually available to them. Grants for manuscripts in progress, bursaries for writing courses you can’t afford, fellowships that cover living expenses while you write — these opportunities exist, and more of you are eligible than you’d think.​

Organizations are actively looking to fund writers at all career stages, including those who are underrepresented, early-career, or simply stretching their budgets too thin.​

This edition shares with you carefully vetted opportunities across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, and worldwide, all with deadlines concentrated between now and February 2026.​

Whether you’re completing a manuscript, launching into a new genre, or finally taking that course you’ve been eyeing, there’s likely funding here for you. You just need to know where to look.

The full collection with links, deadlines, and application details is available below for paid subscribers.

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Writing Grants, Bursaries & Fellowships

New writing grants, bursaries & fellowships in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom & worldwide, with submission dates from January to March 2026.

UNITED STATES & CANADA

Leon Levy Centre for Biography Fellowships
These fellowships provide up to $15,000 each (six fellowships total) for writers working on biographical projects. Fellows gain access to the CUNY Graduate Center’s resources and become part of a scholarly community dedicated to the art of biography. The fellowship supports research, writing time, and completion of biographical works focusing on individual lives. Applications require a project proposal, writing sample, and letters of recommendation.
Deadline: January 4th, 2026.

RIFFA Emerging Screenwriters Fellowship
This fellowship supports emerging screenwriters with mentorship, professional development, and resources to advance their screenwriting careers. Fellows receive guidance on script development, industry connections, and career navigation. The program focuses on diverse voices and underrepresented perspectives in screenwriting.
Deadline: January 10th, 2026.