Financial support through grants can make all the difference for a writer. Whether it is a project grant to finish a manuscript, a travel stipend for research, or a translation grant, this kind of funding is especially valuable for emerging authors.
In Iceland, the most significant literary grant is awarded through the Artists’ Salary Fund (Listamannalaun). It is awarded once a year for a number of months, and its primary goal is to support project development by offering a monthly stipend.
Many Icelandic literature grants are distributed by the Icelandic Literature Centre, including translation grants, grassroots grants, children’s and youth literature grants, as well as travel and publication grants.
Whether you are looking for financial support for your own writing or for a literary project you are developing, the best way forward is to stay up to date with grants and open calls. Keep an eye on local literary institutions, your municipality, grants for international collaborations available to your country or region, and other open opportunities.
Your Task
- Map the grants available to you. Start by looking up literary grants in your region, country, or even internationally. Browse for phrases like literary grants, writers’ grants, translation grants, publication grants, and more specific options for your type of writing, such as, for example, first book grant or crime story grant.
- Create a list of grants you would be interested in applying for.
- Estimate how much time you will need to prepare each application.
- Create an action plan if you like, with deadlines and next steps.
Reflection
- What type of grants would be most helpful for your current writing goals and why?
- Lived experience often differs from official information. Who could you ask about their experience with applying for financial support for writing?