Our Grants team is here to guide you through our confidential application process to see if you or your family qualify for assistance.
Watch our video to find out more.
No, we don’t give personal loans or grants towards completion of any literary work. RLF hardship grants are given as a donation towards the removal of distress for the applicant.
We support writers from the following disciplines:
- Biography
- Children’s and YA fiction
- Essays
- Non-fiction
- Novelists (including ‘genre fiction’)
- Playwriting
- Poetry
- Scriptwriting
- Translation
- Short stories
- Ghostwriting
- Graphic novels
Unfortunately, we are not able to currently accept applications from the following disciplines or categories:
- Illustration
- Performance poetry
- Academic works, textbooks or technical manuals
- Blogs
- Work as a critic or journalist
- Work as an editor or compiler
- Works under contract but not yet published
- Self-published works (including works where the author has contributed towards the cost of publishing i.e. hybrid contracts)
To be eligible to apply for an RLF hardship grant, you must have a minimum of two works published that meet our criteria listed here. The Royal Literary Fund exists to support professional writers. Our grants team responds to those struggling to meet their basic living costs due to unexpected setbacks, such as illness or a sudden loss of income.
We are aware that inequities and challenges in the current publishing ecosystem have led many writers to choose self-publishing as an alternative means of distribution, offering greater control over how their work reaches readers, rather than relying on traditional publishing that may not recognise or support them. However, because self-publishing covers such a wide range of activity — from carefully edited, professionally-produced books to personal projects and, more recently, work involving AI-generated content — our grants team has sought to standardise our eligibility criteria.
Our current policy for assessing grant applications is based on recognised professional standards. Focusing on these publication procedures, in which an external publisher has chosen to select and invest in a writer’s work by taking on the financial, editorial, marketing and distribution responsibilities, helps us identify a writer’s professional practice. This also ensures our grants cover the individual writer’s needs rather than any costs associated with bringing work to publication, which our hardship grants are not designed to cover.
The RLF remains committed to accepting applications and awarding grants to writers from all backgrounds, reflecting the diverse range of voices within the literary community.
If you are a self-published author looking for help visit our Writer Resources page. We recommend visiting the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), a global non-profit membership association for self-publishing authors.
To be eligible to apply for an RLF hardship grant you must have a minimum of two works published which meet the criteria listed here.
If you are a journalist looking for assistance, we suggest taking a look at the Journalist’s Charity, a resource for journalists across the country. Their website offers support, advice, and financial assistance.
You can find more information about this organisation and many others on our Writer Resources page.
Yes, we do support the dependants of writers. You may be asked for supporting documentation demonstrating your financial dependence on the writer. If a dependant is under 18, a parent or legal guardian must apply on their behalf.
Yes, we can accept applications from legal guardians, carers (with signed, written confirmation from the author) or those with Lasting Power of Attorney.
The RLF committee passes applicants for literary merit before they can consider a grant. All our grants are means-tested, and the whole household income is considered part of the application. As part of this confidential application process, you will be asked to provide details of your publishing history, details of your income and expenditure and supporting documentation. You may also be asked to send copies of your published work.
You will also be invited to discuss your application and circumstances with a staff member. Grants are given as a donation towards the removal of the distress of the applicant and not as a loan, nor for the completion of any literary work.
The Grants Committee meets 11 times a year to consider applications. The grants team will be able to confirm at which meeting your application will be considered once all relevant materials and documents have been received.
We aim to process first-time applicants within two months of receiving all relevant documents and materials, and one month for returning writers.
All applications are assessed by the RLF committee, which meets 11 times a year. Once you have supplied all the relevant materials and documents to support your application, the RLF’s Grants team will be able to confirm when your application will be considered.