Literary programmes

The foundation accepts applications for programmes that present literature to the public in various forms and settings, including:

• Literary festivals, stage productions, readings and programmes focusing on one or more writers, spoken word artists, illustrators or translators;

• Interdisciplinary programmes in which literature plays a significant role; • talent development programmes for professional creators;

• Initiatives aiming to promote literature or literary creators;

• The literary activities or events must be completed within 1.5 years of the grant being awarded.

If your activity is primarily focused on promoting literacy, please see the Literacy promotion grant scheme.

• The grant scheme is open exclusively to non-profit legal persons with full legal capacity that are based in the Kingdom of the Netherlands and which organise or implement literary programmes.

• An applicant may submit one application only in each funding round;

• Schools, libraries, publishers, universities and municipalities are not eligible.

• Organisations receiving a long-term grant from the Dutch Foundation for Literature may not apply to this grant scheme in 2025 or 2026.

• The foundation accepts applications for grants from €10,000 to €60,000.

• Applicants must cover at least 40% of the programme costs themselves or via a third party.

• Applicants based in the Caribbean, or applicants based in the European part of the Netherlands requesting funding for a project taking place in the Caribbean with a local partner, must cover at least 10% of the project costs themselves or via a third party.

• The grant is also intended to facilitate fair pay for participating writers, translators, presenters and hosts and other creators as well as freelancers and payroll staff working in organisation and production.

All submitted applications are verified after the submission deadline. Applications that meet the formal requirements are assessed by an advisory committee according to four criteria:

a. the programme’s artistic vision and literary quality;

b. the programme’s added value based on the current offering;

c. the professionalism and feasibility of the project plan, and  

d. the feasibility of the budget.

The notes to the grant provide a detailed explanation of these criteria.

There are two funding rounds each year. The closing dates are:

• 20 February 2026 (18:59 Caribbean time, 23:59 Dutch time)

• 26 June 2026 (17:59 Caribbean time, 23:59 Dutch time)

The foundation will process your application within 22 weeks of the closing date.

The foundation uses an online application form that you can access by clicking on the link at the top of this page. Please note that the form will not save your progress. Once you have uploaded the form, you will receive a confirmation by email. Only complete applications will be processed. If your application is complete, it will be presented to the advisory committee for assessment. Applications that are still incomplete on the submission deadline will not be processed.

Make sure you have all the required documents before submitting your application:

• Project plan;

• A balanced and detailed budget;

• Explanatory notes to the budget;

• A recent extract from the Chamber of Commerce register (KvK);

• Your organisation’s most recent approved annual accounts. Applicants based in the Caribbean, as well as applicants who are in the early stages of their activity and therefore have no approved annual accounts, are exempt from this obligation.

Your application must be written in Dutch or English. Applicants submitting projects for Dutch Sign Language may upload a video recording instead of a written project plan.