Project grants for book creators

For the creation of a new literary work in book form. All literary genres are eligible, including prose, non-fiction, poetry, children’s and young adult literature, graphic novels and other visual narratives. The work must be published by an established literary publisher. 

All literary artists, regardless of the stage of their career or the genre in which they write or illustrate, may apply for funding for a book. The scheme is open, for example, to debut authors, writers of prose, poetry and biographies, illustrators of picture books and graphic novels, and authors from the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, including those writing in Papiamentu. The specific conditions for each applicant group are set out below under ‘Conditions for applications’. 

It is not possible to receive funding for more than one project at the same time. This means that you may only apply again once your previously funded book has been published.

The amount of the grant depends on the expected time required for the project from the date of application onwards.  

• For projects lasting less than two years from application to publication, you may apply for €15,000.

• For projects lasting two years or longer, you may apply for €30,000.  

• If you are applying for a graphic novel on which both a writer and a visual storyteller are working, different amounts apply: €20,000 for projects lasting up to two years and €40,000 for projects lasting two years or more.  These amounts are divided between the creators.

• It is possible to apply for the lower grant amount for longer projects. 

Writers in all genres and at every stage of their careers may submit applications during the three general application rounds. In addition, there is one annual application round for writers and visual storytellers of graphic novels, and for visual storytellers of illustrated works. Writers of illustrated works should apply in one of the three general rounds.

In 2026, the application windows are as follows:

• 2 February – 2 March (for visual storytellers) – closed

• 16 March – 15 April (for writers)

• 1 July – 1 September (for writers)

A complete application consists of the following elements. Please check that you have all the required documents before submitting your application:  

1. a project plan drawn up using the model available on the Dutch Foundation for Literature website – for writers or for visual storytellers

2. a copy of the publishing agreement with the publisher, or a letter of intent from the publisher showing that they will enter into a publishing agreement with the applicant for the proposed book publication. If the proposed book publication is a debut, a publishing agreement must be enclosed with the application;  

3. a copy of the publishing agreement with the publisher for every book publication you wish to have assessed, so this attachment is not required for debut authors;

4. the most recent final income tax assessment, not the provisional assessment or tax return;  

5. and literary work that will be submitted to our advisers and external readers for assessment during the processing of your application. Which literary work this is depends on the group within which you are applying and on whether you have submitted an application to us before. We prefer to receive book publications in hard copy, in five copies, at our visiting address.

For an application debut:  

5. an extract from the book for which you are applying. The required length depends on the genre of the book to be written and is set out in the scheme (Article 6(6)(c)); 

6. other work for assessment of your own choice. The required length depends on the genre of the book to be written and is set out in the scheme (Article 6(6)(d)). 

For an application for a second book: 

5. your literary debut (five copies)

If you have previously submitted an application: 

5. your most recent book publication (five copies) that has not yet been assessed under this scheme or its predecessor schemes. 

If you have not previously submitted an application, but already have at least two publications: 

5. your most recent book publication (five copies);

6. a second book publication of your own choice (five copies).

Please note: all books must be received by the Dutch Foundation for Literature in good time, no later than the day of the deadline. Please send them to our visiting address, Nieuwe Prinsengracht 89, 1091 BX Amsterdam, and keep proof of postage. Books submitted will not be returned unless the application cannot be taken into consideration.

Have you gathered everything? Then submit your application via ‘Start your application’ at the top of this page.  

• Titles for which the writer personally contributes to the production, promotion or distribution costs, or for which the writer purchases a certain number of copies, are not eligible for funding under this scheme.

• In the years during which the funded project is being written, gross taxable aggregate income may not exceed €52,500, including the grant awarded by the Dutch Foundation for Literature. It is possible to have the grant paid in instalments over the duration of the project, up to a maximum of three years. The final income tax assessment issued by the tax authorities serves as proof of taxable aggregate income, not the provisional assessment or the tax return. If the writing project lasts longer than one year, taxable aggregate income may exceed €52,500 in one year, provided that the average income during the years in which the project takes place, up to a maximum of three years, does not exceed €52,500 per year.Any excess must be reported as soon as possible, together with copies of the relevant tax assessments. No income threshold applies to applicants for literary biographies.