Applications Open for Literary Creation Projects Program (Canada)

Deadline: 10-Sep-2026

The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) provides $12,000 grants to eligible Ontario-based literary artists creating new book-length works or recording their own literary repertoire. The program supports genres including fiction, poetry, literary non-fiction, comic arts, and young adult literature, with funding available for eligible creation, research, and editorial expenses. What Is the Ontario Arts Council Literary Creation Program? The program supports professional literary artists in Ontario who are developing new original literary works intended for publication or public performance. It also supports literary performers who want to record their own existing repertoire. The Ontario Arts Council has supported the development and presentation of arts across Ontario for more than six decades. Through its funding programs, OAC helps artists develop professional practices and create work that can reach audiences across the province and beyond. What Funding Is Available? Each successful applicant receives a fixed grant of $12,000. The funding can support eligible costs directly related to creating or developing the proposed literary project.

Eligible expenses may include:

Artist fees for time spent working on the project. Research-related travel and accommodation. Purchase of books, resources, or other research materials. Fees for research assistants. Childcare or dependent-care expenses required to participate in the project. Eligible editorial costs incurred before submission to an agent or publisher. Editorial expenses are eligible but cannot exceed 50% of the awarded grant. What Types of Projects Are Supported? The program supports original literary projects intended for book-length publication or public presentation. Manage childcare or dependent-care costs associated with project participation. Develop work toward publication or public performance. For established literary artists, the grant can therefore provide practical support during the creation stage before a manuscript reaches an agent or publisher. How to Apply Applicants should prepare their application around a clearly defined literary project and demonstrate that they meet the program’s professional eligibility requirements.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Verify that you:

Are an Ontario resident. Meet the program’s professional publishing or professional-practice requirements. Are working in an eligible literary genre. Are proposing an eligible original project. Meet all current OAC application requirements.

Step 2: Define the Project

Clearly explain:

What you intend to create. The genre and format of the work. The project’s artistic objectives. Why the project requires funding. How you will use the grant. What you expect to accomplish during the project period.

Step 3: Prepare Your Professional Evidence

Applicants should provide evidence demonstrating their professional literary practice, such as eligible published works, professional self-publishing experience, or membership in a recognized professional writers’ association.

Step 4: Develop the Budget

Prepare a realistic budget showing how the $12,000 grant will support eligible project expenses. If editorial costs are included, ensure they remain within the 50% maximum.

Step 5: Submit the Application

Submit the completed application and required supporting materials through the Ontario Arts Council’s designated application process before the applicable deadline. Applicants should check the latest program guidelines for current deadlines, documentation requirements, and submission instructions. Tips for a Strong Application A competitive application should make the proposed project easy to understand.

Consider the following:

Describe a specific project: Avoid vague descriptions of your general writing career.

Explain the creative goal: Clearly identify what you intend to produce.

Demonstrate professional experience: Highlight relevant publishing or literary achievements.

Connect expenses to the project: Explain why each major cost is necessary.

Keep the budget realistic: Ensure requested expenses are eligible and appropriately calculated.

Respect the editorial-cost limit: Editorial expenses cannot exceed 50% of the grant.

Check exclusions carefully: Confirm that your genre, format, and proposed work are eligible.

Allow time for submission: Do not wait until the deadline to prepare required documents.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Applying without meeting the professional eligibility requirements. Proposing an ineligible genre or format. Requesting support for excluded work. Including editorial expenses above the permitted limit. Using the grant budget for unrelated personal or professional expenses. Providing insufficient evidence of publishing or professional literary activity. Failing to explain how the funding will directly contribute to the proposed work. Who can apply for the Ontario Arts Council literary grant? Ontario residents who are eligible literary artists with an established professional publishing or literary practice can apply, subject to the program’s specific eligibility requirements. How much funding does each applicant receive? Each successful applicant receives $12,000. What literary genres are eligible? Eligible areas include comic arts, fiction, literary non-fiction, poetry, and young adult literature, subject to the detailed program guidelines. Can the grant pay for editorial services? Yes. Eligible editorial expenses incurred before submitting a manuscript to an agent or publisher may be supported. However, editorial expenses cannot exceed 50% of the grant. Can new writers apply? The program requires applicants to demonstrate a professional literary practice through specified publishing, self-publishing, or professional association criteria. Therefore, applicants without qualifying professional experience may not be eligible. Are children’s picture books eligible? No. Children’s picture books are among the catego