Literary Creation Grant

Literary Creation Grant is sponsored by Pro Helvetia (Swiss Arts Council). This grant supports the development of literary projects intended for publication, including fiction, children's and youth literature, poetry, drama, and spoken word.

Literary creation grant - Pro Helvetia Applications can be submitted from: 1 January Practitioner with connection to Switzerland 1 March, 23:59 (CET) and 1 September, 23:59 (CEST) Development of a project intended for publication (incl.

digital formats) in the genres of fiction, children’s and youth literature, poetry, drama and spoken word Individuals and collectives Authors must have published at least one independent literary work with a publishing house that has professional structures Playwrights must have had at least one premiere (original, stage-ready theatre text) in a recognised venue Spoken word authors must have proof that they have previously authored professional performances of national significance Artistically independent, methodological approach and content-related relevance Impressive artistic form for the project and impact objective Coherent implementation concept and feasibility In addition to these specific criteria, the general requirements apply.

Maximum grant for a writing project: CHF 25,000 Maximum grant for a theatre text: CHF 18,000 Maximum grant for a performative literary project: CHF 15,000 Project description (max.

4,000 characters) 20 pages of the planned text for fiction projects 15 pages of the planned text for playwriting projects 15 poems for poetry projects 4 to 8 plates and a meaningful excerpt of the text for illustrated texts 5 pages plus audio and/or video material for spoken-word projects Format-specific Exclusion Criteria The project must be completed no earlier than 9 months and no later than 3 years after the application closing date (manuscript submission) Theatre texts must be completed no earlier than 6 months and no later than 2 years after the application closing date (manuscript submission or premiere) Performance projects may be realised no earlier than 6 months before and no later than 2 years after the application closing date Recipients of creation grants can only reapply for a creation grant after the project has been completed Rejected projects may not be resubmitted The contribution is linked to literary texts by natural persons Application Deadlines and Decision Timelines Applications can be submitted from 1 January and 1 July Submission deadline 1 March, 23:59 (CET) and 1 September, 23:59 (CEST) Notification of decision Within 4 months after the application deadline Decision-making processes Unless otherwise specified, applications will be assessed in accordance with the general decision-making process .

The applications will be assessed by a jury.

Applications can be submitted from: 1 January You might be interested in Literary creation grants spring 2026 Literary creation grants autumn 2025 Literary creation grants in spring 2025 Literary creation grants December 2024 Pro Helvetia promotes the professional contemporary Swiss art and cultural production (without film) with a view to diversity as well as national and international reach.

It supports the creation of new artistic works and productions, the exchange between Switzerland’s various linguistic regions, the dissemination of Swiss art and culture outside Switzerland and international cultural exchange. As a national foundation, Pro Helvetia supplements the promotional activities of Swiss cantons and municipalities and only supports projects that are cross-regionally or internationally recognised.

Pro Helvetia will only consider funding applications if they are complete and have been submitted on time.

To be eligible for support, projects must have a clear connection to Switzerland be of nationwide importance be adequately co-funded by other public or private means respects/guarantee fair working conditions Connection to Switzerland A connection to Switzerland is given, if one of the following conditions is met: The production or project in question is developed or implemented by artists and cultural practitioners, who verifiably hold Swiss citizenship or are permanent residents of Switzerland and who are regularly artistically involved in relevant events in Switzerland.

The project is created, developed, or implemented by an independent group or cultural institution whose place of production is in Switzerland and who is regularly and publicly active in Switzerland.

Nationwide relevance is given, if one of the following conditions is met: The art and cultural practitioners participating in the project are regularly involved in programmes of nationally recognised art and cultural institutions in Swiss regions other than their own or abroad, and the project in question has a transregional appeal.

The artistic potential of an emerging art practitioner involved is exceptional in terms of a national or international career. The project makes a significant contribution to the development of Swiss artistic and cultural production and its dissemination. The project is of significant importance for the exchange between Switzerland’s various linguistic regions.

Assessment of content and quality Within the framework of the available funds, Pro Helvetia prioritises projects that most comprehensively meet the funding criteria.

The Foundation assesses whether the project demonstrates high degree of independence and professional competence as well as social and thematic relevance the project is implemented according to professional standards the costs are commensurate with the expected impact a lasting impact can be expected Furthermore, the Foundation attaches great importance to the following aspects: The project has an appropriate commitment to diversity.

Resources are used in an ecologically responsible manner and work and production are planned sustainably.

Pro Helvetia is unable to consider funding requests if the same part of the submitted project is already received funding from other federal bodies (e.g. Federal Office of Culture, Presence Switzerland, Swiss National Science Foundation, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation) the project is part of a school or university curriculum/basic training or continuing education programme (including dissertations, diploma projects, university scholarships, etc.) funding is intended to cover infrastructure and equipment costs, as well as the costs of operating cultural facilities, archives and collections the project does not depend on funding from Pro Helvetia the project requires travel to regions for which the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) advises against travel at the time of application.

» General decision-making process The decision-making process regarding applications is visualised below. Complete and legally relevant information can be found in the Grant Ordinance available in German , French and Italian .