The RSL Hawthornden Literature Matters Grants are a major intervention by the RSL and Hawthornden Foundation in support of literature, an area of the arts which is critically under-supported. The grants, totalling £1 million, will promote literature in communities across the UK by supporting book events, literary festivals, workshops and more.
Research commissioned by Arts Council England showed that between 2021 and 2024 just 3% of private funding for culture went to literature. Literature is the least-supported arts sector in the UK and the only art form to see a drop in financial support between 2021 and 2024.
This new £1m fund will be distributed over five years through annual funding rounds of £200,000 each and grants awarded will be between £5k and £30k.
Elif Shafak, president of The Royal Society of Literature, says:
“These grants comes at a crucial time for many literary organisations when funding and support are being cut and yet costs are rising. This money could mean the survival of literary projects that are currently at risk of collapse, or the creation of new projects with the potential to reach would-be readers where they are. This was my thought, my sincere hope, when I accepted the role of president of the RSL in December as I passionately believe that our need for literature is as existential as our need for air, bread and water. Especially in these broken times we need to support and spread a love for literature. And that is exactly what these grants will do.”
Hawthornden is a charitable foundation which supports writers and literature internationally and in the UK. Ellyn Toscano, Executive Director of Hawthornden Foundation, says:
“We are passionate about supporting writers and literature. At a time when the literary arts are facing a significant decline in private and public funding, we urge other organisations and companies to join us in backing this crucial art form and ensuring it flourishes in every community in the UK.”
Two types of grant will be made. ‘Operating Grants’ support the delivery or expansion of established programmes or ongoing work. ‘Innovation Grants’ will support new, experimental or one-off projects designed to test new approaches or to reach under-served audiences and communities.
Applications for the 2026 funding round opened on Friday 22 May 2026 and will remain open until 9am on Wednesday 8 July 2026. The successful applicants will be announced in October this year. Applications must be made through the online form, which can be accessed via the RSL website here.
When so many literary festivals and organisations are struggling, and would-be readers are being lost, the RSL and Hawthornden Foundation believe their shared ambition to encourage literature and reading is urgent and important. Anyone interested in contributing to the Literature Matters grants and promoting literature in communities across the UK is encouraged to contact the RSL on [email protected].