The 2023 Whiting Creative Nonfiction Grant of $40,000 will be awarded to as many as ten writers in the process of completing a book-length work of deeply researched and imaginatively composed nonfiction for a general readership. It is intended for multiyear book projects requiring large amounts of deep and focused research, thinking, and writing at a crucial point mid-process, after significant work has been accomplished but when an extra infusion of support can make a difference in the ultimate shape and quality of the work.

Whiting welcomes applications for works of history, cultural or political reportage, biography, memoir, science, philosophy, criticism, food or travel writing, graphic nonfiction, and personal essays, among other categories. Again, the work should be intended for a general, not academic, adult reader. Self-help titles, historical fiction, textbooks, books primarily for a scholarly audience, and books for young readers are not eligible. Examples of the wide range of previous grantees can be found here.

Projects must be under contract with a publisher in Canada, the UK, or the US by April 25 to be eligible. Contracts with self-publishing companies are not eligible.

Writers must submit the following materials via the online application form by 11:59pm ET on Tuesday, April 25:

• The original proposal that led to the contract with a publisher
• Up to 25,000 words from your draft. Please submit complete draft chapters, rather than short excerpts from across your book, to the extent the word count allows
• A statement of work yet to be completed
• A plan for use of funds
• A signed and dated contract (please note that to be eligible, books must be under contract with a Canadian, UK, or US publisher – unfortunately, we can make no exceptions to this requirement)
• A current resume
• A list of grants, fellowships, or other funding received for the book
• A letter of support from your publisher or editor

Each project under submission will have two first-round readers who will evaluate for substance and execution (while understanding that they are reading a work in progress). Finalists will be considered by a separate panel of judges who will evaluate for need in addition to substance and execution. Readers and judges will consist of experts in the field and will serve anonymously to shield them from any external pressures. The grantees will be announced in the fall.

The Foundation will host two online information sessions to answer questions and offer guidance on applying for the grant. Register for an info session by clicking the date below:

• Weds, February 22 at 12pm ET
• Thurs, March 23 at 12pm ET

If you have any questions about the eligibility of your project or the application process, please contact the Whiting Foundation at nonfiction@whiting.org.

Regardless of eligibility for this grant, Whiting encourages nonfiction writers at all stages of the writing process to consult the Poets & Writers’ Writing Contests, Grants & Awards database for other opportunities for support.

Nonfiction authors with books under contract with a publisher might also consider applying to the J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Awards.

A few opportunities open to nonfiction writers not under contract with a publisher include:

• AWP Sue William Silverman Prize for Creative Nonfiction
• Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize
• Leon Levy Center for Biography Fellowships
• Silvers Grants for Works in Progress
• Zone 3 Press Creative Nonfiction Book Award
• The Gournay Prize from Ohio State University Press