Nonfiction Grant for Works-in-Progress

Intensely researched nonfiction books, written with an artful sensitivity to depth and nuance, have always been important in shaping the way we understand the world; today they are essential.

In recent decades many extraordinary writers have contributed crucial works extending the form. Since this grant was established in 2016, the Foundation is proud to have supported dozens of books that have joined their ranks: Sarah M. Broom's The Yellow House, George Packer's Our Man, Kristen Radtke's Seek You, Andrea Elliot's Invisible Child, Meghan O'Rourke's The Invisible Kingdom, Chloé Cooper Jones's Easy Beauty, Rachel Aviv's Strangers to Ourselves, Ilyon Woo's Master Slave Husband Wife, and Patricia Evangelista's Some People Need Killing, to name just a few examples. Such projects require a wealth of time and resources. The path to a groundbreaking book is long and intensive, and the research process is unpredictable—even a generous advance from a supportive publisher may run out just as a writer unearths an essential piece of the story they are trying to tell, something transformative that leads to new questions. Recognizing this challenge to the creation of such exemplary works of literature, the Whiting Nonfiction Grant for Works-in-Progress’s chief objective is to foster original, ambitious projects brought to the highest possible standard.  Explore all previous grant winners here.  

 

Frequently Asked Questions

   
When are applications opening and when is the deadline?Applications for the 2026 cycle are now open. Applications will be received until May 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET (GMT-5).  
What is the link to apply?Please visit this link to apply.  
What are the criteria for eligibility?Projects that meet the following criteria are considered eligible:
  • Eligible subjects include history, cultural or political reportage, biography, memoir, science, philosophy, criticism, graphic nonfiction, and personal essays, among other categories, and must be for a general adult audience.
  • Self-help books, historical fiction, textbooks, books primarily for academics, and books aimed for younger audiences are ineligible.
  • The book must be at a mid-stage of production, meaning that a fair amount of work has been done, but there is still a significant amount of work to be done after the grant will be received in December 2026.
  • The book must be under contract with a publisher based in the US, UK, or Canada, though applicants may be based anywhere in the world.
  • Self-published books are ineligible.
  • The grant should be able to make a meaningful contribution to the final work through research and writing.
 
What is required in each application?The Whiting Foundation requires the following in each application:
  • The original proposal sent to the publisher.
  • Full-length draft chapters from your project.
    • These chapters can be up to 15,000 words, but should be full chapters.
    • Excerpts from different parts of the book do not count as draft chapters.
  • A statement on the work that still needs to be completed.
    • This is usually up to 800 words.
    • Include a summary of what has been completed so far and research methods.
    • Include a long-term plan for the book’s completion and how this grant will assist.
  • A written plan for how the funds will be used.
    • This should be 300 words.
    • Be as specific as possible and include numbers where you are able. Estimates are fine.
    • Do not include post-production costs, such as indexing, legal reviews, permissions or publicity.
  • Written responses to the questions in the application.
    • The first question is an open-ended question about the premise of your work. This allows you to go into more detail about the subject matter.
    • The second question is an open-ended question about your research design. You should go into detail about what research methods you will use.
    • The third question is about your narrative approach. Please detail the framing of your subject matter and how you will be looking at it through your prose.
    • Each question has a 750-word limit.
  • A signed and dated contract with the publisher.
  • A copy of your resume, which can be 2–4 pages.
  • A letter of reference from your publisher, also due by May 31, 2026.
  • Two additional letters of support may also be submitted, but these are not required.
 
How are applications evaluated?Applications are peer evaluated by a panel of judges in a multi-step review process presided over by the Resident Director. In each round, all application materials, including responses to prompts, are reviewed based on the eligibility criteria and the overall strength of the application.  
How many awardees are selected?10 awardees are selected each cycle.  
How much is each grant for?Each grant is for $40,000. Payments can be made in one or two installments.  
Can the award be paid to an institution, agency, LLC, or fiscal sponsor?No. The Nonfiction Grant for Works-in-Progress funds can only be paid to individuals, via the successful grantee's bank account held in their name. The Whiting Foundation will not remit funds to a third-party institution.  
What can the grant be used for?Grant funds can be used for anything related to the research and writing of your project. Costs associated with post-production efforts are ineligible. Examples of acceptable costs include:
  • Living expenses, including but not limited to:
    • Rent/mortgage payments
    • Household bills
    • Childcare
    • Health insurance and medical bills
  • Expenses related to completing and improving the manuscript, including but not limited to:
    • Hiring factcheckers, editors, cultural competency readers, translators, or transcribers
    • Document reproduction and access
    • Honoraria to interviewees and other experts
    • Travel expenses for research trips
  • Other expenses related to writing, including but not limited to:
    • Course buyouts for faculty members
    • Fees for conferences, workshops, and other professional development events
    • Office supplies or printing costs
    • Purchase of secondary sources, books, and other research materials
 
Is there a budget template I should use?No. We welcome written assessments for how funds will be used in a format that makes sense to the applicant.  
When will I learn whether or not I’ve received the grant, and what would be the next steps?Grant applicants will be informed of the Whiting Foundation’s decision in December 2026. Grant recipients will be invited to join a celebration in New York City in mid-January, with travel and hotel expenses paid.  
Where can I find more information?Please visit www.whiting.org and email awards-grants@whiting.org.  

Whiting Nonfiction Grant for Works In-Progress

The deadline for applications is has now closed.

The 2026 Whiting Nonfiction Grant for Works-in-Progress of $40,000 will be awarded to ten writers completing a deeply researched and imaginatively composed book-length work of nonfiction for a general adult readership. The grant supports multiyear projects at a crucial mid-process stage, after substantial progress has been made but before the final work is complete, when additional support can meaningfully shape the final work. The program’s objective is to foster original, ambitious projects brought to the highest possible standard.

Whiting welcomes applications for works of history, cultural or political reportage, biography, memoir, science, philosophy, criticism, graphic nonfiction, and personal essays, among other categories. The work should be intended for a general, rather than academic, adult readership. 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 on the program's website. 

Projects must be under contract with a publisher in Canada, the UK, or the US by May 31, 2026, and a fully executed contract must be uploaded with the application. Contracts with self-publishing companies are not eligible.

Please note that we cannot offer any extensions for contracts that are not signed by both writer and publisher by the application deadline.

Projects will be evaluated by a panel of expert judges according to established review criteria. The application includes three written responses addressing the work, research design, and narrative approach.

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

Link to Application

Writers must submit the materials listed below via the online application form by 11:59pm ET on Thursday, May 31, 2026. All materials, including letters of recommendation must be received by that deadline; incomplete applications will not be considered. The application form includes detailed instructions for each requested item.

  • The original proposal that led to the contract with your publisher.
  • Up to 15,000 words or approximately 50 double-spaced pages from your draft. Please submit full-length 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.
  • Written responses to three prompts that relate to your project: detailing the work’s premise, its research methods and design, and its narrative approach.
  • 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 - recommended length 2-4 pages.
  • A list of grants, fellowships, or other funding received for the book.
  • A letter of support sent from your publisher to the Foundation is required. Two additional confidential letters of recommendation can also be submitted, however they are optional. Letters must be received by the Foundation before the May 31st deadline.

Each project under submission will be peer reviewed by a panel of judges, presided over by Whiting’s Resident Director, taking into consideration the submitted chapters (while understanding that they are reading a work in progress) alongside the written responses provided. The ten grantees will be selected in December 2026/January 2027 and announced soon after. 

If you have any questions about the eligibility of your project or the application process, please contact us at awards-grants@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.

Tax-exempt publishers can apply for a FURTHERMORE Grant to support publication of nonfiction books that concern the arts, history, and the natural and built environment. 

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