Caribbean Literature
For whom?
You can apply for this scheme if you are based in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom and:
- you are active as a writer*, (performance) poet, illustrator, spoken word artist, slam artist, literary translator or playwright
- you organise literary activities as an organisation, such as a festival or reading promotion events
- as an organisation, you publish literary works, in book form, or as part of a project, such as a play or podcast
- as an organisation, you help talents develop themselves by offering guidance in writing, translation, (final) editing or stage presentations
* who is professionally engaged or aspires to be professionally engaged in the creation or translation of literature;
For what?
The grant is intended for a variety of literary initiatives in all genres: literary novels, short stories, poetry collections, spoken word, plays, graphic novels, literary nonfiction, children’s and youth literature. On paper, on stage or in digital form.
The Fund distinguishes three categories in this regard:
1. The creation of new literary works
This may concern a work grant/fee for writing a new literary text. Or alternatively for the translation costs of an existing literary text into or from Papiamento or Papiamentu, also if it is multilingual. Furthermore, you may apply for costs of editing/supervision, production (design, illustration, printing), public outreach/presentation and distribution. And the production costs of interdisciplinary or multimedia literary projects.
2. Talent Development
This concerns the professional development of literary creators. For example, in order to set up or participate in creative writing workshops or courses and literary translation workshops. Individual guidance, mentoring, coaching, education and ‘train-the-trainer’ programs are also included. Furthermore, you may apply for a grant for a research plan in which you, as a literary creator, explore the possibilities and feasibility of your literary ambition. For example: elaborating an idea for a book on both a content and artistic level as well as on a business level: who will publish it, who will do the editing, what are the publication costs? Finally, residency or travel expenses may form a modest part of a grant application.
3. Literary Activities
The grant is intended for organisations performing public activities in the field of literature. For example, in the form of organising festivals, writing competitions, (online and offline) literary manifestos, ‘literature in the neighbourhood’ events and open-mic events. This may also include reading promotion activities that take place both inside and outside the classroom, for both young and old, such as in libraries.
An application may cover either one category, or it may cover several categories.
How much?
Individual literary creators may apply for a grant up to €25,000, cultural organisations for up to €50,000.
How and when to apply?
Please use the online form that can be found on the website of the Dutch Foundation for Literature. Please note that you cannot save the form and continue later. You will receive a confirmation of receipt by email. The Fund will only process complete applications. If your application is complete, it will be submitted to the consultant(s). The application period starts 15 January 2025.
Here you will find more information about submitting an application to the Foundation for Literature.
More information about the conditions, assessment criteria and the information needed to process your application can be found via the button below on the Foundation for Literature website. This information is available in Dutch, English, Papiamento en Papiamentu.
Questions & contact
Do you have any questions about this grant or is something not entirely clear? Please contact the contact person on this page.
