The Silvers Grant Program, offered by the Robert B. Silvers Foundation, provides grants of up to $10,000 to support long-form nonfiction writing. This prestigious opportunity is designed for Anglophone writers worldwide working in literary criticism, arts and culture writing, political analysis, or social reportage.
The program honours the legacy of Robert B. Silvers, founding editor of The New York Review of Books, by funding rigorous, in-depth projects that enrich public discourse, cultural understanding, and critical thinking. Grants help writers dedicate time and resources to complete complex works with a confirmed path to publication.
Note: Fiction, translation projects, and works without a publishing agreement are not eligible.
Eligible Fields
- Literary criticism
- Arts and culture writing
- Political analysis
- Social reportage
Key Features of the Silver Grant
- Funding Amount: Up to $10,000
- Purpose: Support for research, reporting, writing, revision, travel, access costs, or other documented project-related expenses
- Focus: Depth, originality, analytical rigour, and contributions to serious journalism and intellectual writing
- Requirement: Applicants must have a confirmed publishing agreement (e.g., signed contract, editor commitment, or documented intent to publish)
Who Can Apply?
- Anglophone writers (writing in English) of any nationality
- Authors working on long-form nonfiction in the eligible fields
- Writers with a confirmed publishing agreement or commitment from a publisher/publication
Application Requirements
Submit all materials as a single PDF, including:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- One-page project description (scope, argument, goals, and significance)
- Completed financial questionnaire (budget, anticipated expenses, other funding sources, including advances)
- Writing sample (500–2,000 words; can be an excerpt from the project or a representative previously published piece)
- Proof of confirmed publishing agreement (signed contract, written editor commitment, or equivalent documentation)
Tip: Download the financial questionnaire form directly from the official site when preparing your application.
Important Dates for 2026
- Application Deadline: March 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST
- Notifications: Winners notified in the first week of August 2026
Late submissions are not accepted.
How to Apply
- Gather and prepare all required documents.
- Combine everything into one single PDF file.
- Ensure proof of your publishing agreement is included.
- Submit via the official application portal on the Robert B. Silvers Foundation website.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting fiction or translation projects
- Omitting proof of a publishing agreement
- Providing incomplete financial information
- Writing samples outside the 500–2,000 word range
- Submitting multiple files instead of one PDF
The Silvers Grant Program offers a rare opportunity for nonfiction writers to complete impactful, intellectually rigorous work with guaranteed publication support. Whether you’re crafting deep literary criticism, insightful political analysis, or compelling social reportage, this grant can provide the crucial time and funding needed to bring your project to fruition.
For inquiries, contact: [email protected]
Apply now before the March 31, 2026, deadline and continue the legacy of excellence in long-form nonfiction.