Open Call for the Gulliver’s Travel Grant Program

The Speculative Literature Foundation’s Gulliver’s Travel Grant offers up to $1,000 to writers of speculative literature for travel that supports research and creative projects. The grant covers airfare, lodging, and other travel expenses, with applications open until November 30, 2025.

Overview of the Grant

The Gulliver’s Travel Grant Program supports writers working within speculative literature, including:

• Hard science fiction and epic fantasy

• Ghost stories, horror, and magical realism

• Folk and fairy tales, slipstream, and other fabulist works

The program is designed to help writers access locations and experiences that enhance their creative research, providing financial assistance for travel-related expenses such as airfare and lodging.

Who is Eligible?

Applicants must:

• Be writers working in speculative literature; prior publication is not required

• Submit a writing sample: up to 10 pages of poetry, 10 pages of drama, or 5,000 words of fiction/creative nonfiction

• Include a one-page synopsis if submitting excerpts from a longer work

• Submit a cover letter detailing their project, intended travel, and estimated completion date

• Provide a bibliography of previously published work, if available

Past recipients may reapply, but will receive lower priority within two years of their previous award.

Grant Benefits

• Funding: Up to $1,000 USD to cover travel expenses

• Flexibility: Travel may occur at any point in the year following the grant cycle

• Exposure: Recipients contribute a 500–1,000 word research report and an autobiographical statement for public and internal records

How to Apply

1. Prepare a cover letter explaining the project, travel location, and expected completion date

2. Include a writing sample within the allowed length and a synopsis if applicable

3. Attach a bibliography of previously published work (if available)

4. Submit the application online between 12:00 AM and 11:59 PM UTC-4 by November 30, 2025

Selection Criteria

Applications are reviewed based on:

• Merit and quality of the writing sample

• Relevance and potential impact of the proposed travel on the speculative project

• Clarity and feasibility of the project plan

Obligations of Recipients

• Submit a post-travel report (500–1,000 words) detailing how the travel contributed to their research

• Provide a post-travel autobiographical statement of the same length for public sharing

Tips for Applicants

• Clearly explain how the travel will enhance your creative work

• Ensure your writing sample aligns with the speculative literature genre

• Be concise and precise in your project description and proposed travel plans

• Submit early to ensure consideration, as the jury reviews applications on merit

FAQ

1. What types of literature are eligible? Speculative works including science fiction, fantasy, horror, magical realism, folk tales, and other fabulist genres.

2. Is prior publication required? No, applicants do not need to have published work.

3. What is the maximum grant amount? $1,000 USD.

4. Can past recipients apply again? Yes, but with lower priority within two years of receiving the grant.

5. When is the application deadline? November 30, 2025, between 12:00 AM and 11:59 PM UTC-4.

6. What documents are required? Cover letter, writing sample, synopsis (if needed), and bibliography of prior work.

7. What are recipients required to submit after travel? A 500–1,000 word research report and autobiographical statement.

Conclusion

The Gulliver’s Travel Grant is a unique opportunity for writers of speculative literature to gain funding for creative research trips that enhance their work. With support for travel expenses and a platform to share their research, this grant helps writers expand their projects, connect with new experiences, and contribute to the broader field of speculative literature.