Deadline: 01-Oct-2026
The Shevchenko Foundation Literary Arts Sector is part of the Arts Pillar funding stream that supports literary creators connected to the Ukrainian Canadian experience. It aims to preserve, develop, and promote Ukrainian Canadian culture through literature and creative writing across Canada.
The program focuses on supporting individual creators and collaborative literary projects that contribute meaningfully to cultural expression and community engagement.
Programme Objectives and Focus Areas
The program prioritizes:
- Strengthening Ukrainian Canadian cultural identity through literature
- Supporting writers, illustrators, and literary creators
- Sharing Ukrainian Canadian cultural contributions with wider audiences
- Encouraging innovation in literary creation and dissemination
- Supporting preservation and promotion of cultural heritage
- Expanding reach through new technologies and partnerships
- Enhancing literary engagement at community, regional, and national levels
Eligible Literary Fields and Creative Forms
The program supports a wide range of literary genres, including:
- Fiction
- Poetry
- Creative non-fiction
- Literary criticism
- Contemporary literary biography and autobiography
- Children’s literature
- Illustrated picture books
- Graphic novels
- Biographical works on artists or historical figures
Eligible projects may include:
- Writing and research development
- Translation of Ukrainian literature into English or French
- Translation of Canadian literature for publishers
- Publication and dissemination activities
- Collaborative literary projects
- Experimental literary forms
Eligible Activities and Support Areas
Funding may be used for:
- Traditional and digital publishing
- Literary events, readings, and storytelling sessions
- Workshops and writing-based community activities
- Podcasts and digital literary media
- Promotional campaigns for completed works
- Illustration and visual storytelling support
- Research and content development
- Cross-cultural literary exchange projects
Eligible Applicants
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Canadian citizens or permanent residents
- Writers, illustrators, or literary creators
- Individuals or collaborative teams (with a designated lead applicant)
- Creators maintaining final creative control over their work
Additional requirements:
- Must provide letters of reference from literary peers or professionals
- Must not have outstanding final reports from previous grants
- Multi-year projects are eligible but must follow phased funding and reporting
Funding Conditions
- Grants cover project-related costs only
- No general living allowances are provided
- Self-published books are eligible for up to 50% of printing costs
- Applicants must demonstrate financial capacity to complete the project
- Funding is subject to clear reporting and accountability requirements
Ineligible Projects
The program does not fund:
- Projects submitted to fulfill academic degree or diploma requirements
- Applications solely requesting time to write without a defined output
- Self-publishing projects exceeding eligible cost limits
- Projects lacking clear literary or cultural outcomes
Additional Requirements for Education Projects
- Must include documentation from an educational authority
- Must confirm curriculum relevance or acceptance
- Must demonstrate structured educational value
Evaluation Priorities
Applications are assessed based on:
- Strength of Ukrainian Canadian cultural connection
- Artistic and literary merit
- Community and cultural impact
- Feasibility and financial readiness
- Innovation in literary production and dissemination
- Capacity to reach broader audiences
- Use of partnerships and modern technologies
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting projects without clear literary outputs
- Missing required reference letters
- Applying without permanent residency or citizenship status
- Requesting unsupported living expenses
- Failing to show connection to Ukrainian Canadian culture
- Submitting incomplete financial or project plans
Tips for a Strong Application
- Clearly define literary outcomes (book, translation, publication, etc.)
- Emphasize Ukrainian Canadian cultural relevance
- Include strong publication or dissemination strategy
- Provide clear project timeline and budget
- Demonstrate professional literary experience
- Include credible references from the literary community
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does this program support?
- It supports literary creation, illustration, translation, and dissemination projects connected to Ukrainian Canadian culture
- Who can apply?
- Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are writers, illustrators, or literary creators
- What types of projects are eligible?
- Fiction, poetry, children’s literature, graphic novels, translation, publishing, and literary events
- Are living expenses covered?
- No, only project-related costs are funded
- Can collaborative projects apply?
- Yes, but one lead applicant must be responsible for reporting
- Are self-published books eligible?
- Yes, but only up to 50% of printing costs are covered
Conclusion
The Shevchenko Foundation Literary Arts Sector program supports the development and dissemination of Ukrainian Canadian literary culture across Canada. By funding writers, illustrators, and translators, it strengthens cultural identity while enabling high-quality literary works to reach broader audiences through publication, events, and innovative storytelling approaches.
For more information, visit Shevchenko Foundation.
