Request for Applications: Literary Creation Grant Program (Switzerland)

The Literary Creation Grants support professional writers and literary creators in Switzerland developing new works intended for publication or performance. The programme offers up to CHF 25,000 for writing projects, CHF 18,000 for theatre texts, and CHF 15,000 for performative literary projects across a wide range of literary genres.

What are the Literary Creation Grants?

The Literary Creation Grants provide financial support to authors, playwrights, poets, spoken word artists, and literary collectives to develop original literary works for publication, performance, or digital presentation.

The programme encourages the creation of high-quality literary works while supporting professional literary careers and promoting contemporary literature connected to Switzerland.

Program Overview

Programme Name: Literary Creation Grants
Programme Type: Literary creation and writing grant
Maximum Grant: Up to CHF 25,000
Eligible Applicants: Individual authors and literary collectives
Country Focus: Switzerland
Primary Objective: Support the creation of new literary works for publication or performance

Funding Amount

Funding varies depending on the type of literary project.

Writing Projects

Up to CHF 25,000

Theatre Texts

Up to CHF 18,000

Performative Literary Projects

Up to CHF 15,000

The grant amount is determined according to the project’s format, scope, and development requirements.

Programme Objectives

The Literary Creation Grants aim to:

Support the creation of new literary works.
Encourage artistic and literary innovation.
Promote professional literary careers.
Strengthen Switzerland’s contemporary literary landscape.
Support publication and public performance.
Encourage diverse literary genres and formats.
Ensure fair working conditions for literary professionals.

The programme enables writers to dedicate time and resources to developing original literary projects.

Supported Literary Genres

Funding is available for projects in:

Fiction
Children’s literature
Youth literature
Poetry
Drama
Spoken word
Digital literary formats

Projects should demonstrate originality, artistic quality, and professional potential.

Who is Eligible?

Authors

Applicants must have:

Published at least one independent literary work with a professionally structured publishing house.

Playwrights

Applicants must have:

Had at least one original, stage-ready theatre text premiered at a recognised venue.

Spoken Word Artists

Applicants must demonstrate:

Previous professional spoken word performances.
National-level recognition through their performances.

Literary Collectives

Groups and collaborative literary teams may also apply where appropriate.

Project Requirements

Eligible projects must:

Have a clear connection to Switzerland.
Be of nationwide importance.
Receive adequate co-funding from public or private sources.
Guarantee fair working conditions.
Be intended for publication, performance, or presentation.

Projects should demonstrate strong artistic value and professional relevance.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must submit:

Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Bibliography
Project description (maximum 4,000 characters)
Required project materials based on the project category

Applications should clearly explain the project’s artistic vision, objectives, and planned outcomes.

Required Project Materials by Genre

Different literary formats require different supporting materials.

Fiction

Applicants must submit:

20 pages of the planned manuscript

Playwriting

Applicants must submit:

15 pages of the planned theatre text

Poetry

Applicants must submit:

15 poems

Illustrated Literary Projects

Applicants must submit:

4 to 8 illustration plates
A meaningful text excerpt

Spoken Word

Applicants must submit:

5 pages of written material
Audio and/or video recordings of performances

Providing complete and high-quality supporting materials is essential for evaluation.

Assessment Criteria

Applications are generally assessed based on:

Literary quality.
Artistic originality.
Professional experience.
Project feasibility.
National significance.
Connection to Switzerland.
Fair remuneration.
Availability of co-funding.
Overall project potential.

Projects that demonstrate strong creative vision and professional execution are particularly competitive.

What Makes a Strong Application?

Successful applications typically include:

A compelling literary concept.
High-quality writing samples.
A well-developed project description.
Clear publication or performance goals.
Professional literary experience.
Strong artistic originality.
Realistic development plans.
Appropriate supporting materials.

Applications should clearly explain why the project deserves funding and how it contributes to contemporary literature.

How to Apply

Follow these steps when preparing your application.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Ensure you meet the professional publication or performance requirements for your literary category.

Step 2: Prepare Your Literary Project

Develop a detailed project describing:

Creative concept.
Literary objectives.
Intended audience.
Publication or performance plans.
Expected outcomes.

Step 3: Compile Supporting Materials

Prepare the required project materials according to your genre, including manuscripts, poems, illustrations, or audio/video files.

Step 4: Prepare Required Documents

Gather:

CV
Bibliography
Project description
Supporting literary materials

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Complete the application and submit all required documentation according to the programme guidelines.

Why These Grants Matter

Creating high-quality literature requires significant time, research, and creative focus.

The Literary Creation Grants help writers:

Develop original literary works.
Advance professional literary careers.
Produce innovative publications and performances.
Strengthen Switzerland’s literary sector.
Reach wider audiences.
Encourage artistic experimentation.
Support fair compensation for literary creators.

The programme contributes to a vibrant and diverse literary culture.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Submitting incomplete writing samples.
Providing weak project descriptions.
Ignoring format-specific submission requirements.
Failing to demonstrate professional experience.
Omitting required supporting documents.
Presenting unrealistic project plans.
Not explaining the project’s national significance.

Carefully prepared applications with complete documentation are more likely to succeed.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Application

To improve your application:

Present a clear and original literary vision.
Submit polished writing samples.
Explain the significance of your project.
Demonstrate your professional literary experience.
Follow all format-specific submission requirements.
Highlight your publication or performance plans.
Show how the project contributes to contemporary literature in Switzerland.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the Literary Creation Grants?

Professional authors, playwrights, spoken word artists, and literary collectives connected to Switzerland may apply if they meet the publication or performance requirements.

How much funding is available?

Funding is available up to CHF 25,000 for writing projects, CHF 18,000 for theatre texts, and CHF 15,000 for performative literary projects.

Which literary genres are eligible?

The programme supports fiction, children’s and youth literature, poetry, drama, spoken word, and digital literary formats.

What supporting materials are required?

Requirements vary by genre. Applicants must submit writing samples such as manuscript pages, poems, theatre texts, illustrations, or spoken word recordings depending on the project type.

Can literary collectives apply?

Yes. Both individual writers and literary collectives are eligible to apply.

Is co-funding required?

Yes. Projects should demonstrate appropriate financial support from public or private funding sources in addition to the requested grant.

What makes a competitive application?

Strong applications combine literary excellence, professional experience, clear artistic objectives, complete supporting materials, realistic project planning, and a meaningful contribution to Switzerland’s contemporary literary landscape.

Conclusion

The Literary Creation Grants provide significant support for professional writers, playwrights, poets, spoken word artists, and literary collectives developing original literary works in Switzerland. With grants of up to CHF 25,000, the programme enables creators to dedicate time and resources to producing high-quality literature while strengthening the country’s contemporary literary scene through publication, performance, and artistic innovation.