Please note the deadline has been extended to Thursday 20 February, 17:30.

Purpose of the award

The objective of the English Language Literature Bursary Award is to enable professional writers, comic book artists and children’s picture book makers (working mainly through the English language) to spend more time on their creative work.

The award seeks to provide writers and picture book artists with the time and resources to think, research, reflect, create and write. It enables writers and picture book artists to concentrate on their creative work for a period of time, usually by releasing them from their financial commitments.

At both shortlisting and panel stage, emphasis is placed on the track record of the applicant, as demonstrated in the application form and CV. Promise and potential, as demonstrated in the application form and writing sample, are also considered.

Information Clinic

In advance of the first Bursary deadline of 2025, the Arts Council’s Literature Team (English language literature) held an information clinic, outlining the purpose and priorities of the award, how to make an application, and how applications are assessed.

Access Supports

If you have a disability and would like help applying, contact our Access Officer as early as possible before the deadline.

Phone:      

• 01 618 0200
• 01 618 0243

Email: access@artscouncil.ie

You will be able to apply for additional costs if you have access needs relating to your application.

Note: applications will only be accepted through the Arts Council’s Online Services site. If you have not used Online Services before you must register for a login to be able to apply for funding. It is important that you register as early as possible as it may take up to five working days for your registration to be processed.