Our grants help writers who are unable to afford our full course fees.
We offer two types of grants – Low Income Grant and Teachers Grant. If you couldn’t attend an Arvon week without some financial help, we encourage you to apply. You can apply for any amount up to the full course fee, although most receive between £200 and £500. Last year we were able to help more than 90% of all writers who applied.
LOW INCOME GRANT
If you are a UK resident and cannot afford the full course fee, we encourage you to apply for one of our grants, which are awarded on the basis of financial need – not writing ability.
Priority is given to those coming to Arvon for the first time. You may apply for any amount up to the full course fee. To help us support as many people as possible, please apply only if you’d be unable to attend the course without a grant, and ask for the minimum amount you need. The average grant we awarded in 2019 was £400.
To apply for a grant, you must first book on a course, and then send us your completed grant application form. We will hold a place for you while we assess your application. You do not need to pay anything to book your place. Payment will only be required when we confirm if your grant application was successful.
Grants are only available for those booking a course with tutors, not our untutored retreats. We encourage applications from D/deaf and/or Disabled people, and factor in any additional living/support costs when considering your grant – see here for information about accessibility on Arvon courses. See here for details of our grant fund terms and conditions.
GRANTS FOR TEACHERS
Arvon supports the professional development of practising teachers, who may apply for a special fixed grant of £200 towards a course fee. You will need to send evidence that you are a practising teacher at a UK primary or secondary school, or further education college. Teachers’ Grants are limited in number and can be applied for in addition to the usual grant if further financial assistance is needed.
HOW TO APPLY:
- Download our information and application packs via the attachments provided above, or contact us to send you a copy of both. Read through each for full details of the application procedure and the application form.
- Reserve a place on your chosen course, either online or by phoning the centre hosting your course please indicate that you wish to apply for a grant. You do not need to pay a deposit at this stage. Your place will be held while we await your application form.
- Complete the application form and send it with your supporting documents by email or post to your chosen centre within seven days.
- Once we’ve assessed your application, we’ll contact you with a decision and finalise your booking. If you have any questions, please contact the centre directly.
If you would like more information about our grant scheme, or help with the application, call us on 020 7324 2554 or email national@arvon.org.
Eligibility: You must be resident in the UK and able to demonstrate that you do not have the financial means to cover the full cost of an Arvon course.
Alternative sources of funding
- If you’re on certain state benefits or aged 18-25 you’ll be eligible for our Late Availability Concession Pricing. Selected courses will be half-price.
- The Society of Authors administers a number of grants for writers
- Royal Literary Fund’s for commercially published writers with works in the UK aimed at a general readership
- Ideal for the short story writer or poet, the Scottish Book Trust aims at supporting new writers
- With some funding coming from partners it’s worth having a look at Creative Scotland
- Royal Society of Literature Brookleaze Grants supporting writers from novelists, playwrights, poets, to short story writers who need time away from their normal lives
- Arts Council Grants – fund projects that are all about engaging people, aiding Artists and Art Organisations
- Developing your Creative Practice is a new development fund designed to support independent creative practitioners
- Franics W Reckitt Arts Trust Fund for playwrights supports residential stays by professional artists, writers, composers and others for short periods away from home for holidays, convalescence or quiet working time
- Peggy Ramsay Foundation gives money to theatre writers in order to afford them the time and the space to write
Support the Grant Fund
Grants are funded by generous donations from supporters and our fundraising work. Want to support the Arvon Grant Fund? Learn about how you can donate and keep Arvon #OpenToAll.
Late availability concession pricing
Aged 18-25 or receiving certain state benefits? You could qualify for our late availability concession pricing, giving you a half-price discount on selected courses.