Create Grants

ABOUT Create Grants

The Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund supports Australian creative writers and visual artists with grants to create new work.

Create Grants provide a living allowance for writers and visual artists at key stages of their career.

WHO CAN APPLY

• Creative writers who have published one full-length creative work in Australia can apply to write their second book in the following literary genres: fiction, poetry, children’s literature, young adult literature, picture book illustration, graphic novels, playwriting, literary non-fiction and writing for performance (plays only).
• Visual artists who have had three solo exhibitions in Australia can apply to create new work
• Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents
• Applicants must have acquitted any overdue Cultural Fund grants

For specific eligibility criteria please refer to the options below:

AMOUNT OF GRANT 

• $20,000
• Up to five grants will be awarded in 2026
• Projects should start after 1 August 2026

Creative writers   Visual artists  

HOW TO APPLY

• Submit applications by the closing date and time via the SmartyGrants online system
• Applicants may submit only one application per round
• Incomplete or late applications will not be considered

ASSESSMENT

• Applications are assessed by an independent panel of peers from the writing and visual arts sectors
• Peers will assess all applications for their literary or artistic merit. This includes:
  • Project description: Clear description and details of your planned work
  • One-page CV: List of publications, plays, or exhibitions
  • Samples of work: Samples from your proposed project/new work
  • Contracts or Letters of Interest/Intent: From Australian publishers, presenters, or galleries

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND GRANT OBLIGATIONS

• Successful applicants must submit an acquittal report on their funded activities within eight weeks of the completion of the project via the SmartyGrants online system

More information and contact

For further information, see our Frequently Asked Questions.

Please contact us before the application closing date if you’re unsure about your eligibility to apply for a Create Grant. Our email is culturalfund@copyright.com.au