Nonfiction Grant for Works-in-Progress

Intensely researched nonfiction books, written with an artful sensitivity to depth and nuance, have always been important in shaping the way we understand the world; today they are essential.

In recent decades many extraordinary writers have contributed crucial works extending the form. Since this grant was established in 2016, the Foundation is proud to have supported dozens of books that have joined their ranks: Sarah M. Broom's The Yellow House, George Packer's Our Man, Kristen Radtke's Seek You, Andrea Elliot's Invisible Child, Meghan O'Rourke's The Invisible Kingdom, Chloé Cooper Jones's Easy Beauty, Rachel Aviv's Strangers to Ourselves, Ilyon Woo's Master Slave Husband Wife, and Patricia Evangelista's Some People Need Killing, to name just a few examples.

Such projects require a wealth of time and resources. The path to a groundbreaking book is long and intensive, and the research process is unpredictable—even a generous advance from a supportive publisher may run out just as a writer unearths an essential piece of the story they are trying to tell, something transformative that leads to new questions.

Recognizing this challenge to the creation of such exemplary works of literature, the Whiting Nonfiction Grant for Works-in-Progress’s chief objective is to foster original, ambitious projects brought to the highest possible standard. 

Knowing that writers of color often face additional structural hurdles to securing institutional resources to support such projects, we particularly encourage applications from them.

Explore all previous grant winners here.

The application window for the 2026 Nonfiction Grant for Works-in-Progress has not yet opened. Please check our website for the most up-to-date information about the 2026 timeline as it becomes available. 

Whiting Nonfiction Grant for Works In-Progress

The deadline for applications is April 30, 2026. Writers must submit the materials listed below via the online application form by 11:59pm.

Link to Application

The 2026 Whiting Nonfiction Grant for Works-in-Progress of $40,000 will be awarded to ten writers completing a deeply researched and imaginatively composed book-length work of nonfiction for a general adult readership. The grant supports multiyear projects at a crucial mid-process stage, after substantial progress has been made but before the final work is complete, when additional support can meaningfully shape the final work. The program’s objective is to foster original, ambitious projects brought to the highest possible standard.

Whiting welcomes applications for works of history, cultural or political reportage, biography, memoir, science, philosophy, criticism, graphic nonfiction, and personal essays, among other categories. The work should be intended for a general, rather than academic, adult readership. Self-help titles, historical fiction, textbooks, books primarily for a scholarly audience, and books for young readers are not eligible.

Examples of the wide range of previous grantees can be found on the program's website. 

Projects must be under contract with a publisher in Canada, the UK, or the US by April 30, 2026, and a fully executed contract must be uploaded with the application. Contracts with self-publishing companies are not eligible.

Please note that we cannot offer any extensions for contracts that are not signed by both writer and publisher by the application deadline.

Projects will be evaluated by a panel of expert judges according to established review criteria. The application includes three written responses addressing the work, research design, and narrative approach.

If you have any questions about the eligibility of your project or the application process, please contact the Whiting Foundation awards-grants@whiting.org.

Link to Application

Writers must submit the materials listed below via the online application form by 11:59pm ET on Thursday, April 30, 2026. All materials, including letters of recommendation must be received by that deadline; incomplete applications will not be considered. The application form includes detailed instructions for each requested item.

  • The original proposal that led to the contract with your publisher.
  • Up to 15,000 words or approximately 50 double-spaced pages from your draft. Please submit full-length draft chapters, rather than short excerpts from across your book, to the extent the word count allows.
  • A statement of work yet to be completed.
  • A plan for use of funds.
  • Written responses to three prompts that relate to your project: detailing the work’s premise, its research methods and design, and its narrative approach.
  • A signed and dated contract (please note that to be eligible, books must be under contract with a Canadian, UK, or US publisher – unfortunately, we can make no exceptions to this requirement).
  • A current resume - recommended length 2-4 pages.
  • A list of grants, fellowships, or other funding received for the book.
  • A letter of support sent from your publisher to the Foundation is required. Two additional confidential letters of recommendation can also be submitted, however they are optional. Letters must be received by the Foundation before the April 30th deadline.

Each project under submission will be peer reviewed by a panel of judges, presided over by Whiting’s Resident Director, taking into consideration the submitted chapters (while understanding that they are reading a work in progress) alongside the written responses provided. The ten grantees will be selected in December 2026/January 2027 and announced soon after. 

If you have any questions about the eligibility of your project or the application process, please contact us at awards-grants@whiting.org.

Regardless of eligibility for this grant, Whiting encourages nonfiction writers at all stages of the writing process to consult the Poets & Writers’ Writing Contests, Grants & Awards database for other opportunities for support.

Nonfiction authors with books under contract with a publisher might also consider applying to the J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Awards.

Tax-exempt publishers can apply for a FURTHERMORE Grant to support publication of nonfiction books that concern the arts, history, and the natural and built environment. 

A few opportunities open to nonfiction writers not under contract with a publisher include: