Blanket Justification for Arts Endowment Funding Application Guidelines and Requirements for Individuals

Literature Fellowships

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS
APPLICATION GUIDELINES

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CFDA No. 45.024

OMB No. 3135-0112 Expires TBD

Application Calendar
Category

Application
Deadline

Literature
Fellowships:
Poetry
2021

March 11, 2020

Earliest Announcement of Grant
Award or Rejection

Earliest Beginning Date
for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of
Performance

December 2020

January 1,

Applicants are required to use Grants.gov. See "How to Prepare and Submit an
Application” for further information.
Late applications will not be accepted.
In the event of a major emergency (e.g., a hurricane or Grants.gov
technological failure), the National Endowment for the Arts Chairman may
adjust application deadlines for affected applicants. If a deadline is
extended for any reason, an announcement will be posted on our website.
Do not seek information on the status of your application before the
announcement date that is listed above.
If you have questions:
Email: [email protected]
Call:

202-682-5034

202-682-5082 Voice/T.T.Y. (Text-Telephone, a device for individuals who
are deaf or hard-of-hearing)

Individuals who do not use conventional print may access these
guidelines on the website or contact the Accessibility Office at 202-6825532 for help in acquiring an audio recording of these guidelines.

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Grant Program Description
The National Endowment for the Arts Literature Fellowships program offers $25,000
grants in prose (fiction and creative nonfiction) and poetry to published creative writers
that enable recipients to set aside time for writing, research, travel, and general career
advancement. Applications are reviewed through an anonymous process in which the
only criteria for review are the artistic excellence and artistic merit of the submitted
manuscript. To review the applications, the National Endowment for the Arts assembles
a different advisory panel every year, each diverse with regard to geography, race and
ethnicity, sex/gender, and artistic points of view.
The National Endowment for the Arts Literature Fellowships program operates on a
two-year cycle with fellowships in prose and poetry available in alternating years. For
FY 2021, which is covered by these guidelines, fellowships in poetry are available.
Fellowships in prose (fiction and creative nonfiction) will be offered in FY 2022 and
guidelines will be available in January 2021. You may apply only once each year.
Competition for fellowships is extremely rigorous. We typically receive more than 1,500
applications each year in this category and award fellowships to fewer than 3% of
applicants. You should consider carefully whether your work will be competitive at the
national level.
We Do Not Fund
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Individuals who previously have received two or more Literature Fellowships (in
poetry or prose) or Translation Fellowships from the National Endowment for the
Arts.
Individuals who have received any Literature Fellowship (in poetry or prose) or
Translation Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts on or after October
1, 2011.
News reporting.
Scholarly writing. (Writers who are engaged in scholarly work may wish to contact
the National Endowment for the Humanities.)
Work toward academic degrees.

Deadline and Announcement Dates
Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov, the federal
government’s online application system. The Grants.gov system must receive your
validated and accepted application no later than 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on March
11, 2020. Late applications are not accepted.
Do not expect notification of awards and rejections before December 2020. Our support
of a project may begin any time between January 1, 2021, and January 1, 2022, and
extend for up to two years.
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SIDEBAR
Application Calendar
Grant Program Description
Award Information
Applicant Eligibility
How to Prepare and Submit an Application
 Step 1: Register with Grants.gov
 Step 2: Go to the grant opportunity package
 Step 3: Follow the application instructions
 Step 4: Submit your application through Grants.gov
Need Help?
Application Review
Award Administration
Other Information
How to Apply Tutorial
Award Information
Grant Amount
Fellowships are for $25,000.
Applicant Eligibility
Creative writers who meet the requirements listed below are eligible to apply. See "How
to Prepare and Submit an Application" for the documentation that is required to
demonstrate eligibility. Ineligible applications will be rejected without panel review. You
may submit only one application for FY 2021 funding.
You may not apply for both a Literature Fellowship under this deadline and a
Translation Project under the January 15, 2020 deadline.
You are eligible to apply in Poetry if you:
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•

•
•

Are a Citizen or Permanent Resident of the United States.
Have not received two or more Fellowships (in poetry, prose, or translation) from
the National Endowment for the Arts. If you have received any award from the
National Endowment for the Arts, you must have submitted acceptable Final
Reports to the Arts Endowment by their due date(s).
Have not received any National Endowment for the Arts Literature Fellowship (in
poetry or prose) or Translation Fellowship on or after January 1, 2012 (FY 2012).
Have had published, between January 1, 2013, and March 11, 2020:
o A Volume of 48 or more pages of poetry; or

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o 20 or more individual poems or pages of poetry that appear in at least five
literary journals, anthologies, or publications which regularly include poetry
as a portion of their format. Up to 16 pages of poetry may be from a single
volume of poetry that is fewer than 48 pages (e.g. a chapbook). This
volume may count as only one of the required five places of publication.
For online publications, a page of poetry is considered to be 20 lines or
less.
To qualify, work must have been published for the first time with an eligible publisher
between these dates, not only reprinted or reissued in another format during this period.
You may use digital, audio, or online publications to establish eligibility, provided that
the publisher has a competitive selection process and stated editorial policy. If the
online publication or website no longer exists, you must provide, upon request,
sufficient evidence that your work once appeared online. If sufficient evidence cannot
be provided, the online publication will not be eligible.
The following may not be used to establish eligibility:
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•
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•
•
•
•
•
•

Pre-publication material, such as galleys, proofs, and advance reader's copies.
Work that has appeared in a publication for which you are the editor, publisher, or
staff.
Collaborative work.
Scholarly writing.
Instructional writing.
News Reporting.
Book reviews.
Editorials/letters to the editor.
Interviews.
Student-led publications and publications that primarily print work by persons who
are affiliated with a particular academic institution.
Any publication by presses that: do not have a stated marketing and distribution
policy; publish work without competitive selection or a stated editorial policy; or
publish work without professional editing.

Your application will not be eligible if incorrect or insufficient publication information is
provided in Attachment 3. See "How to Prepare and Submit an Application."

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How to Prepare and Submit an Application
Application Deadline: March 11, 2020
We strongly recommend that you submit your application no later than March 2, 2020 to
give yourself ample time to resolve any problems you might encounter. The Grants.gov
system must receive your validated and accepted application no later than 11:59 p.m.,
Eastern Time, on March 11, 2020. You take a significant risk by waiting until the day of
the deadline to submit. The National Endowment for the Arts will not accept late
applications.
These application guidelines provide all of the information that you need to submit an
application. We urge you to read these instructions in their entirety before you begin the
application process. Keep these instructions open in a window on your computer as
they contain helpful links to information that you will need as you complete your
application.
Electronic application through Grants.gov is MANDATORY.
If you are unable to submit your application electronically, you may request a waiver. A
waiver will be granted for the following reasons only:
•
•

Internet access is not available within a 30-mile radius of your address.
Disability prevents you from submitting your application electronically.

Your waiver request must be in writing and must be received at the National
Endowment for the Arts at least three weeks before the application deadline. Click here
for more information on waivers.
To Apply:
Step 1: Register with Grants.gov LINK
Step 2: Go to the grant opportunity package LINK
Step 3: Follow the application instructions LINK
Step 4: Submit your electronic application LINK
WAIVER POP UP BOX:
Requesting a waiver: Literature Fellowships
If you are unable to submit your application electronically, you may request a waiver. A
waiver will be granted for the following reasons only:

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•

Internet access is not available within a 30-mile radius of your address.

•

Disability prevents you from submitting your application electronically.

Your waiver request must be in writing and addressed to the Senior Advisor for
Programs and Partnerships, Attention: Grants.gov Waiver Request, National
Endowment for the Arts. The request must be received 202-at least three weeks before
the application deadline, or no later than 5:30 p.m., Eastern Time, on February 19,
2020.
If you do not have internet access within a 30-mile radius of your address, you must fax
your request to 202-682-5002.
If a disability prevents you from submitting your application electronically, you may send
us your waiver request by fax to 202-682-5002 or by email to [email protected].
You may also contact our Office for Accesibility at 202-682-5532 Voice or 202-6825496 T.T.Y. for more information.
In the event a waiver is granted, your complete paper application package must be
received by the Arts Endowment no later than March 11, 2020. The waiver notice will
provide you with our mailing address.
Step 1: Register with Grants.gov
It is your responsibility to create and maintain a registration with Grants.gov.
Registration with Grants.gov is a one-time process, which can take a day or more to
complete. To allow time to resolve any issues that may arise, do not wait until the day of
the application deadline to register. Failure to successfully register with Grants.gov may
result in your inability to submit your application.
To register with Grants.gov, click: Register and click the red button that says “Get
Registered Now” at the bottom of the screen. Next, fill out the contact information,
choose a Username and Password, and then click “Continue” at the bottom of the
screen. Grants.gov will email you a temporary code to verify your email address. Enter
this code where instructed on the Registration page and select “Add Individual
Applicant Profile” to apply for funding opportunities on your own behalf. See here for
additional information on creating an individual profile.
If you have problems with registration contact Grants.gov at 1-800-518-4726, email
[email protected], or consult the information posted on the Grants.gov website at
Support. The Grants.gov Contact Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Maintain documentation (with dates) of your efforts to register before the deadline.

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Step 2: Go to the Grant Opportunity Package
1. Verify your software.
You must have a version of Adobe Reader that is supported by Grants.gov installed
on your computer. Incompatible versions of Adobe Reader or other Adobe products
will lead to errors and prevent you from submitting your application. If more than one
computer will be involved in the preparation of the application package, ensure that
the same version of Adobe Reader is used on each computer.
Go to "Adobe Software Compatibility" to see the compatible versions of Adobe
Reader or to download and install Adobe Reader. See important information about
versions of Adobe Reader DC here.
2. Access the application package on Grants.gov by clicking on the link below.
GO TO GRANT OPPORTUNITY PACKAGE
[Funding Opportunity Number: 2020NEA03LFCW]
When you go to Grants.gov through the link above, the Grants.gov “View Grant
Opportunity” screen will open. Choose “Apply.” On the next screen, choose “Apply”
again. You will be prompted to enter your Grants.gov Username and Password.
You will apply using a Grants.gov Workspace. If you want to learn more about using
Grants.gov’s Workspace, click here. Look for the “Application Filing Name” field
above the “Create Workspace” button. Enter your legal name here, click the “Create
Workspace” button, and follow the screens from there.
4. After going to the grant opportunity package and creating a Workspace, you can
access each mandatory form by clicking Download OR you can access the forms
online by clicking Webform.
The forms are:
•

Application for Federal Domestic Assistance - Individual Form

•

Attachments Form

5. Complete the application based on the Application Instructions (Step 3).

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Step 3: Follow the Application Instructions
A complete application consists of:
•

Application for Federal Domestic Assistance – Individual
Form

•

Attachments Form to which you have attached:
o

Manuscript material: 7-10 pages of sample work

o

Summary of applicant publications

Applications that are determined to be incomplete will be rejected
without panel review.
1: Fill out the Application for Federal Domestic Assistance - Individual Form
NOTE: All asterisked (*) items and yellow fields on this form are required and must be
completed before you will be able to submit the form. Do not type in all capital letters
when completing the form. Enter information directly into the form. Do not copy from an
old application package or another document and paste into the form.
1. Name of Federal Agency: Pre-populated.
2. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: Pre-populated.
3. Date Received: This will be filled automatically with the date that you submit your
application; leave blank.
4. Funding Opportunity Number: Pre-populated.
5. Applicant Information:
a. Name and Contact Information:
Applicants using pen names must list their legal name here. All transactions with the
National Endowment for the Arts must be made using the legal name. Be sure to enter
your email address (award notifications will be sent via email). Contact information
must be valid through December 2020. You must notify us of any changes.
Due to restrictions from the Department of Homeland Security we are not able to send
emails to alias addresses that forward to another email account. Do not enter this type
of email address.
b. Address:
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Enter information for your permanent address. Information must be valid through
December 2020.
Use Street 1 for your street address or post office box number, whichever is used for
your U.S. Postal Service mailing address. Street 2 is not a required field and should be
used only when a Suite or Room Number or other similar information is part of your
address. Do not use Street 2 to provide a second address.
In the Zip/Postal Code box, enter the full 9-digit zip code (00000-0000) that was
assigned by the U.S. Postal Service. If you do not know your full zip code, you may look
it up at: http://www.usps.com/zip4/
c. Citizenship Status:
If you are a permanent resident of the United States, provide your Alien Registration
Number.
d. Congressional District of Applicant: Enter the Congressional District that corresponds
with your permanent address using the following format: 2 character State Abbreviation3 character District Number. For example, if you live in the 5th Congressional District of
California, enter "CA-005." If your state has a single At-Large Representative or your
territory has a single Delegate, enter your 2 character state/territory abbreviation and "000." If you are an American citizen or a permanent resident residing outside the United
States, use "00-000" for your Congressional District. If you need help determining your
district, visit the House of Representatives website at http://www.house.gov/ and use
the "Find Your Representative" tool.
6. Project Information:
a. Project Title: Enter a project title that matches what appears on the first page of your
7-10 page manuscript. This may be the title of your complete piece, your first piece if
the manuscript includes multiple pieces, or what appears in the top right corner of your
manuscript if the piece is an excerpt. Do not include your first or last name in your
project title.
b. Project Description: In two or three sentences, briefly describe how you see your
work being advanced by this fellowship. This may include writing, research, travel, etc.
List the title(s) of the work(s) you are submitting. (Note: Our staff will see the project
description, but the panelists will not. Our panelists will only review the submitted
manuscripts.)
c. Proposed Project Start Date/End Date: Enter your preferred beginning and ending
dates. The start date should be the first day of the month, and the end date should be
the last day of the month. The beginning date must fall between January 1, 2021, and
January 1, 2022, and the period of performance may extend up to two years from the
start date. See the “Need Help” section for more information.

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7. Signature Block:
By clicking the "I Agree" box, you are certifying that your application is true and correct
to the best of your knowledge and that you are in compliance with relevant federal
requirements that can be found in the Assurance of Compliance section of these
guidelines. The "Signature" and "Date Signed" boxes will be populated by Grants.gov
upon submission of the application.
2: Complete and Attach Required Items to the Attachments Form
The "Attachments Form" is not a form in the conventional sense. Rather, it is a place to
attach documents that you have completed and saved elsewhere on your computer.
1. Attachments 1 and 2 are documents that you will develop in accordance with the
instructions provided. These items must be submitted as PDF files.
These non-form documents can be created using any word processing software.
When you have completed the document, save it to your computer as a PDF before
attaching.
Do not create PDFs of your electronic documents by scanning. In the past, some
applicants have printed their electronic documents and then scanned them, saving
the scan in PDF format. PDFs created this way are much larger, and of lower
quality, than PDFs created by the methods we recommend above. Do not embed
non-printable media files (video and/or sound) in your PDF documents. Static
images (e.g., pictures) are acceptable. Do not enable any document security
settings or password-protect any PDF file you submit to us.
Each attachment should be no more than 2 MB.
2. Label the first page of each document clearly with the name of the item (e.g.,
Summary of Applicant Publications). Leave a margin of at least one inch at the top,
bottom, and sides of all pages. Do not reduce type below 12 point font size. Do not
type in all capital letters. Number pages sequentially. Excess pages will be removed
and not reviewed.
3. Name your files as indicated below and attach them in the proper order. Limit file
names to 50 or fewer characters and use only the following characters when naming
your attachments: A-Z, a-z, 0-9, underscore (_), hyphen (-), space, and period. If
you do not follow this rule, your application may be rejected. You cannot change the
name of a file on the Attachments Form. Therefore make certain that each file is
named correctly before you attach it.
When you open the Grants.gov Attachments Form, you will find 15 attachment buttons.
For this application, you will only use the first two attachment buttons. By clicking on a
button, you will be able to choose the PDF file from your computer that you wish to
attach. Attach the proper file to the proper button as listed below.
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The Attachments
ATTACHMENT 1: MANUSCRIPT SAMPLE
To this button, attach one copy of your manuscript sample. The file name should be
your last name followed by "Manuscript" (for example: Doe_Manuscript).
Your manuscript sample must be a minimum of 7 to a maximum of 10 typescript pages
of poetry.
Applicants may submit one or more poems as their manuscript, but the total cannot
exceed 10 pages. If submitting multiple poems, combine them all into one PDF.
Your manuscript sample must be:
1. From work that you have written in the time period that establishes your
eligibility, and for which you have sole artistic responsibility. You may submit
published work, unpublished work, or work in progress. Do not indicate whether
or not the material has been published.
2. Completely free of your first name, last name, initials, address, or any other
marks that could identify you. If your first or last name appears in your
manuscript or in your header, your application will be deemed ineligible. (For
example, if your name is John Doe, neither John nor Doe may appear anywhere
in your manuscript.)
3. Labeled to indicate title of the sample. At the top of every page, include the page
number in the upper right corner and state the title of the manuscript.
4. In typescript and clearly readable. Use a 12 point font and margins of at least
one inch at the top, bottom, and sides of all pages. Do not submit more than the
maximum number of pages that are allowed; excess pages will be removed and
not reviewed. Click here for an example of how to format.
Remember to save your manuscript as a PDF in line with the guidance above (Step 2:
Complete and Attach Required Items to the Attachments Form). Do not create PDFs of
your electronic documents by scanning.
ATTACHMENT 2: SUMMARY OF APPLICANT PUBLICATIONS
To this button, attach a Summary of Applicant Publications to establish your eligibility
(document must be no more than 2 MB). The file name should be your last name
followed by "SummaryPubs" (for example: Doe_SummaryPubs).

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At the top of this page, list your legal name, your penname (if applicable), and your
email address. Your name, initials, address, or other identifying marks must not appear
on any other page of the manuscript material that is submitted.
List only the specific published works that establish your eligibility, not everything you
have published (e.g., no resumes). (See Eligibility for details.) We collect this
information only to verify eligibility; it is not provided to our reviewers.
For each publication note:
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•
•
•
•
•

Title, author.
Publisher (including name of magazine or press with physical address, and web
address).
Publication date (month and year, or volume/issue).
ISBN or ISSN number, for a book in print.
Number of pages of your material. (If your work appears in an anthology, this
refers to your work within the collection, not the full book.)
Page number(s) or an exact URL to your work if published online. If archived
online, provide the exact URL of the archived piece.

Your Summary of Applicant Publications should be formatted as follows:
Book
Title/Author: A Walk in the City/ John Doe
Publisher: University Press, 1234 Main St., Springfield, IL, www.up.edu
Publication Date: 12/2009
ISBN or ISSN: 000-0-00-000000-0
# of pages: 230
URL: n/a
Journal/Magazine
Title/Author: “Hidden Moon”/ Jane Doe
Publisher: Violet Journal, 44 Spring St., Mesa, AZ, www.violetjournal.org
Publication Date/ Volume-Issue: 10/2009/Vol. 32 Issue 4 (Fall)
ISBN or ISSN: 000-0-00-000000-0
# of pages: 5
Page # or URL: www.violetjournal.org/32-52/doe
Anthology
Title of Your Work/Author: “Hidden Moon”/ Jane Doe
Anthology Title/Editor: Time Spent (Poems About Grantwriting), edited by M.
Fed/Jill Deer
Publisher: Small Press, 6868 Elm St., Nashville, TN, www.smallpress.org
Publication Date: 06/2010
ISBN or ISSN: 000-0-00-000000-0
# of pages: 14
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Upon request, you must provide proof of eligibility to the National Endowment for the
Arts in the form of one or more of the following ways:
a. The title page or cover with your name and the title of the work.
b. The copyright page with the publisher's information; publication date (month and
year); ISBN or ISSN number, if a print publication; or exact URL that features
your work, if publication is online only.
c. The publication's stated selection criteria and editorial policy.
NOTE: When you check the Certification box on the SF 424-Individual form, you are
certifying that all parts of your application, including your summary of the publications
that establish your eligibility, are true and correct to the best of your knowledge.
Leave all remaining Attachment buttons blank.
Step 5: Submit Your Electronic Application to Grants.gov
Electronically submit the Application for Federal Domestic Assistance – Individual Form
and required attachments through Grants.gov.
1. Check the size of your electronic application. The total size should not exceed 10
MB.
2. To begin the submission process, log on to Grants.gov and go to the Forms tab on
the Manage My Workspace page. Click the “Sign and Submit” button, under the
Forms tab. Be certain that you are satisfied with your application before you
click this button. No revisions to your application are possible through
Grants.gov once it is submitted.
If you have difficulty submitting, go to Adobe Reader Error Messages or Applicant
Resources for several tools and documents to help you.
3. Once you complete and submit your application, you will see a confirmation screen
explaining that your submission is being processed. Retain the Grants.gov Tracking
Number that you receive in the application submission confirmation screen.
4. To ensure that your application was validated and accepted by the Grants.gov
system, go to Track My Application to track the validation and progress of your
application submission through Grants.gov. After we retrieve your application from
Grants.gov, you will be able to log in to Grants.gov to receive your Agency Tracking
Number (this will be the National Endowment for the Arts-assigned application
number).
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NOTE: Acceptance and validation by Grants.gov does not guarantee that the
applicant has uploaded the proper attachments. Before submitting your application,
double check that you have attached everything correctly.
Additional Help
For additional help on how to use Grants.gov, see the Grants.gov website at Support.
You also can send email to the Grants.gov Contact Center at [email protected] or
call them at 1-800-518-4726 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For specific help on how to complete your application, review the instructions in these
guidelines. For help on all other issues, email [email protected].
NEED HELP?
We have fielded many questions over the years and trust that we can help you
troubleshoot any problems you encounter. We are at your service.
Browse the answers below before you contact our staff.
Also, determine if your question is best addressed to the National Endowment for the
Arts or Grants.gov. Grants.gov is a conduit for applying; it is a separate entity from the
National Endowment for the Arts. Though we include some tips here on navigating
Grants.gov, most questions about registration and uploading your application should be
directed to Grants.gov.
Contact Grants.gov for help with:
• Registration problems
• Your registration status
• Verifying and/or updating your registration information
• Technology related problems including:
o Web browser issues
o Questions about Adobe Reader
o Problems uploading your application to Grants.gov
The Grants.gov Contact Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800518-4726 or [email protected]. The website is www.grants.gov.
Contact the National Endowment for the Arts for help with:
• Eligibility questions
• Specific components of your application
• The poetry fellowship guidelines

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If, after looking over our guidelines and the answers in this section, you'd still like to
speak to a staff member, call our Literature Fellowships Hotline at 202-682-5034 or
email us at [email protected].
THE APPLICATION PACKAGE
Why can't I download the application materials?
It could be because your version of Adobe Reader is incompatible with the Grants.gov
system. You can find a list of supported versions of Adobe Reader here, or contact
Grants.gov directly to check if your version is compatible. You can also try using the
Webforms, which allow you to complete the forms online without downloading and do
not require you to have Adobe Reader.
Which internet browser should I use to file my application?
According to Grants.gov, Internet Explorer is the recommended browser. However,
we've found that other browsers will work, too. Mac users who have download and/or
upload issues should try using Google Chrome or Firefox. If you have trouble
downloading the application forms, try using a different browser or try using the
Webforms instead. If you are still having trouble accessing the forms, contact the
Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726.
Why can't I find the attachments on your website?
You'll only find the attachments form on Grants.gov. Although the attachments form has
15 attachment buttons, you will submit only two attachments with your application:
1. Your manuscript
2. Your Summary of Applicant Publications
You can create these attachments using any word processing software.
The information I typed into my attachments form disappeared. How do I avoid
this?
If you are downloading the attachments form, be sure to save it, and all your
attachments, directly on your computer. Once you have downloaded the attachments
form, you will work on your application offline and will only access the Internet to submit
your completed application. If you are accessing the attachments form as a Webform,
be sure to click the “save” button at the bottom of the screen before closing the form.
How do I upload my writing sample using the attachment form?
It's similar to attaching a document to an email. On the attachments form, click the “Add
Attachment” button and select the correct file from your computer. [Reminder: you're
the only one who can ensure that your application is complete.]
The character limit for the project description box on the Application for Federal
Assistance form doesn't give a lot of room to describe my project. Can I add more
information elsewhere?
That's not necessary. If you've reached the character limit for this box, you've written
too much. This information is for staff use only to ensure that you would use your
fellowship to support your writing; the review panel will not see it (the panelists will only
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see your manuscript). Your application will be judged only on your manuscript, so we
suggest spending more time on that portion of your application and less time on crafting
your project description.
How do I determine start and end dates?
The start and end dates refer to the period of National Endowment for the Arts grant
performance. These dates are not project specific. Because the creative writing
fellowships are not project based, fellows are not required to begin and complete a
project during their period of performance.
Can I submit my resume in addition to my other forms?
No. The only part of the application that the review panel will see is your manuscript.
The panel will not know your age, gender, race or ethnicity, education level, or whether
you are an established or emerging writer.
How do I determine my congressional district? What if I'm an American living
abroad?
Visit the House of Representatives website at www.house.gov and use the "Find Your
Representative" tool. If the address on your application is outside the United States,
enter 00-000 for your Congressional District.
My postal code is in red after I type it. Does this mean there's a problem?
Yes. The form requires your Zip+4. If you do not know your full zip code, you may look it
up at www.usps.com/zip4/.
What happens if my name appears on or in my manuscript material?
Your application will be ineligible for further consideration and will not be reviewed by
the panel. Double check to make sure your first or last name is not in the manuscript
material.
Will I be able to update my application after the deadline?
No. No changes or additions to the application or manuscript will be accepted once your
application has been submitted. If you feel you've made an error on your application
and it is before the deadline, you may contact the Literary Arts staff for guidance by
calling or emailing the Literature Fellowships hotline.
How do I create a PDF?
The simplest way is to use the "Save As" option and choose "Save as a PDF" (or
similar wording) in your word processing software. You may also use a PDF conversion
program. To learn more, go to PDF Conversion Programs. LINK
ELIGIBILITY
Should I list everything I've published to show I'm eligible just in case there's a
question?

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No. If you can establish your eligibility with one book, just list that book. If you're unsure
if the book meets our eligibility requirements, list journal publications as well, but only as
many as you need to establish your eligibility. Our panelists will not see your
publications list.
I don't have all the information on all of my necessary publications to establish
eligibility. Is that a problem?
Yes. You must include the required information per our guidelines LINK, including
ISBN/ISSN numbers for books and journals. We will check your Summary of Applicant
Publication document as part of the eligibility screening process. If the Literary Arts staff
can't find one of the items on your list, we'll contact you for proof of publication. If you
can't provide that proof, that publication will not count toward your eligibility.
My book will be released soon after the fellowship application deadline. Can I use
it to establish my eligibility?
No. In order to apply, you must meet the eligibility requirements by the deadline date.
Reader's advance copies, galleys, uncorrected proofs, and commitments for future
publication or production do not fulfill the requirements. We use the publisher's official
publication date to determine eligibility. Check with your publisher if you have questions
about this date. No exceptions are made to the eligibility requirements. If your book will
be published after the deadline, use other publications to establish your eligibility or
consider applying at a later date.
I'm a prose writer. Can I apply for a poetry fellowship?
If you can establish your eligibility with the required number of published poetry pieces,
yes. Many writers publish in various genres. Though the manuscript you submit for
review must be poetry, you will not be limited to writing in one genre should you receive
a fellowship.
Can the National Endowment for the Arts help me get my book published?
No. The Fellowships Program is designed to help published creative writers set aside
time to write; there is no guarantee that it will lead to publication of a book. In order for
your manuscript to be reviewed by our panel, you must meet our eligibility
requirements.
I'm self-published. Am I eligible for a fellowship?
We do not accept as eligible any publication by presses that: do not have a stated
marketing and distribution policy; publish work without competitive selection or a stated
editorial policy; or publish work without professional editing. If you are unsure whether
or not your publication falls outside of these parameters, call the Literature Fellowships
Hotline for guidance.
I'm a blogger. Am I eligible for a fellowship?
In general, no. Personal blogs on individual websites may not be used to establish
eligibility. However, curated blogs may qualify. Contact the Literature Fellowships
Hotline if you feel your blog fits into this category.
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Do I have to submit my application in English?
An application must be submitted in English, but the manuscript may be in a language
other than English, as long as it is accompanied by an English translation, though the
translation need not be done by the applicant. If you wish to submit your manuscript in
a language other than English, contact the Literature Fellowships Hotline at least 10
days prior to the deadline for more guidance.
OTHER QUESTIONS
How will my application be evaluated?
Poetry applications are reviewed through an anonymous process by an advisory panel
of writers that recommends awards based on the artistic excellence and merit of the
submitted manuscript. The National Endowment for the Arts assembles a different
advisory panel every year, each diverse with regard to geography, race and ethnicity,
gender, and artistic points of view.
Will you accept joint applications?
No. Fellowships are individual grants.
I'm on faculty at a university. May the fellowship go directly to my university so
that I may buy time off from teaching?
No. Fellowships are individual awards; all funds are dispersed only to the fellow.
However, once our fellows receive funds, it is up to them how they wish to spend it (as
long as it relates to their writing). A fellow could pay his/her university directly, in other
words.
Which part of my application carries the most weight with the panel?
The most important piece of your application as far as judging is concerned is your
manuscript. It should be representative of your best recent work, published or
unpublished. It must be work for which you have sole artistic responsibility. Choose your
manuscript sample carefully.
Can plans for use of the fellowship change, within reason?
Yes. Read the General Terms and Conditions for Literature Fellowships LINK for more
information.
If you have questions about your application, contact the Literary Arts staff at 202-6825034 or email [email protected].

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Application Review
Review Criteria
In reviewing applications for Literature Fellowships, advisory panelists consider solely
the artistic excellence and artistic merit of the work that is submitted. The identity of
the applicant is not known to the panelists.
What Happens to Your Application
Applications are evaluated according to the review criteria above.
After processing by our staff, applications are reviewed, in closed session, by advisory
panelists in the literary arts field. Each literary arts panel comprises a diverse group of
arts experts and at least one knowledgeable layperson. Panel membership rotates
regularly. Panel recommendations are forwarded to the National Council on the Arts,
which then makes recommendations to the Chairman of the National Endowment for
the Arts. The Chairman reviews the Council’s recommendations and makes the final
decision on all grant awards. Applicants are then notified of funding decisions.

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Award Administration
Award Notices
Grant decisions for the Literature Fellowships: Poetry category are expected to be
announced by December 2020.
General Terms & Conditions
Federal and agency requirements that relate to grants awarded by the National
Endowment for the Arts are highlighted in our General Terms & Conditions. Included is
information on reporting requirements and lobbying prohibitions.
Tax Liability
The Internal Revenue Code provides that the full amount of a fellowship grant is taxable
to its recipient. If you have any questions about your own income tax liability, you
should contact the Internal Revenue Service or your tax counsel.
Assurance of Compliance
By signing the application form, the Applicant certifies that he or she is in
compliance with the statutes outlined below and all related National
Endowment for the Arts regulations and will maintain records and submit the
reports that are necessary to determine compliance.
1. Nondiscrimination Statutes
The Applicant certifies that he or she does not discriminate:
•

On the grounds of race, color, or national origin (including limited English
proficiency), in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as
amended (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.).

•

On the grounds of disability, in accordance with Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) and the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA") (42 U.S.C. 12101-12213). The ADA’s
requirements apply regardless of whether you receive federal funds.

•

On the basis of age, in accordance with the Age Discrimination Act of 1975
(42 U.S.C. 6101 et seq.).

•

On the basis of sex, in any education program or activity, in accordance with
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.).

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For further information and copies of the nondiscrimination regulations identified
above, contact the Office of Civil Rights at 202-682-5454 or 202-682-5082
Voice/T.T.Y. For inquiries about limited English proficiency, go to
http://www.lep.gov or contact the Office of General Counsel at
[email protected] or 202-682-5418.
2. Regulations relating to Debarment and Suspension (2 C.F.R. pt. 3254) in
which the Applicant certifies that he or she is not presently debarred, suspended,
proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from
participation in covered transactions by any federal department or agency, nor
has, within the three years preceding the submission of this application, been
convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against him or her for commission
of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with a public (federal, state, or local)
transaction or a contract under a public transaction; for violation of federal or
state antitrust statutes; for commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery,
falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, or receiving
stolen property; had any public transactions terminated for cause or default; or is
presently indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a governmental
entity with any of the preceding offenses.
3. Federal Debt Status (OMB Circular A-129). The applicant certifies that he or she is
not delinquent in the repayment of any federal debt, or if he or she is, provides
explanatory information. Examples of relevant debt include student loans, delinquent
payroll or other taxes, audit disallowances, and benefit overpayments.
4. Labor Standards (29 C.F.R. pt. 505). The applicant certifies that, if awarded a
grant, he or she will comply with the labor standards set out in Labor Standards on
Projects or Productions Assisted by Grants from the National Endowments for
the Arts and Humanities.
5. The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (41 U.S.C. 701 et seq. and 2 C.F.R.
3256).
The Applicant certifies that:
(a) If awarded a grant, he or she will not engage in the unlawful manufacture,
distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance in
conducting any grant activity. (For the purposes of this Act, alcohol is not
considered a controlled substance.)
(b) If convicted of a criminal drug offense that is the result of a violation occurring
during the conduct of any grant activity, he or she will report the conviction to the
Grants & Contracts Officer, in writing, within ten calendar days of the conviction.
This notice must include the grant number of each affected grant.

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Privacy Act
The following notice is furnished in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C.
552a:
This information is solicited under the authority of the National Foundation on the Arts
and the Humanities Act, 20 U.S.C. 951 et seq. and is used for the purpose of
application review. Personal data including home address and home telephone number
will not be released and is exempt from disclosure under FOIA exemption (b)(6).
Failure to provide the requested information could result in rejection of your application.
Standards for Service
The National Endowment for the Arts has set the following standards for serving
applicants. We pledge to:
•
•
•
•
•
•

Treat you with courtesy and efficiency.
Respond to inquiries and correspondence promptly.
Provide clear and accurate information about our policies and procedures.
Provide timely information about funding opportunities and make guidelines
available promptly.
Promptly acknowledge the receipt of your application.
Ensure that all eligible applications are reviewed thoughtfully and fairly.

We welcome your comments on how we are meeting these standards. Email:
[email protected], attention: Standards for Service. In addition, applicants will receive
an invitation to participate in a voluntary survey to provide feedback on the grant
application guidelines on our website and any experiences consulting with our staff.
For questions about these guidelines or your application, contact the Literary Arts staff
at 202-682-5034 or [email protected].
Paperwork Reduction Act Statement
The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated at an average
of 12 hours per response including the time for reviewing instructions, searching
existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and
reviewing the collection of information. We welcome any suggestions that you might
have on improving the guidelines and making them as easy to use as possible. Send
comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of
information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: [email protected],

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attention: Reporting Burden. Note: Applicants are not required to respond to the
collection of information unless it displays a currently valid U.S. Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) control number.

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