SCBWI Awards & Grants

A. Orr Fantasy Grant

Awarded to middle grade and young adult writers working in the fantasy or science fiction genre.

SUBMISSIONS CLOSED.

Ann Whitford Paul
Writer’s Digest Manuscript Award

An annual award given to the manuscript of a Most Promising Picture Book manuscript.

SUBMISSIONS CLOSED.

BIPOC Scholarship

All expense paid trip to the Winter or Summer Conference for Black, Indigenous, and People of color.

SUBMISSIONS CLOSED

Emerging Voices Award

Established with funding from Martin and Sue Schmitt of the 455 Foundation to foster the emergence of diverse voices in children’s books.

SUBMISSIONS CLOSED.

Karen Cushman Late Bloomer Award

An award for a work-in-progress from an unpublished author over age 50.

SUBMISSIONS OPEN.

General Conference Scholarship

All expense paid tuition to the Virtual Conference for any SCBWI member experiencing financial hardship.

SUBMISSIONS CLOSED.

Out from the Margins Award

An award for early career underrepresented creators of children’s literature.

SUBMISSIONS CLOSED.

Volemos: The Meg Medina Grant

This award is open to authors of Hispanic/Latinx/Ibero-American heritage who are early in their career (1-3 traditionally published books) or not yet traditionally published.

La beca está abierta a escritores de ascendencia latinx e iberoamericana al inicio de su carrera (que tienen de uno a tres libros publicados de manera tradicional, no autopublicados) o que todavía no han publicado de forma tradicional.

SUBMISSIONS CLOSED.

Work-in-Progress Awards

To assist children’s book writers and illustrators in the completion of a specific project currently not under contract. Given in the categories of Picture Book Text, Chapter Books/Early Readers, Middle Grade, Young Adult Fiction, Nonfiction, and Underrepresented Fiction or Nonfiction.

SUBMISSIONS OPEN.

Bologna Scholarship

Two illustrators will each receive a ticket to the Bologna Book Fair, travel fare, and a stipend for accommodations.

Submissions open December 1.

Don Freeman Work-in-Progress. Grant

To assist illustrators in the completion of a book dummy or portfolio.

SUBMISSIONS OPEN.

Draw This!

A monthly art prompt, part of the SCBWI publication Insight. All submissions shown on the online gallery, and two winners featured in Insight, the website, and social media.

March PROMPT: AVOCADO

Ezra Jack Keats Showcase Prize

In honor of Ezra Jack Keats, the legendary author and illustrator of children’s books, SCBWI will award one cash prize of $2,500 to a promising BIPOC illustrator.

SUBMISSIONS CLOSED.

Narrative Art Award

Given annually to an illustrator of promise based on a given prompt.

SUBMISSIONS CLOSED

Out from the Margins Award

An award for early career underrepresented creators of children’s literature.

SUBMISSIONS CLOSED.

Portfolio Awards

Given to the top portfolios submitted to the annual SCBWI Summer or Winter Conference.

SUBMISSIONS CLOSED.

Student Illustrator Scholarship

Conference tuition for full-time university students studying illustration.

SUBMISSIONS CLOSED

Book Launch Award

Provides authors or illustrators with $2,000 in funds to help promote their newly published work.

SUBMISSIONS CLOSED.

Crystal Kite Member Choice Awards

Peer-given award to recognize great books from fifteen SCBWI regional divisions around the world.

SUBMISSIONS CLOSED

Golden Kite Awards

Instituted in 1973, the Golden Kite Awards are the only children’s literary award judged by a jury of peers. The Golden Kite Awards recognize excellence in children’s literature in six categories: Young Reader and Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction, Nonfiction Text for Younger Readers, Nonfiction Text for Older Readers, Illustrated Book for Older Readers, Picture Book Text, and Picture Book Illustration.

SUBMISSIONS CLOSED.

Independently Published Pre-publication Grant

Provides $2,500 to help offset the price of self-publishing.

SUBMISSIONS CLOSED.

Spark Award

An annual award that recognizes excellence in a children’s book published through a non-traditional publishing route.

SUBMISSIONS CLOSED.

Amber Brown Grant

The Amber Brown Grant commemorates author and beloved school speaker Paula Danziger. One school is awarded each year with an author or illustrator visit and new books to continue Paula’s love of connecting children with creative influences.

SUBMISSIONS CLOSED.

Disability Fund Application

The SCBWI Disability Fund gives grants to disabled members for anything that would help them create children’s literature. For nonmembers with disabilities, the funds may support memberships and/or registration to events.

SUBMISSIONS CLOSED.

Emergency Fund

The SCBWI Emergency Fund gives a grant of us to $1,500 to a member for anything that would help them create children’s literature. For nonmembers with disabilities, the funds may support memberships and/or registration to events.

SUBMISSIONS CLOSED.

Kate Dopirak Craft & Community Award

Provides conference tuition to the SCBWI Summer Conference to the author of a promising manuscript who is experiencing a financial barrier.

SUBMISSIONS CLOSED.