Two Impact and Legacy Fund Awards Open for Submissions

Named for one of the modern masters of children’s nonfiction, The Russell Freedman Award for Nonfiction for a Better World is awarded annually to an exceptional nonfiction children’s book. The award is open to everyone who has a nonfiction children's or YA book traditionally published in 2023, including works in translation. The award consists of a $2,500 cash prize, plus $500 to purchase copies of the winning book for distribution to schools and libraries, plus a broadcast acceptance speech made available to the whole community. If both an author and illustrator are listed on the book cover, the prize will be split between them.

Please apply through the SCBWI website by submitting:

• Author name
• Illustrator and translator name (if applicable)
• As a single PDF:
• Book title
• Publisher
• Publication date
• A maximum 250 word book summary
• A maximum 500 word statement answering the following question: How will your book create a better world?

The Russell Freedman Award is now open for submissions until November 5th, 2023. You can apply by going to the 'Awards' tab on your Member Home.

Also open for submissions until November 5th, 2023 is the Stephen Fraser Encouragement Fund. Each year, the Fund provides three no-strings-attached grants of $2,000 each to a children’s book creator in need of encouragement.

Generously supported by Stephen Fraser, a veteran editor and now one of our industry’s most respected agents at The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency, this grant reflects Stephen’s commitment to supporting talent. Stephen knows that encouragement comes in many forms. As such, the grant may be used however the recipient sees fit with no reporting requirements.

The fund is open to children’s book writers, illustrators, and translators who have traditionally published at least one book.

To apply for the Encouragement Fund, please provide the following through our website:

• Submitter’s name
• As a single PDF:
• A 250 word bio.
• Your website or social media contacts, if you have them.
• The name(s) and publisher(s) of your most recently published book(s).
• A maximum 500 word statement describing why you need a burst of encouragement and how receiving the grant would support that.

You can apply by going to the 'Awards' tab on your Member Home.