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Source verified June 19, 2026
AFA — Literary Individual Project Funding
Funding for individual literary arts projects
Latest source updateLast Update: June 30, 2026Latest change: The expert panel comments page now references the March 2, 2026 deadline and adds more detailed guidance on project descriptions, budgets, and support material.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: June 30, 2026
Latest change: The expert panel comments page now references the March 2, 2026 deadline and adds more detailed guidance on project descriptions, budgets, and support material.
Literary funding comments updated for March 2, 2026
The Literary Arts Individual Project Funding expert panel comments page now shows the March 2, 2026 deadline instead of September 2, 2025. It also adds more concrete guidance on project descriptions, including detailed timelines, activities, budgets, collaborator rationale, and same-genre writing samples. Support material guidance is broader and more specific, with stronger direction on project descriptions, budgets, and the kinds of documents applicants should provide. The main funding page still shows up to $18,000 and the same core eligibility structure, so the change is concentrated in deadline timing and applicant guidance rather than funding terms.
Funding available
$ 18,000
Deadline
September 1, 2026
Location
Alberta, Canada
Who can apply
Collaborating artists, ensembles, and collectives are eligible to apply to this program if all project co-owners meet the individual eligibility criteria as defined above
See full eligibility
Overview
This program supports individual literary arts projects in Alberta for artists, arts administrators, or ensembles. It provides funding for art production, marketing, research, and training or career development, with eligible genres including novels, poetry, graphic novels, plays, young adult fiction, picture books, and literary non-fiction.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new product or service
- Conduct research and development activities
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 18,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Alberta
Legal structures
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Language Minorities
- Newcomers to Canada
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
- Rural or Northern Residents
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Canadians
- Youth (<40)
- Women
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- art production
- marketing
- research
- training and career development
Documents Needed
- Artistic resume
- Detailed project description
- Writing sample
- Project co-owners resumes, if applicable
- Project budget and revenue details
Official resources
Program guide
Supporting document
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Collaborating artists, ensembles, and collectives are eligible to apply to this program if all project co-owners meet the individual eligibility criteria as defined above
Who is not eligible
- Applicants incorporated under provincial or federal legislation
- For-profit businesses or production companies
- Applicants with open or outstanding AFA projects or reporting
Eligible expenses
- Artist fees, commission fees, royalties, and administration or contract fees
- Promotion, publicity, transportation, accommodation, and tuition or training fees
- Basic living or subsistence costs, including housing, food, local transportation, child care, and dependent care
- Other expenses and supplies considered reasonable and necessary by the AFA
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Publication or production costs for books or periodicals in print or digital formats
- Capital purchases and studio construction or renovations
- Recreational training projects and course components
- Expenses already incurred before application, including grant writer fees
- Privately printed, self-published, vanity press, print-on-demand, or shared-cost publications
Eligible geographic areas
- Alberta
Selection criteria
- Impact on the applicant and the artistic genre in Alberta
- Artistic, educational, or promotional merit
- Appropriateness of the project budget and partner commitment
- Applicant’s ability to carry out the project
- Training, experience, expertise, and artistic achievements to date
How to apply
- Step 1
- Register for a GATE Front Office username and password, if needed.
- Use the AFA registration email at least five business days before the deadline.
- Step 2
- Log in to GATE Front Office and start a new application.
- Select the literary individual project funding opportunity.
- Step 3
- Complete the online forms, including project information, co-owners, agreement, budget, and revenue.
- Step 4
- Upload all required attachments and any project-specific support material.
- Submit the completed application before the deadline in GATE Front Office.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by an expert panel.
- The AFA board reviews panel recommendations and makes the final decision.
- Successful applicants are notified after board approval.
- Funding recipients must complete the project as approved and submit a final report.
Additional information
- Applications are reviewed by an expert panel, and all decisions are final.
- Successful applicants are generally notified 4 to 6 months after the deadline.
- Funding recipients must acknowledge the AFA in project publicity whenever possible.
- A complete and satisfactory final report must be submitted in GATE.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the AFA — Literary Individual Project Funding Program
What is the AFA — Literary Individual Project Funding?
This program supports individual literary arts projects in Alberta for artists, arts administrators, or ensembles. It provides funding for art production, marketing, research, and training or career development, with eligible genres including novels, poetry, graphic novels, plays, young adult fiction, picture books, and literary non-fiction.
How much funding can be received?
AFA — Literary Individual Project Funding Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses, capped at $18,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the AFA — Literary Individual Project Funding program?
To be eligible for the AFA — Literary Individual Project Funding program, you must:
Must be a resident of Alberta
Must be in good standing with the AFA with no open or outstanding projects or reporting
Must own the copyright of a proposed work
What expenses are eligible under AFA — Literary Individual Project Funding?
art production
marketing
research
training and career development
Who can I contact for more information about the AFA — Literary Individual Project Funding?
You can contact Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) by email at registrationafa@gov.ab.ca.
Where is the AFA — Literary Individual Project Funding available?
The AFA — Literary Individual Project Funding program is available the province of Alberta.
Is the AFA — Literary Individual Project Funding a grant, loan, or tax credit?
AFA — Literary Individual Project Funding is a Grant and Funding