Writing Grants for Diverse, Unpublished Writers: The Walter Dean Myers Grants

The Walter Dean Myers Grant program was established to provide grants of $2,000 each to promising diverse writers and illustrators who are currently unpublished. Since 2015, we have awarded 34 grants.

SUBMISSION WINDOW

We will start accepting applications for the 2022 Walter Grants at 12:01 AM EST on June 1, 2022. Our submission window will remain open until June 30, 2022. Applications must be in by 11:59 PM EST on June 30. You may submit an application below using our application form.

In 2022, we are offering community-specific grants in addition to our general Walter Grants. We are offering two Walter Grants to trans writers or illustrators, two Walter Grants to Muslim creators, and two Walter Grants to Native/Indigenous/First Nations writers or illustrators. To apply for these grants, you must select that you wish to be considered in your application.

ELIGIBILITY FOR GENERAL WALTER GRANT Applicants must identify as diverse, as per WNDB’s definition of diversity.

• Applicants must be unpublished as illustrators and/or authors. This includes both trade publishing and self-publishing. If the applicant has a book deal for an as yet unpublished book, the applicant is considered published for purposes of this grant. Essays, short stories, and articles do not render an applicant ineligible.

• Applicants who have books on submission to publishing houses are not eligible for the Walter Grant. Books on submission to procure an agent however will not render the applicant ineligible.

• Applicant must be working toward a career as a children’s author and/or illustrator. This includes but is not limited to: Picture Books, Early Reader Books, Chapter Books, Middle Grade Books, Young Adult, Graphic Novels, Non-Fiction, Poetry.

• Applicant must be a U.S. resident or a refugee living in the States. (Note for refugee applicants: receiving a grant might affect your income limitations and any government assistance you may receive. You may want to reach out to appropriate officials, like an immigration attorney, for advice.)

• Applicant must be at least 18 years in age.

ELIGIBILITY FOR WALTER GRANT FOR NATIVE/INDIGENOUS CREATORS 

• Applicant must meet all of the above qualifications as stated for our general Walter Grant AND

• Applicant must be Native, Indigenous, and/or First Nations, including but not limited to Alaskan Natives, Native Hawaiians, and tribal citizens and members or recent descendants who are connected to their community.

• You may belong to one or more of these communities and still decide to apply for a general Walter Grant. If you belong to more than one of these communities, you need to choose one of the grants to apply for and cannot apply to more than one.

ELIGIBILITY FOR WALTER GRANT FOR MUSLIM CREATORS 

• Applicant must meet all of the above qualifications as stated for our general Walter Grant AND

• Applicant must be Muslim.

• You may belong to one or more of these communities and still decide to apply for a general Walter Grant. If you belong to more than one of these communities, you need to choose one of the grants to apply for and cannot apply to more than one.

ELIBILITY FOR WALTER GRANT FOR TRANS CREATORS 

• Applicant must meet all of the above qualifications as stated for our general Walter Grant AND

• Applicant must be a part of the trans community. The Walter Grant for trans creators is open to all trans writers and illustrators, including but not limited to people who are trans men, trans women, Two Spirit, third gender, nonbinary, genderqueer, bigender/pangender, genderfluid, and agender.

• You may belong to one or more of these communities and still decide to apply for a general Walter Grant. If you belong to more than one of these communities, you need to choose one of the grants to apply for and cannot apply to more than one.

Link to complete guidelines and application form.