Writer in Residence
The Writer in Residence grant from the Idaho Commission on the Arts honors a top Idaho writer, supporting statewide literary outreach and public engagement over a two-year term.
Funder: Idaho Commission on the Arts
Due Dates: January 31, 2027 (Writer in Residence full application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $5,000 per year for a two-year term; allowable travel expenses reimbursed
Summary: Idaho’s top literary award supporting an Idaho-based writer to engage communities statewide through public literary activities.
Key Information: Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on the deadline; late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Description
This biennial grant is Idaho’s highest literary honor and largest financial award for writers, administered by the Idaho Commission on the Arts. The Writer in Residence program recognizes outstanding achievement in literature and supports the recipient’s efforts to foster literary appreciation across the state. The selected writer serves as Idaho’s literary ambassador, engaging in public readings, workshops, presentations, and special projects, with an emphasis on outreach to underserved communities. The appointment is adjudicated anonymously by a panel of out-of-state experts, and recipients are expected to maintain a visible, active role in promoting literature throughout Idaho during their term.
