We believe writers matter because writing matters.
Every professional writer should be able to sustain themselves and thrive, even when times are hard. The RLF offers financial support, advice and earning opportunities across the UK, enabling writers to keep writing and to share their skills with others.
Writing can change lives for the better.
We look forward to sharing our new website with you later this year.
Who We Are
Founded in 1790, the RLF (Royal Literary Fund) is a UK charity that helps writers in financial need and annually delivers over £5 million in grants, education, and outreach programmes.
For over two centuries and through our commitment to supporting literary excellence and representation in contemporary writing we have been able to support many writers who have gone on to produce some of their most influential and best-known works, including Anna Burns, Margaret Busby, Ivy Compton-Burnett, Joseph Conrad, Elizabeth Jennings, James Joyce, D.H. Lawrence, Doris Lessing, Mustapha Matura, Edith Nesbit, Mervyn Peake, Monique Roffey, Ali Smith, Bram Stoker, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Dylan Thomas and Antonia White.
How we help writers
We offer a range of grants to professional writers needing short-term to long-term financial support. You might be in debt, facing reduced income or unable to write due to a change in circumstances, sickness, disability, or age.
Our Grants team is here to guide you through our confidential application process to see if you or your family qualify for assistance.
Education
RLF Education is our commitment to advancing public education by creating earning opportunities for professional writers where they can share their expertise with others.
Our Fellowship scheme places writers in over 90 universities across the UK, helping students to develop their academic writing.
RLF Fellows also work in a variety of programmes in schools, doctoral training partnerships, hospitals and other workplaces, as well as community settings.
WritersMosaic
Our online magazine and platform for supporting and publishing contemporary UK writers of the global majority and others who reflect the diversity and energy of Britain’s future mainstream literature.
Student Resources
Our range of writing guides for students provides practical help to develop your writing.