2026 Oregon Literary Fellowships

The Oregon Literary Fellowships are presented annually by Literary Arts, a nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon, committed to fostering the development of writers and the broader literary community in the state. Literary Arts supports Oregon’s creative culture through diverse programs including workshops, public readings, and funding initiatives such as these fellowships. The fellowships aim to help Oregon writers and literary publishers initiate, develop, or complete literary projects. Since its inception, the program has recognized writers at all stages of their careers and has evolved to include support for small presses and independent publishers within Oregon. The primary purpose of the Oregon Literary Fellowships is to encourage and sustain creative literary production by providing financial support to writers working in the genres of poetry, fiction, literary nonfiction, drama, and young readers’ literature. It also supports independent literary publishers in Oregon who demonstrate a consistent commitment to literary publishing. The funding is designed to allow recipients the freedom to pursue creative work without the burden of financial constraints. There is no application fee, which reflects Literary Arts' commitment to accessibility. To assist prospective applicants, Literary Arts offers several informational and support sessions. Two Zoom help sessions are scheduled: June 25 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. and July 16 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Additionally, an in-person drop-in session will be held on July 30 from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. at Literary Arts' headquarters in Portland. These sessions provide guidance on the application process and are designed to increase applicants’ understanding and success in submitting competitive proposals. The application process does not involve a fee, and guidelines are provided online through the Literary Arts website. The deadline to submit applications for the 2026 fellowships is August 8, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to thoroughly review the guidelines before submission. Application materials must reflect the applicant’s literary merit and project potential, and selection is based on these criteria. The program highlights previous fellowship recipients and their accomplishments, further demonstrating the impact of the fellowship on Oregon’s literary landscape. Testimonials from prior recipients, such as Christine Barkley, emphasize the importance of the fellowship’s accessibility and its support for developing writers. For more information or assistance, applicants may contact Literary Arts via email at la@literary-arts.org or by phone at 503.227.2583. Literary Arts is located at 716 SE Grand Ave, Portland, Oregon 97214.

Apply even if previously rejected; there is no application fee, which helps ensure accessibility. Attend help sessions for support.