IALA Creative Writing Grant 2026

The International Armenian Literary Alliance’s Creative Writing Grant will award $2,500 to one Armenian writer whose work-in-progress shows exceptional literary and creative ability. The grant genre rotates annually to support a diverse range of literary voices. Following previous years focused on fiction and nonfiction, the 2026 grant will be awarded for a collection of poetry, to be judged by Armen Davoudian.

IALA’s Creative Writing Grant is meant to foster the development of contemporary Armenian literature in English through an annual monetary award, and support Armenian writers who have historically lacked resources in the publishing world. Additionally, IALA will support grant recipients in promoting their publications through marketing on our website and social media channels, book reviews, readings and discussions.

Application now open through September 30, 2026 (11:59 PM ET).

The application will include a 5,000 word writing sample and a brief synopsis of the work you intend to use the grant to complete. The application will also request a brief bio, a personal statement, and an artistic statement. The full application will be posted on September 1, 2026.

Also explore IALA’s Israelyan Eastern Armenian Translation Grant, Israelyan Western Armenian Translation Grant, and Israelyan English Translation Grant.

Eligibility and Requirements

Age: Must be over 21 at the time of application.
Language: Applications and writing samples must be submitted in English, and the book-length project you propose to complete should be written in English as well.
Grants are intended for works that are in progress and not yet under any publication contract.
While writing samples are eligible if previously published in literary journals or outlets as excerpts, no more than ten percent of the book-length work should be previously published, as this grant is intended to help you complete an unfinished work. The proposed book-length project is ineligible if already traditionally or self-published.
Applications or writing samples containing text generated by artificial intelligence or other machine-based tools are strictly prohibited.
Genre: Poetry. We welcome all styles of poetry intended for adult readers, including experimental and hybrid forms. While poems may be inspired by theory and research, strictly academic works are not eligible.
Applicants must be active members of IALA at the time of application. For those on a low income or who are unemployed, we offer several discounted or free memberships per year.
Applicants must be of Armenian descent or identity.
Not open to members of the IALA board of directors or advisory board.
No previous publication record is required.
Applicants may submit one application per year. Those who are not awarded the grant may re-apply in the future. Grant recipients are ineligible to re-apply for five years.
IALA expects members to engage respectfully and professionally with staff, board and fellow community members in order to maintain a safe and constructive environment. The organization reserves the right to deny, suspend, or terminate membership, restrict participation in events or programs, or deny applications where conduct is deemed inappropriate or harmful to the community.
We reserve the right to not award a given grant if the judges determine that the applications do not meet the review criteria.
All decisions are final and not subject to appeal or reconsideration.

Review Criteria

Applications will be reviewed through a “blind” panel process. Judging will be based on 1) literary excellence (technique and craft of the writing sample), 2) originality (in terms of subject matter and style as conveyed in the sample), 3) vision and potential of the work (to be completed, published, and to meet its intended impact, based on synopsis and supplemental questions), and 4) how beneficial the grant will be to the work’s completion (based on supplemental questions). Furthermore, applicants should consider IALA’s dedication to diversity as expressed in our mission and vision statement within these criteria.