Contestable Fund Grants
Up to $75,000 is available annually to support strategic projects that grow Aotearoa New Zealand’s literary sector.
About
We support projects with clearly defined, measurable outcomes aligned with literary sector growth, such as:
- Developing professional skills for writers, including those who write for education audiences
- Growing export markets for Aotearoa New Zealand published content
- Innovation in creating and distributing Aotearoa New Zealand published content
- Diverse content encouraging Māori, Pacific Peoples, and other minority and ethnic groups to participate
- Using online platforms to enhance the profile of Aotearoa New Zealand publishing internationally
Other projects demonstrating positive impact on the writing and publishing industry will also be considered.
Congratulations to the successful recipients of the 2025 Contestable Fund Grants, with a total of $75,000 granted.
In 2025 we received 107 applications, the highest ever number of applications for a Cultural Fund award.
Applications were invited for projects that had clearly defined and measurable outcomes that align with the TCA Cultural Fund’s objectives. The diverse range and high standard of applications this year demonstrates the work the sector is doing to upskill authors, writers, and publishers.
This year funding contributions were made towards 19 projects, see all the successful recipients here.
One successfully funded project was ‘Attention Studies’ facilitated by The Physics Room and Gwynneth Porter:
“This project will support arts writers to workshop and produce a quick-spirited publication that responds critically to a year of cultural production in Aotearoa. The monthly writing workshops bring participants from around Aotearoa, Australia, and further afield. The publication is designed by Warren Olds and distributed to galleries, libraries and like-minded organisations.”
– James Tapsell-Kururangi
How to apply
| Applications open | 10 am, Friday 11th September, 2026 |
| Applications close | 5 pm, Wednesday 7th October, 2026 |
| Application criteria | Download application criteria form |
| Status | Apply here |
| Application Fee | $30 (incl GST) online payment is required when submitting application |
Applications are reviewed by our independent selection panel.
Tip: Read ‘Award Alchemy‘ from NZ Author Magazine for advice on submitting a strong application.
A selection of winners from the 2025 Contestable Fund Grants
