Review Criteria

In reviewing applications for Literature Fellowships, advisory panelists consider solely the artistic excellence and artistic merit of the writing sample that is submitted. The identity of the applicant is not known to the panelists.

What Happens to Your Application

Applications are evaluated through an anonymous process according to the review criteria above.

After processing by our staff to determine eligibility and completeness, applications are reviewed, in closed session, by advisory panelists in the literary arts field. Each literary arts panel comprises a diverse group of arts experts and at least one knowledgeable layperson. To review the applications, the National Endowment for the Arts assembles a different advisory panel every year, each diverse with regard to geography, race and ethnicity, sex/gender, and artistic points of view. Panel recommendations are forwarded to the National Council on the Arts, which then makes recommendations to the Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Chair reviews the Council’s recommendations and makes the final decision on all grant awards. Applicants are then notified of funding decisions.

Due to the volume of applications that we receive, we are unable to provide feedback on the review of applications.