Fellowships of $50,000 to USA and territories poets to engage in impactful civic projects and the creation of new work. Selected fellows are official poet laureates with a history of published work who are recognized in their field. The program is intended to honor poets of literary merit appointed to serve in civic positions and to enable them to undertake meaningful and innovative projects that engage residents with poetry, helping to address issues important to their communities, as well as to create new work.
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Eligibility Criteria" for clarification)
Additional Eligibility Criteria
Any poet who meets the below criteria as of January 1, 2023 in the fellowship award year is eligible:
- 21 years of age or older;
- Appointed as an official poet laureate of a state, city, county, U.S. territory, or Tribal nation by a Governor, State Arts or Humanities Council, State Poet Laureate Commission, Tribe President, Mayor, City Council, City Poet Laureate Commission, City Arts Board, County Arts Board, or a city’s public library system;
- Published one or more collections of poetry (excluding books that are self-published and/or published with a subsidy press that requires payment by the author) or substantial history of public spoken word performances;
- Substantial publication history in a variety of journals and media, or of public spoken word performances;
- Recognition in the field (including literary awards, prizes, grants, residencies, and fellowships);
- Demonstrated commitment to promoting awareness of poetry.
Pre-Application Information
Applications for the 2023 Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowships are accepted from December 5, 2022 until February 17, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
All applicants will be notified of the 2023 award results by email by June 30, 2023.
Online submissions are accepted for the 2023 Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowships through the submission manager, Submittable.
Poets laureate within a state may submit a collaborative application. You are encouraged to contact the Academy before doing so.
Your civic project budget should not include an honorarium for your time working on your civic project(s) and should not exceed $15,000. The remainder of the fellowship funds is intended to support an honorarium for your time working on your civic project(s), as well as your own literary work.
Please note:
- If you are able to secure in-kind support from local 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations (e.g. staff time, venue rental, promotion on a website and/or social media, etc.), with which you do not have a conflict of interest (e.g. you are not an employee or Board member), in support of your project, the Academy will match the amount you’ve secured, up to $10,000, in a financial contribution to the nonprofit(s) if you are awarded an Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship.
- Alternatively, if you are able to secure a contribution of up to a total of $10,000 in cash in support of your project from a local foundation(s) or business(es) (not owned or operated by a relative and with a legitimate physical address, phone number, and website), the Academy will provide a matching amount to you after their disbursement in addition to fellowship funds if you are awarded an Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship.
