Swedish Writers' Union - Ake and Vera Holmberg Scholarship

What you get

You will receive a travel grant for a stay of up to one month in a Nordic country: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland or Iceland. Use this time to study, develop your work further or find a quiet place to write. The grant covers your travel and accommodation costs, usually at a Nordic writers’ retreat or guest accommodation such as Villa Kivi in Helsinki, Voksenåsen in Oslo or Hald Hovedgaard in Denmark. There is no fixed amount. The amount is based on your actual travel and accommodation costs. You book the travel and accommodation yourself; therefore, please check before applying whether the guest house you have chosen still has places available. The grant comes from a fund established by the Swedish crime writer Åke Holmberg, the creator of the ‘Ture Sventon’ books.

Who can apply

• What you do: You write children’s and young adult books or work as a translator.
• Membership: You must be a member of the Swedish Writers’ Union (Sveriges Författarförbund).
• Your plan: You have a specific trip in mind, involving a particular Nordic country and a clear purpose for your stay.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply, as long as you are a union member.
• Age: No age limit.

How to apply

Applications must be made using a form accessible via a link in the trade union’s email announcing the funding programme; this email is sent exclusively to members. Please include a brief description of your planned trip. The application deadline will be announced by email and, in previous years, has been at the end of April or the beginning of May. A panel will decide who receives the grant.

How realistic are your chances?

This grant is very targeted. Only trade union members who write children’s and young adult books or work as translators are eligible to apply, so the pool of potential recipients is small. If you fit this profile and can submit a clear, well-planned travel proposal for a stay at a Nordic writers’ residence, your chances are good. The call for applications is sent directly to members; so please keep an eye on your inbox and apply within the specified timeframe.