Royal Literary Fund’s hardship grants for writers see applications increase by 400%

The Royal Literary Fund’s grant applications are open to writers who need short- or long-term financial support. Photograph: izusek/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Applications for the Royal Literary Fund’s (RLF’s) hardship grants for professional writers increased by 400% between last year and this year, the charity has said.

There was a nearly fivefold increase in applications in the first quarter of this year compared with the same period in 2023, RLF CEO Edward Kemp told the Guardian.