Assisting New Zealand Writers’ Research Efforts

CLNZ/NZSA Research Grants 2016

Assisting New Zealand Writers’ Research Efforts

In support of New Zealand writers who wish to undertake research for a fiction or nonfiction writing project, the 2016 Copyright Licensing New Zealand (CLNZ) and New Zealand Society of Authors (NZSA) Research Grants will open for applications on 17 June.

Four grants of $5,000 each are available. Three of the grants are Open Research Grants and the fourth, the Stout Research Centre Grant, includes the $5,000 plus a valuable six-week residential fellowship at the Stout Research Centre (SRC) at Victoria University of Wellington. Giving writers the ability to read and research more, with access to library resources and journal databases that may otherwise be inaccessible, the Stout Research Centre Grant offers a dynamic environment to ensure the quality of research.

Paul Bensemann, recipient of the 2015 Stout Research Centre Grant for his writing project Saved! Battling for Paradise—the untold tale is a history of New Zealand’s conservation movement – said of his time at the Centre, “the best aspect of the Stout Research Grant was the helpful and close community of professors, staff and research fellows that I could draw on for advice and support if needed. This was particularly useful in seeking access to the likes of cabinet papers, ministerial diaries and photographic collections at the National Library and Archives New Zealand. The SRC provides an office and computer access and the grant funds are available to cover living costs and expenses to allow an intensive period of study at the Centre.”

Philippa Werry, who was awarded an Open Research Grant last year for her children's nonfiction book, Armistice Day: the New Zealand story, had this to say, “on a practical level, the money helped to fund my time undertaking research, as well as sourcing images, which can be a considerable cost when writing non-fiction. I also appreciated the fact that the research grants are open to writers for all ages, including the demanding but rewarding audience of children and young adults.” Philippa’s book was published by New Holland in March 2016.

We encourage writers of all fiction and non-fiction genres to apply for the CLNZ/NZSA Research Grants.

In 2016, as in previous years, priority will be given to projects of national or significant local interest and/or those that add significantly to the field or genre on a subject.

Applications open on 17 June and close at 5.00pm on 29 July 2016.

Full guidelines and application forms are available on the CLNZ and NZSA websites:

http://www.copyright.co.nz/Awards/

http://authors.org.nz

For more information please contact:

CLNZ, phone 64 9 486 6250, email info@copyright.co.nz;

or Claire Hill, NZ Society of Authors, email office@nzauthors.org.nz

ENDS

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