Small development grants for poets living in the uk.

Are you a poet, currently living in the UK? Have you seen opportunities to further your art or career, but could not afford to take them up?

Bravado awards are small grants (up to £500), awarded annually and intended to enable you to undertake opportunities you would not otherwise be able to access due to reasons of cost, travel or any financial burden. We will also consider one-off costs relating to equipment which facilitates your writing practice.

Over the last two years we have enabled poets to attend festivals, mentoring sessions, record an EP, write a new book and supported an anthology.

This year, the Bravado Awards will be reviewed by a Guest Judge for the first time! We’re delighted to welcome Rebecca Kenny to the Bravado team:

Rebecca is the founder of Written Off Publishing, a small press dedicated to amplifying marginalised voices through poetry and short stories. Through Written Off, Rebecca aims to present authentic poetic voices in beautifully-dressed and ecologically sound books, de-centring negative experiences but also drawing focus to the intricacies of reality for "written off" artists, who often have to fight to be heard in a hierarchical and often elitist system.

The Bravado Awards are currently open for submissions until midnight on 9th January 2026! You can apply via the below form. If you require a different application process (video, audio etc), please contact us on hello@bravewords.co.uk.

Eligibility: All poets aged 18+ and resident in the UK for more than one month are eligible.  We particularly welcome applications from poets who identify as disabled, from the global majority, LGBTQIA+, refugees, neurodivergent individuals, and those with other protected characteristics.

We believe in supporting powerful writing from diverse voices.  We believe that amplifying voices which may not otherwise be heard progresses equality, diversity and inclusion, and that everyone should have the opportunity to develop their talent.

(Brave Words are gratefully able to offer the Bravado Awards due to the very kind donations of an individual who wishes to remain anonymous.)