The Iowa Screenwriters Grants are intended to provide support to Iowa’s screenwriters to undertake activities that advance their artistic practices and elevate the creative screenwriting industry in Iowa.

The Iowa Screenwriters Grant is administered by the Iowa Arts Council, which exists within the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Funding is made possible by a sponsorship from the Iowa Scriptwriters Alliance and the Iowa Motion Picture Association. Applicants must adhere to the funding policies of the Iowa Arts Council.

Questions
Potential applicants, especially first-time applicants, are encouraged to review all published material and contact Arts, Film, and Media Coordinator EJ Philby Burton at ej.philbyburton@iowaeda.com with questions well in advance of application deadlines.

Accessibility
The Iowa Arts Council is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to eligible applicants. For technical support submitting the online application, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator, Jennie Knoebel at 515-348-6324 or jennie.knoebel@iowaeda.com, at least two weeks in advance of application deadline.

Timeline

Fiscal Year 2024 Application Deadline
November 1, 2023 at 11:59 PM for the funding period of December 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024.

Funding Notification
Typically, applicants are notified of funding decisions within four weeks after the application deadline.

Final Report Deadline
Grant recipients are required to complete a final report by August 1, 2024.

Funding

Eligible Use of Funds
Applicants are required to demonstrate a current screenwriting project that will be improved using professional development and/or access to screenwriting resources. Project and professional development should grow the skills of the applicant as a screenwriter in a way that will heighten their screenwriting career. Project activities may occur before or after the funding period; however, the grant funds can support expenses and activities that occur only within the funding period.

Grant Request
Applicants may request funding for eligible one-time project expenses that are incurred and expended within the eligible funding period.

Minimum Grant Request:  $500
Maximum Grant Request:  $2,500

Match Requirement
Applicants are required to demonstrate investment in the project by providing a cash match that is a minimum of 50% of the total grant amount requested from the Iowa Economic Development Authority. For example, an applicant that requests $1,000 in grant funds must have at least $500 in cash match for a minimum total project budget of $1,500.

Funding Period
All project activities and incurred expenses must occur within the eligible funding period of November 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024.

Applicant Requirements

Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants must meet all the following requirements. Individuals who do not meet these requirements are not eligible to apply.

Ineligible Applicants
Ineligible applicants include the following types of entities:

  • Individuals enrolled in any type of undergraduate or graduate degree granting program at the time of application
  • Artist groups, collaboratives and collectives
  • For-profit corporation or business
  • Federally tax exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
  • Public and private school that serves grades pre-K through 12
  • Nonprofit or state institution of higher education
  • Unit of local, county or federally recognized tribal government

Project Requirements

Eligible Projects
Grant funds must be used for expenses that advance a screenwriter’s professional capacity, enhance their artistic practice, or learn new or more advanced techniques in screenwriting. An “Eligible Project” is defined as activities that will enable the applicant to achieve a particular goal that advances their screenwriting career or practice. Applicants must be working on an active screenplay project at the time of application and throughout the funding period.

Types of eligible activities include:

  • Attending professional development opportunities for screenwriting (e.g. online or in-person conference or workshop registration fees)
  • Expanding capacity for creative screenwriting work (e.g. purchasing or subscribing to screenwriting software)
  • Learning new or advanced techniques in screenwriting (e.g. online or in-person classes, courses, apprenticeships)

The following types of screenplays are eligible.

  • Feature including sequels
  • Short
  • Web Series
  • Episodic including pilot episodes or new seasons
  • Proof-of-Concept
  • Adaptations from other works

Ineligible Projects
Projects that fall outside of the identified types of eligible projects may not request funding through this grant program. Grant funds may not be used to support routine, ongoing activities or expenses. Applicants must demonstrate how the funding will enable them to achieve a particular skill or advancement in their screenwriting career as it relates to their active project.

Ineligible projects also include the following types of activities and projects.

  • Advertisements
  • Award Shows, Sweepstakes or Contests
  • Capital projects
  • Commercials
  • Domestic travel-dominant projects that primarily benefit the applicant
    • Projects that involve domestic travel outside of Iowa must clearly demonstrate how the activities benefit Iowans and the arts community in Iowa
  • Equipment-dominant projects that primarily benefit the applicant
    • Projects that involve equipment purchases must clearly demonstrate how the activities benefit Iowans and the arts community in Iowa
  • Fundraiser or benefit costs
  • Infomercials
  • Lobbying activities
  • Ongoing projects or programming for which the identified beginning and end dates are arbitrary
  • Trailers or Sizzle Reels
  • Screenplays with news, talk shows, religious, political, instructional, corporate or obscene content
  • Projects-for-hire
  • Project activities may occur before or after the funding period; however, the grant funds and required match can only support expenses and activities that occur within the funding period.
  • Project submitted by an individual that is initiated, managed by, or that benefit an entity or organization with which the individual applicant has a formal affiliation such as employment or volunteer service
  • Projects that result in an applicant’s course credit or degree
  • Religious activities
  • Separate phases of a project that has already received a grant from the Iowa Arts Council
    • Sequels or new seasons of episodic productions are considered eligible, distinct projects

Budget Requirements

Eligible Grant Request Expenses
Iowa Screenwriters Grants support expenses that are essential to the completion of the proposed project. The grant request must be dedicated to eligible one-time, direct expenses, are legitimate parts of the proposed project, and must be incurred and expended within the eligible funding period. Expenses identified in the grant request should be based on competitive, current market pricing. Applicants that include ineligible expenses in the grant request will be considered ineligible.

Eligible grant request expenses include direct project costs such as:

Types of eligible expenses include:

  • Professional Development (e.g. course fees, instructor fees, excluding programs where academic credit is earned)
  • Screenwriting Software (for the duration of the funding period and necessary for professional development)
  • Domestic Travel (e.g. mileage, accommodation, per diem)

Ineligible Grant Request Expenses
Expenses that fall outside of the identified eligible expenses for the project may not be included as part of the grant request. Applicants that include ineligible expenses in the grant request will be considered ineligible.

Ineligible grant request and match expenses include:

  • Budget shortfalls
  • Capital expenditures
  • Collection maintenance or restoration expenses
  • Commercial (for-profit) enterprises or activities, including concessions, food, T-shirts, artwork, or other items for resale. This includes online or virtual sales/shops.
  • Costs for the creation of new organizations
  • Deficit or debt reduction
  • Donations or contributions to other organizations
  • Equipment purchases
  • Expenses incurred prior to or after the funding period
  • Food, beverage, and alcohol
  • Foreign travel
  • Funding cash reserve or endowment accounts or instruments
  • Fundraising or benefit activity expenses
  • General miscellaneous or contingency costs
  • Home studio/office costs or expenses, including utilities and mortgage payments
  • Lobbying activity
  • Membership/dues
  • Ongoing or operating expenses including utilities, rent/lease, office supplies, personnel time that is not specifically dedicated to the project  
  • Personnel benefits
  • Prizes and awards
  • Property maintenance, restoration or renovation expenses
  • Purchase and/or use of gift cards and gift certificates to support project costs
  • Purchase of a vehicle
  • Social activities such as receptions, parties, galas, community dinners, picnics, and potlucks
  • Tuition, fees or project activity that results in an applicant’s undergraduate or graduate course credit or degree

Match Requirement
Applicants are required to demonstrate investment in a project by providing cash matching funds in an amount that is one half (50%) the total grant amount requested from the Iowa Arts Council, a unit of the Iowa Economic Development Authority. For example, an applicant that requests $1,000 in grant funds must have at least $500 in cash match for a minimum project budget of $1,500. In-kind match, which would be non-cash goods or services provided by a third party, does not count towards the cash match requirement.

The required cash match must be dedicated to one-time project expenses that are legitimate parts of the proposed project. Expenses identified in the match should be based on competitive, current market pricing.  Applicants will be required to identify all anticipated cash match expenses and in-kind contributions beyond the grant request in the budget form, as well as the anticipated revenue sources that will cover them. The cash match does not have to be secured at the time of application but must be secured and identified in the final report at the end of the funding period.

  • Cash match is actual cash contributed to direct project expenses by the applicant or other funding sources.
  • Expenses used for cash match must be adhere to same grant request expense eligibility as detailed in the Budget Requirements section of these guidelines
  • In-kind match is non-cash goods or services provided at no charge to the project by a third party
  • Funding from the state government cannot be used to meet the match requirement

Review Process

Eligibility Review
Submitted applications are reviewed by staff for completion, eligibility and adherence to published guidelines. Applications are reviewed as submitted. New application information or subsequent application clarification submitted after a program deadline is not considered unless requested by a program manager. Staff will also review an applicant’s record of compliance and good standing with the Iowa Arts Council, Iowa Economic Development Authority, State and Federal government. Applications or applicants determined by staff to be ineligible or incomplete will not move forward to panel review and are specifically denied any appeals process.

Competitive Panel Review
Eligible applications will be referred to a competitive review by a panel of professionals with appropriate expertise commensurate to the purpose of the grant program. Applications will be scored and ranked based on the published scoring rubric. Recommendations are submitted to leadership for consideration and funding approval. All funding decisions are final and may not be appealed due to dissatisfaction. Applicants may review the appeals policy for information on grounds for appeal and the appeal process.

Decision Notification
Applicants are typically notified of funding decisions within four weeks after the application deadline. Applicants are notified of the status of their application whether they are or are not selected to receive funding. Applicants will be contacted if any additional information is required and are encouraged to refrain from contacting staff for application status updates until funding decisions are made.

Online Application Submission

Applicants must submit applications via the Iowa Arts Council’s SlideRoom, an online application portal. Applications will not be accepted in any other format. Late, incomplete or ineligible applications will not be accepted. Applicants can access the current online application requirements at iowaartscouncil.slideroom.com. Applicants must create a login to view the full application requirements for the program. Applicants can visit help.liaisonedu.com for assistance related to the online submission.

Application Narrative Questions and Scoring Rubric

The following scoring rubric will be used to evaluate applications. Each section has criteria and corresponding point values to ensure a fair review process. The rubric is on a scale of 24 points. Application questions are for reference only. Applicants must review and complete application requirements in the SlideRoom portal.

Applicant Profile
Describe the applicant’s career as an Iowa screenwriter, including:

  • the type and quality of productions and/or screenplays
  • notable achievements in screenwriting career or practice
  • how the proposed production will advance the applicant’s career and work as an Iowa screenwriter

Career Information
Upload a 1-2 page document that details the applicant’s activity as an Iowa artist, such as an artist resume, curriculum vitae (CV), or list of career achievements with dates.

Applicant Profile: 3 points possible

  1. Career activity, concept and form of work is unclear or inadequate. Relevant notable achievements are unclear or not identified.
  2. Applicant describes screenwriting career, concept and form of work. Relevant notable achievements are identified.
  3. Applicant demonstrates and supports an active screenwriting career with strong capabilities in concept and form. Applicant demonstrates a strong record of progress in their screenwriting career through relevant notable achievements.

Applicant Goal
Detail the goal(s) the grant funds will help the applicant achieve, including:

  • how reaching the goal(s) will advance your professional capacity, enhance your artistic practice, or expand the audience or market for your work
  • why now is a pivotal time in their career

Applicant Goal: 3 points possible

  1. A goal was not identified or it is unclear how the goal will advance the applicant’s artistic practice at this time.
  2. The identified goal may advance the applicant’s artistic practice and seems to be the logical next step in their career.
  3. The identified goal will clearly advance the applicant's artistic practice and is the logical next step for their career.

Project Description
Describe your current screenplay project and the related professional development or other activities that will enable you to achieve your career goal, including:

  • the current screenplay project that you are working on that would be aided by this grant
  • the professional development activity that will help your screenwriting career and/or software needed for the furtherment of the screenplay and/or the professional development activity

Project Description: 3 points possible

  1. Project description is inadequate. Project activity is not relevant to achieving the identified career goal.
  2. Project description is satisfactory. It is questionable if the project activity will help achieve the identified career goal.
  3. Project description is clear. Project activity is highly relevant to achieving the identified career goal.

Project Timeline Provide a timeline of when project activities will occur. Be sure to include when key artistic decisions will be made, project phases, and events, as applicable. If you include activities that occur outside of the funding period for context, indicate that by adding an asterisk (*). Project activity dates may be estimated by month, i.e. February 2024, if a specific date is not yet determined.

Project Timeline: 3 points possible

  1. Multiple concerns about project achievability. Timeline of tasks is insufficient.
  2. Project may be achievable through the identified timeline of tasks.
  3. Confident project will successfully happen through a clear, detailed timeline of tasks.

Project Budget

Budget Form
Detail grant award, cash and in-kind match expenses, including a brief description and the numeric dollar amount associated with each expense in the budget form below. Round to the nearest dollar. Do not enter decimal signs or commas. Please list the sum total for each expense (row in the table) in the column labeled "Total ($)".

Expense Description Grant Award ($) Cash Match ($) In-Kind Match ($) = Total ($)

Total Grant Request
Enter total numeric dollar amount of grant request for eligible project expenses that will be incurred within the eligible funding period. Round to the nearest dollar. Do not include dollar signs, commas or decimals.

Total Cash Match
Enter total numeric dollar amount of cash match for eligible project expenses that will be incurred within the eligible funding period. Round to the nearest dollar. Do not include dollar signs, commas or decimals.

Total In-Kind Match
Enter total numeric dollar amount of in-kind match for eligible project expenses that will be incurred within the eligible funding period. Round to the nearest dollar. Do not include dollar signs, commas or decimals. As a reminder, in-kind match is non-cash goods or services provided at no charge to the project by a third party.

Source(s) of Cash Match
Detail the source(s) of the cash match for the grant activity, including the amount from each funding source and whether the funding source has been secured. Please be specific in the funding source (i.e. specific name of the grant received). Please note, the cash match requirement may be raised through a combination of public and private sources but may not include in-kind donations of goods or services or other funding from the State of Iowa or the Federal Government. The sum of the amounts listed should equal the number reported in Total Cash Match above. Round to the nearest dollar. Do not enter decimal signs or commas.

Funding Source Amount ($) Secured (Yes/No)

Estimated Total Project Cost
This is the sum of the total grant request, total cash match, and total in-kind match expenses. Enter total numeric dollar amount. Round to the nearest dollar. Do not include dollar signs, commas or decimals.

Budget Narrative
Describe the expenses that the grant funds and cash match will support within the eligible funding period, including:

  • why the good, service, or opportunity was selected
  • credentials of any collaborators or service providers involved
  • if you have already been accepted into the program/course, if applicable

Budget: 3 points possible

  1. Intended use of funds is inadequate and whether the proposed project will provide the applicant with a quality opportunity to advance their artistic practice is unclear.
  2. Intended use of funds is identified and the proposed project may provide the applicant with a quality opportunity to advance their artistic practice.
  3. Intended use of funds is clear and appropriate, and the proposed project would provide the applicant with a high quality opportunity to advance their artistic practice.

Artistic Work Samples
Submit 3-5 artistic work samples that directly relate to the proposed project. Artistic work samples should demonstrate the quality of the artistic work in the proposed project or the quality of the applicant’s past work as it relates to the proposed project. Artistic work samples must represent an artistic work. Artistic work samples do not include bios, testimonials, news articles or marketing material such as brochures, fliers or posters.

  • Provide 3-5 items.
  • Video and audio files should not exceed 3 minutes each.
  • PDF files should not exceed 5 page each.
  • Panelists will not be required to view more than 5 pages of a document or more than 3 minutes of an audio or video file.

Artistic Work Samples: 3 points possible

  1. Artistic work samples are of high quality, relevant to the proposed project, and clearly demonstrate exceptional capabilities in artistic concept and form.
  2. Artistic work samples are of high quality, relevant to the proposed project, and clearly demonstrate exceptional capabilities in artistic concept and form.
  3. Artistic work samples are of high quality, relevant to the proposed project, and clearly demonstrate exceptional capabilities in artistic concept and form.

Overall Application
The following scoring criteria reference the quality of the proposal and application as a whole and not a particular question.

Overall Artistic Vitality: 3 points possible

  1. Project does not advance screenwriting or adequately impact the vitality of the arts in Iowa.
  2. Project may advance screenwriting and reasonably impact the vitality of the arts in Iowa.
  3. Project will advnace screenwriting and substantially impact the vitality of the arts in Iowa.

Case for Support: 3 points possible

  1. Proposal does not meet the goals for the grant program, case for support is below average or does not merit state investment.
  2. Proposal meets the goals for the grant program and case for support is average.
  3. Proposal clearly meets the goals for the grant program, case for support is exemplary and the project merits investment from the state.

Glossary of Terms and Definitions
Applicants should refer to the glossary for clarification of program terms and definitions.