Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries

Deadline: February 12, 2023

The American Library Association (ALA) and the Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation are accepting applications for the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries, which recognize libraries for their role in the growth of graphic literature.

The Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries awards three grants to school, public, academic or special libraries located in North America (Canada, United States, or Mexico):

• Will Eisner Graphic Novel Innovation Grant provides support to one library for the initiation of a graphic novel service, program or initiative
• Will Eisner Graphic Novel Growth Grants will provide support to two libraries that would like to expand existing graphic novel services and programs

Each winning library will receive a grant award of $4,000 to support initiatives that align with the objective of the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries, including: 

• $2,000 grant to purchase graphic novels from the distributor-partner (Diamond Comics Distributors),
• $1,000 grant to host a graphic novel-themed event at a library or another community location, and
• $1,000 grant to attend the ALA Annual Conference

In addition, the winning libraries will also receive the following graphic novels valued at approximately $3,000:

• The Will Eisner Library: A graphic novel collection of Will Eisner’s work and biographies about Will Eisner* (approximately 75 books)
• A selection of the winning titles from the current year’s Will Eisner Awards* at Comic-Con International (approximately 100 books).

The grant is administered by ALA’s Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table. More information on the grant and the application process is available online.