Q: How do I know if I’m eligible?
A: You can check the eligibility guidelines on the WNDB Internship Grant webpage, or you can contact us here with questions.

Q: How do you define “diverse background”?
A: We define “diverse background” according to our mission statement:
We recognize all diverse experiences, including (but not limited to) LGBTQIA, Native, people of color, gender diversity, people with disabilities*, and ethnic, cultural, and religious minorities.

*We subscribe to a broad definition of disability, which includes but is not limited to physical, sensory, cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities, chronic conditions, and mental illnesses (this may also include addiction). Furthermore, we subscribe to a social model of disability, which presents disability as created by barriers in the social environment, due to lack of equal access, stereotyping, and other forms of marginalization.

Q: How is eligibility vetted and approved?
A: You’ll need to provide a copy of the offer letter you received from your publisher. With regard to diversity, we trust our applicants to provide information that is honest and accurate. We fully respect any and all laws relating to privacy, and therefore do not request access to any confidential demographic information collected by other institutions (such as publisher HR departments).

Q: How do I apply?
A: Application guidelines are available on the WNDB Internship Grant webpage.

Q: Do I need to accept an internship offer before applying, or just apply for one?
A: You may apply for a WNDB Internship Grant while you simultaneously apply to partner publishers and/or literary agencies. You may also apply after you have received an offer. Your application will not be read until we receive an offer letter from one of our partner publishers and/or literary agencies, and therefore, if you apply for the grant before you obtain an internship, be sure to return to your application to attach the offer letter.

Q: Will letters of recommendation improve my chances of receiving a grant?
A: No. Please do not include any supplemental materials that aren’t explicitly listed in the application guidelines.

Q: How will I be allowed to use this grant? Are there limitations?
A: There are no limitations, but we encourage you to use the grant funding for travel and living expenses directly related to your internship.

Q: Do I need to track and submit expenses?
A: No, but we may ask you to write a letter describing your use of the grant funds at the conclusion of your internship.

Q: How will I receive the money?
A: The grant money will be sent to you in a single check after: 

1. You’ve formally accepted an internship, 
2. we’ve confirmed your acceptance with the publisher via your offer letter, 
3. the Internship Grant Committee has selected you as a grant recipient based on your application, and 
4. we’ve confirmed your phone number, the name you use for your bank (i.e., who to write the check out to), and the address you wish the check to be sent.

Q: I have been offered a paid internship with a publisher but my publisher isn’t listed as a partner. Can I still apply for the WNDB Internship Grant?
A: No. However, if the publisher submits a request to WNDB before March 31st and agrees to the Partner terms of WNDB, they can become a partner, subject to review by the WNDB Internship Grant Committee. You can then apply. We’re collaborating very closely with our partner publishers, and our priority is ensuring those partnerships receive the degree of attention and energy they deserve. Note that the internship must be with a children’s imprint of our partner publishers.

Q: I have been offered a paid internship with a literary agency who is not listed as a partner. Can I still apply for the grant?
A: No. However, if the agency submits a request to WNDB before March 31st and agrees to the Partner terms of WNDB, they can still be a partner, subject to review by the WNDB Internship Grant Committee. You can then apply. For a literary agency internship to be eligible, interns must spend at least 50% of their time working on children’s books. Agencies who charge up-front fees to their clients are not eligible. We reserve the right to review all internship offers from agencies and determine eligibility. 

Q: How soon will I know if I’m receiving a grant?
A: We evaluate all applications in May and will alert recipients as soon as possible. 

Q: Do I have to pay taxes on the grant money?
A: We can’t advise you on the taxability of your grant, so we encourage you to consult a qualified tax preparation professional. 

Q: What if I get a grant but need to defer my internship for a year?
A: You’ll need to forgo the grant and reapply for a WNDB Internship Grant next year.