The P D James Memorial Fund offers regular payments to a small number of authors who find themselves in financial hardship.

Awards are given by a committee authors who are either aged 60 or over or are completely incapacitated for work.

The fund currently distributes £2,500 per annum to each recipient.

Awards are granted at the discretion of the P.D. James Memorial Fund Committee (formerly the Pension Fund Committee). The Committee consists of the Chair of the Management Committee and six other members, three elected by the Management Committee and three by the members of the SoA.

The Committee considers ‘not only the necessities of the applicant, but also the merit of his or her work; and other matters being equal, long and continuous membership of the Society shall be considered a recommendation’.

It is possible for two members to present an application on behalf of another member if appropriate.

The fund is currently accepting applications. To apply, please download and complete the below form and send to grants@societyofauthors.org or via post to P D James Memorial Fund, Society of Authors, 24 Bedford Row, WC1R 4EH by Friday 29 May, 2026.

If you have any queries, contact Robyn Law in confidence on grants@societyofauthors.org / 020 3880 2230.

Charity number 212401