Spotify is launching a new initiative aimed at promoting mental health awareness and ending stigma by awarding $50,000 in grants to authors of unpublished stories that feature “exceptional depictions” of mental health. The initiative, called the Spotify x JED Impact Award, is a collaboration with The Black List, a platform that connects filmmakers and writers with industry professionals, and The Jed Foundation (JED), a nonprofit organization dedicated to suicide prevention for teens and young adults.
The award will provide $10,000 grants to five authors of unpublished manuscripts that offer diverse and impactful portrayals of mental health. The goal is to expand the narrative around mental health in fiction, Spotify said in its announcement. The company will also waive fees for up to 140 writers, offering them a free month of hosting and evaluation on The Black List platform, which serves as a launchpad for emerging talent in the industry.
As part of the initiative, Spotify is providing additional resources to writers, including a special hub developed in collaboration with JED. The hub will offer guidance on writing about mental health while also supporting the authors’ own well-being. Awardees will also receive one-on-one consulting sessions with JED.
Submissions for the Spotify x JED Impact Award are open from February 12 on The Black List’s website, and manuscripts can be submitted globally (in English) until July 8, 2025. A panel of judges from Spotify, The Black List, and JED, along with other literary experts, will review the submissions. The five winning authors will be announced on October 10, 2025, which is recognized as World Mental Health Day.
Casey Acierno, Spotify’s social impact lead, expressed excitement about the initiative, saying, “Stories about mental health have immense power to erase stigma and help people get the help that they need. We’re thrilled to partner with The Black List and JED to uplift unpublished manuscripts with meaningful depictions of mental health.”
Randy Winston, the creative director of fiction at The Black List, praised the partnership, commenting, “Spotify and JED are important stewards of programming that creates meaningful impact. I’m excited to amplify exceptional depictions of mental health in fiction through this initiative.”
Courtney Knowles, senior media advisor for JED, highlighted the power of fiction to shape our understanding of mental health, stating, “Narratives in fiction have a very real impact on our mental health. They help shape how we see ourselves, navigate challenges, and discover possibilities for healing and growth. JED is proud to partner on this initiative to celebrate and inspire unpublished novels that foster connection and emotional well-being.”
The Spotify x JED Impact Award aims to not only recognize talented authors but also to foster a broader cultural shift towards more nuanced, inclusive discussions around mental health.
