Unscripted TV bursaries for senior development roles

• Are you at producer level or above in unscripted TV development?
• Are you between contracts or on a short-term contract of less than 6-months?
• Do you want to stay connected with the commissioning landscape?

If the answer to above is “yes”, then the Unscripted TV Skills Fund’s new development bursaries could be for you. We're offering funding of up to £3,000 to ensure you remain connected in one of the fastest moving departments in the unscripted TV industry. We can assist with costs associated with the following:

• Attendance at a UK industry conference, festival, or event 
• Associated costs with attendance of above (e.g. travel, accommodation, childcare, etc.) 
• Subscription to Broadcast Intelligence  
• Subscription to a magazine or journal relevant to your specialism

Please note, our mileage and accommodation rates align with those in the general ScreenSkills bursary guidelines.

Also in line with the general bursary guidelines, we will not consider retrospective applications for support with costs you have already covered.

Unlike the general bursaries, we will not consider applications for support with taxis at the location of an event or conference (unless for access requirements), or for subsistence costs.

Who it's for

This is for anyone at development producer level or above in unscripted TV who, at the time of application, is between contracts or on a contract of less than 6 months. 

Please note, this opportunity is intended to support those not in consistent employment. If you are subject to a rolling contract which has been repeatedly renewed we may seek clarification to determine your eligibility in relation to the second question outlined at the top of this page. Feel free to include additional information in your application related to this, which you believe to be relevant for assessment.

Applications outside of these criteria will not be considered. Please note this is separate to the usual ScreenSkills bursary offering.

How to apply

Click “apply now” at the top of the page.

If you would like support completing the application form and/or would like us to send it to you in an alternative format, please email USF@screenskills.com

When applying, you need to know what specifically you are seeking support for. We will not consider speculative applications that do not list an industry event, associated costs, or a subscription.

You can apply for funding across multiple areas up to £3,000.

As part of your application, you must submit a cost breakdown of the area/s you want to claim using this downloadable template. Applications which do not use this template will be declined. 

If your application includes attendance at an industry conference etc., please do not apply until the tickets or passes are either on sale, or prices have been announced. If the price of an event is not yet known, we will consider this a speculative  application, and you will be declined. Where possible, we’d also ask that you only apply for support with earlybird or freelancer rates if you are eligible for them.

If you are applying for a Broadcast Intelligence subscription, please note that MBI have offered a discounted rate to recipients of these bursaries, and you should list the price in your cost breakdown as £900.

MBI have also offered a discount for a standard Broadcast digital subscription, if you apply for this under “Magazine or other journal relevant to your specialism”, you should list the cost as £225.

As part of your application you will be asked to submit a CV and answer  the following questions:

• We would like to understand any barriers you have faced progressing your career in unscripted TV development. Please use the space below to share your experiences. (Approx. 200 words)
• Please describe how you this event, subscription or skills gap training would benefit your career at this time. (Approx. 350 words)

Please note that only one bursary application per person is permitted.

Judging information

Applications are judged  on a rolling basis, we therefore encourage you to apply as soon as you have identified what you would like support with.

There is limited funding available for this opportunity and no guarantee that all applicants will be successful. If successful you will receive a partial contribution to assist with booking your place on an event, associated costs or subscription. The final part of your bursary is paid  upon proof of purchase. You will not receive the full bursary amount in advance.