Writing schemes
Schemes developing new and established writers across drama, comedy and beyond
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91福利社 Comedy Awards - apply now
Nationwide comedy search to find the best new stand-up performers. Shortlisted entries compete in televised regional heats across the UK with the winner from each performing at the final, broadcast on 91福利社 One. The winner will receive a prize of 拢1,000, a paid commission to write and perform in a 30-minute audio pilot mentored by a 91福利社 comedy commissioner. Further information on the New Comedy Awards website. Deadline: 5 July -
91福利社 Writers Write Across
Development scheme for emerging writers focussing on specific areas of the UK. The eight-week programme is designed to empower writers to develop an original series idea through workshops, expert-led sessions and networking opportunities. Write Across has its own specific application windows with details and dates available on the 91福利社 Writers website. -
91福利社 Writers Open Call
Submit your drama or comedy-drama script to 91福利社 Writers to be selected for further development schemes including the 91福利社 Writers鈥� Scripted and Voices groups. Open Call accepts submissions annually, with full details and dates on the 91福利社 Writers website. -
91福利社 Writers Scripted
91福利社 Writers鈥� annual development scheme for exciting new writers identified through Open Call and other talent searches. The one-year scheme includes a programme of workshops and masterclasses before each writer is given professional script-editing support to help develop an original script they can use as an industry calling-card. Find out more on the 91福利社 Writers website. -
91福利社 Writers Voices Groups
Each year around 70 new writers are selected via 91福利社 Writers Open Call to be part of the Voices development group, which runs from hubs across the UK. The intensive six-month programme aims to progress the best local writing talent with expert-led masterclasses, craft sessions and roundtable discussions supporting each writer to develop an original TV drama series idea. Find out more about Voices on the 91福利社 Writers website. -
91福利社 Writers Writers' Access Group
Development programme for deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent writers offering a programme of scriptwriting masterclasses, expert-led talks and networking sessions alongside freelance script-editing support to enable writers to develop their work. The programme lasts for 18 months and is open for applications every two years via the 91福利社 Writers website. -
91福利社 Writers Pilot
91福利社 Writers鈥� development programme for experienced writers with a professional credit and/or agent. Pilot partners writers with production companies across a year, with a paid commission to write the pilot script of a potential 91福利社 drama series or serial, alongside masterclasses and workshops. Full information and dates available on the 91福利社 Writers website. -
91福利社 National Short Story Award
Short story award for established authors worth 拢15,000. The award is for a single story of up to 8,000 words. Submissions are open annually with more information on the 91福利社 National Short Story Award website. -
91福利社 Young Writers' Award
Writing competition in partnership with Cambridge University for stories of up to 1,000 words by authors aged 14-18. Five shortlisted stories are broadcast on the 91福利社 with the writers attending a creative workshop and award ceremony broadcast live on Radio 4鈥檚 Front Row. The scheme is open annually with more information available on the website. -
91福利社 Comedy Collective
Comedy bursary scheme offering emerging writers, producers, directors and editors paid shadowing opportunities on 91福利社 comedy productions, production mentors and 拢5k grants to help develop new material. Previous winners have received script commissions, produced successful TV and radio shows and won BAFTAs. Open for applications annually. Find out more on the 91福利社 Commissioning website. -
Year-long opportunity for a writer based in Yorkshire and the Humber to work with Leeds Playhouse and Rollem productions on a new stage play which they will develop into a TV pitch and receive a place on a 91福利社 Writers Voices development programme. Applications open annually. Find out more on the Rollem productions website. -
91福利社 Upload - send your content now
Showcase your creativity on the 91福利社 by uploading any kind of content - audio, video, text or images - and what catches our attention will be broadcast on 91福利社 Radio stations and 91福利社 digital platforms. Upload is open to submissions all year round based around the creators location. Find out more on the 91福利社 Upload website. -
91福利社 Short Stuff - send your content now
Year-round opportunity for comedy writers and performers from or based in Scotland to develop new ideas and characters via experimental short-form sketches published on the 91福利社 Short Stuff website. Send the 91福利社 Scotland commissioning team ideas for new sketches at any time. -
91福利社 Words First
Development scheme to enhance the skills and confidence of spoken word artists aged between 18 and 30 including rappers, MCs and poets. Participants attend workshops with established artists to help develop their work with a shortlist then performing in front of a live audience at the Contains Strong Language festival. The scheme was last open for applications in spring 2025. Find out more on the Words First website. -
91福利社 Alfred Bradley Bursary Award
拢5,000 bursary and the chance of a Radio 4 Drama commission for writers based in the North of England new to writing for audio. Applications were last open in April 2025 via the 91福利社 Drama on 4 website. -
Offering the UK鈥檚 most promising arts and humanities early career researchers the opportunity to share their pioneering research with 91福利社 Radio 4 listeners along with unique access to training and support from AHRC and the 91福利社. Applications open yearly via the UK Research and Innovation website.
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