Funding opportunities

In addition to our training programmes and short courses, the Unscripted TV Skills Fund has a number of additional funding opportunities open to companies and individuals that also address industry skill shortages that have been identified as a priority by the unscripted TV industry through our research and by employers on the Unscripted TV Skills Council and industry working groups.

The four judges on the Strictly Come Dancing panel awarding scores
Image: Strictly Come Dancing 2025 (C) BBC, Guy Levy

Bursaries for senior development roles

In an effort to support the career progression of those at development producer level or above, 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 attendance at a UK industry conference, festival or event, subscriptions to industry research publications, and subscriptions to magazines or journals relevant to your specialism.

Apply here

Contestable Fund

This fund is intended to support third-party training programmes where the Unscripted TV Skills Fund would be a minority funder and amplify successful training in key shortage areas.

We can fund up to 49% of a project’s total costs, up to a maximum per project of £25,000. We can also provide soft commitment of minority funding, to enable majority funding to be sought.

This fund is not tied to our commissioning cycles and is open for applications all year round. Applications will be assessed on bi-monthly basis, by a cross-industry working group. Please note that we are not currently accepting applications for entry-level programmes.

Apply here

Make the Cut

A new professional development programme from the Unscripted TV Skills Fund, aimed at helping productions and post houses provide on-the-job training and progression for edit assistants (or equivalent level) to make the step up to junior editor for the first time.

UK unscripted productions which would otherwise not be able to offer the opportunity to step up are encouraged to apply for this support. As part of the support, the production will be expected to nominate someone who can mentor and support the new junior editor on the production.

Productions can apply for up to £15,000 per person, and may apply to step up more than one person.

Apply here

Make a Move

A continuing professional development programme, aimed at helping production companies support on-the-job training and progression for those at mid to senior level stepping up into a role that is new to them.

UK unscripted production companies which would otherwise not be able to offer the opportunity to step up are encouraged to apply for this support. As a condition of funding, the production company will be expected to nominate someone who can mentor and support the Make a Mover.

Production companies can apply for up to £15,000 per person.

Apply here

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