'Supercharged' bursaries and grants available

The BBC’s comedy department has revamped and expanded its schemes  to develop new comedy talent.

Existing writing bursaries set up in memory of Felix Dexter, Caroline Aherne and Galton & Simpson are being folded into a new 'supercharged' scheme called The BBC Comedy Collective, which will now also seek directing and producing talent.

Meanwhile, the broadcaster has announced a new BBC Comedy Grants scheme to help companies and other organisations help support growth and access opportunity in comedy across the UK.

The BBC Comedy Collective will be offering 10 places to the next generation of writers, producers and directors who would like to develop their careers in scripted comedy.

It is not an entry-level opportunity but will be open to anyone who has had at least one previous credit in any genre and across any platform, including TV, radio, theatre, podcasts, stand-up, short films or commercials.

Each bursary winner will receive up to £10,000 worth of paid shadowing on a BBC comedy production, along with an allocated mentor and a £5,000 development grant to put towards new material at the end of the placement.

They will also be assigned a BBC comedy commissioner to help guide them through their year, as well as access to the Comedy Collective team.

That includes representatives of the estates behind the former bursaries:   Geoff Schuman and Paul Whitehouse (for Felix Dexter), Tessa Le Bars and the Galton Family (for Galton & Simpson), Lucy Ansbro (for Caroline Aherne) plus the new producer and director representatives, Ash Atalla and Christine Gernon, and the alumni of previous BBC bursary winners, who include the likes of Sophie Willan, Athena Kugblenu and Amy Gledhill.

Schuman said: ‘The BBC continues to be a fantastic creative partner in continuing the legacy of several famous comedians who have sadly passed away. They have been magnificent in their efforts to supporting the works of Felix Dexter and ensuring that his abilities will be remembered for generations.’

Ansbro added: ‘Caroline Aherne’s estate is honoured to stand alongside the powerhouse of creative talents that forms the new BBC Comedy Collective.  The Corporation has always been front and centre when it comes to nurturing comedy talent from all walks of life and long may it continue.’

The bursary winners will have their expenses covered to attend up to three BBC comedy events over their year on the scheme, including the BBC Comedy Festival taking place in Cardiff in May, as well as access to bespoke training and personal development opportunities.

Of the 10 places, at least one will be guaranteed for someone based in  each of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and Newcastle (the BBC’s 2022 City of Comedy) and BBC Comedy will actively be encouraging applications from individuals from diverse and underrepresented groups.

Meanwhile the BBC Comedy Grants scheme  is aimed at small organisations, groups or projects which are doing ‘targeted comedy outreach’ across the UK with the same regional promises as for the bursaries. Ten grants of £5,000 will be available.

The BBC said: ‘The grants are not for individuals to develop a project, or production companies developing ideas, but exclusively for outreach and inclusion activity with comedy.’

Jon Petrie, director of comedy at the BBC said: ‘BBC Comedy is renowned worldwide for finding and nurturing some of the most brilliant writers and performers working in television and film today.

‘The BBC Comedy Collective is a commitment to help ensure this remains the case and cast the net wider to include off screen talent such as directors and producers, who are often the unsung heroes of our most cherished shows.’

More information on the scheme will be available via https://www.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/comedy/ Applications open on Monday  January 9.

Published: 19 Dec 2022