The Sue Passmore Award: Broadening Access to Dance honours the legacy of our former Chair and Trustee and supports innovative projects that broaden access to dance, promote community engagement, and further the Society's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives.

The award offers up to £2,000 to support projects that introduce dance to new communities and encourage continued participation beyond the life of the project. Up to two awards may be made each year. Successful applicants will be expected to share the outcomes and experiences of their project with Society members.

Applications may be submitted by ISTD members based anywhere in the world. Applicants must either hold an active, fully paid ISTD membership at the time of application or commit to activating membership before any award funds are released.

Applications may support new or existing projects. Funding can only be used for eligible project costs incurred after the award outcome has been confirmed. For the 2026/27 application round, project costs should begin no earlier than January 2027.

Please read the full guidance notes before completing this form which can be found on our website.

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Application Timeline for 2026/27:

Applications open: 10 August 2026, 12:00 BST

Applications close: 20 October 2026, 12:00 BST

Shortlisting period: 20 October 2026 to 27 November 2026

Outcomes shared by: 15 December 2026

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Criteria for the award

Applications are assessed on their individual merit and scored against the following criteria: 

1.      An innovative and practical approach to broadening access to dance, with clear evidence of impact.

2.      A detailed and feasible project plan, including a clearly structured timeline.

3.      A comprehensive and realistic budget, costed in the local currency, covering all aspects of the project.

4.      Consideration of how the project could contribute to broadening access to dance in the long term.

5.      A clear commitment to effectively share project outcomes and learning with members.

Information about this application form

Applications must be submitted by 12:00 BST on 20 October 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Before continuing, please confirm that you understand and agree to the following:

1. This application is for the Sue Passmore Award: Broadening Access to Dance and no other ISTD funding programme.
2. Once submitted, applications cannot be edited or resubmitted for this funding round.
3. Incomplete applications, including applications submitted without a project budget, will be ineligible and will not be considered for funding.
4. Funding is released in three stages and evidence of expenditure is required before the second and third payments are released.

Please sign to confirm the following before submitting your application:

1. I confirm that, to the best of my knowledge, the information provided in this application is accurate and complete at the date of submission.

2. I understand that personal information provided as part of this application will be processed in accordance with the ISTD Privacy Policy.

3. I understand that funding is released in three stages and that evidence of expenditure is required before the second and third payments are released.