Self-led Projects 2026

Self-led Projects 2026

Deadline: Friday 18th September 2026, 1pm
Every year we support projects generated and led by playwrights themselves. This support is self-designed and delivered and most suitable for playwrights who have had experience of professional practise.

We consider this to be artists who have had at least two professional productions paid at industry rates. We regularly advertise other opportunities to work with us that are a better match for playwrights with less experience.
All fields marked with * are required and must be filled.
- The selection panel is a mixture of Playwrights' Studio staff and artists.
  
  When selecting projects, the panel looks at how the support will enable you to pursue a project that you have a strong artistic instinct to explore without focusing on the ultimate outcome. They will also consider whether your proposed budget and timeline are realistic. Since Playwrights' Studio does not produce work, the panel does not evaluate the feasibility of producing any eventual play emerging from this work, but on whether this support would help you to further develop the concept or complete a phase of research. As a result, Self-led Projects allow artists to explore areas they may otherwise struggle to find space or funding to develop.
  
  The panel considers:
  - How the support will allow you to do something you wouldn't otherwise be able to
  - How it will contribute to the development of your playwriting craft
  - How realistic the budget and timescale you propose is. Playwrights' Studio pays recommended industry rates for everyone involved in projects
  - The possible outcome or benefit to you as a playwright
- Application Form
- In what format are you applying:
- The application form has been updated to reflect that you are applying by video. Please complete the sections below. Full details on how to apply via video are found in the About You section.
- I confirm:
- Have you had at least two professional productions?
- In what areas do you feel you'll need support to deliver this work? This will not prejudice your application but help us set aside the right resources if you should be successful.
- Name
  
  First NameLast Name
- Address
  
  Street Address
  
  Street Address 2
  
  Town / CityCounty
  
  Postcode
- Email
  example@example.com
- Phone Number
- Please let us know of any communication or other access requirements we should be aware of in order to support your participation in Self-led Projects.
- If you would prefer to upload an access rider, you can do so here.
  
  Cancelof
- Please upload a CV detailing your writing career as a playwright to date
  
  Cancelof
- In your video, please tell us:
  - About your project idea and why you would like to be considered. How will the support allow you to do something you wouldn't otherwise be able to?
  - What kind of collaborators would you like to work with on this project? If you have someone specific in mind, please tell us about them below. If not, simply let us know the roles or types of collaborators you’d like us to help you find.*
  - What language you will be using (English, Gaelic, Scots, British Sign Language)
  - The proposed costs of your project. This does not have to be detailed but it needs to indicate the likely costs of the project. All collaborators should be paid at Playwrights' Studio day rate.
  - The proposed timescale of your project. All projects should be completed within 12 months.
  Please include any other information you would like the panel to know about you as part of your application. The Equalities Form completed as part of this application is processed separately and anonymously and therefore cannot be considered as part of your submission. However, if there have been barriers to your development that you consider to be important for your application, please feel free to include that information as part of the video.
- Please include a link to your video below
  Suggested length: Five minutes
- Tell us about your project idea and why you would like to be considered. How will the support allow you to do something you wouldn't otherwise be able to?
  Maximum 500 words
- What kind of collaborators would you like to work with on this project? If you have someone specific in mind, please tell us about them below. If not, simply let us know the roles or types of collaborators you’d like us to help you find.
  End of Project Reporting: Upon completion of the Self-led Project, you will be asked to write a short report. This could be written (no more than an A4 page) or a short video extract. This may be shared with our funders or used as part of future promotion.
- What language(s) will you be using?
- Provide a proposed budget for your project.
  This does not have to be detailed but it needs to indicate the likely costs of the project. When preparing your budget, playwrights and all collaborators should be paid £200 per day for their work. For UK travel, our per diem rate is £35.84 per day.
- You may use the budget template below to help you prepare your budget, if you wish.
- Provide a proposed timescale of your project.
- Tell us anything else about yourself you feel is relevant to your application.
- Confirmation
  
  By submitting this form, you confirm that all information supplied is accurate and complies with the Terms and Conditions and Acceptable Use Policy of Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland.
- Your Privacy
  
  The information supplied in your application will be processed in accordance with current Data Protection legislation. A digital copy of this form will be shared with the selection panel in order for them to read your submission as part of this process. A digital copy of this form will be stored on Microsoft OneDrive, an internet-based data storage system. Microsoft is signed up to the EU-US Privacy Shield. No hard copy of this form will be retained. See our Privacy Policy for full details of why and how we process your personal data and your rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
- Should be Empty:

Self-led Projects 2026

Application Form