Screenskills Limited

Charity Number: 1015324

Annual Expenditure: £15.5M
Throughout England And Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland

Contact Info

Website:www.screenskills.com

Phone:020 7713 9800

Email:info@screenskills.com

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £850,000+ (Film Skills Fund 2023/24 alone)
  • Bursary Approvals: 888 approved (from April 2023)
  • Decision Time: Up to 4 weeks
  • Grant Range: £1,000 - £3,000 (individual bursaries)
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide
  • Application Method: Rolling applications year-round

Contact Details

Website: www.screenskills.com

Email: info@screenskills.com | bursaries@screenskills.com

Phone: 020 7713 9800

Pre-application Support: For questions about bursaries, contact bursaries@screenskills.com

Overview

ScreenSkills Limited (Charity No. 1015324) was founded in 1992 as Skillset, rebranding to Creative Skillset before adopting its current name in 2018. As the industry-led skills body for the UK's screen-based creative industries—including film, high-end TV, animation, VFX, games, and immersive technology—ScreenSkills works across the UK with employers, individuals, training providers, trade associations, unions, and government to ensure the screen industries have the skilled workforce they need. The organization manages five Skills Funds (Animation, Children's TV, Film, High-End TV, and Unscripted) funded by voluntary industry contributions. From April 2023, 888 bursary applications were approved, with 63% going to people outside London. ScreenSkills is supported by BFI National Lottery funds and industry contributions to its Skills Funds.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Bursaries (Rolling applications)

  • Entry Level: Up to £1,000 (100% of costs if ≤£1,000)
  • For those just entering the screen industries, working towards first professional credits
  • Early Career: Up to £2,000 (up to 80% of total costs)
  • For those establishing their career with 2+ professional credits
  • Experienced: Up to £3,000 (80% of first £1,250, then 50% above that)
  • 5+ years since leaving education, regularly working in chosen department
  • Expert: Up to £3,000 (same structure as Experienced)
  • 10+ years since leaving education, acknowledged expert in field

What Can Be Funded:

  • Training fees (practical skills courses up to 3 months full-time or 6 months part-time)
  • Equipment (laptops, cameras, editing software—emphasis on second-hand/refurbished)
  • Accommodation (£165/night London, £135/night outside London)
  • Travel (standard/economy class only, home to training site)
  • Care costs (£75/day, max £1,500/year)
  • Disability access support
  • Driving lessons (up to £1,262)
  • Food allowances (£5 breakfast, £10 lunch, £15 dinner)

Priority Areas

Skills Shortage Areas:

  • Leadership and management
  • Virtual production
  • Generative AI and digital technologies
  • VFX and animation
  • Production management
  • Convergent skills (problem-solving, creative thinking, collaboration)

Industry Sectors Supported:

  • Film
  • High-end television drama
  • Animation
  • Children's television
  • Unscripted television
  • VFX (visual effects)
  • Games
  • Immersive media

What They Don't Fund

Excluded Applicants:

  • Actors and performers
  • Those in full-time education (degree level or equivalent)
  • Those working primarily outside the UK screen industries

Excluded Costs:

  • Courses already funded by ScreenSkills (check with training provider first)
  • Academic or theoretical courses without practical application
  • Costs already paid before application
  • Project development or graduation films
  • General living expenses or debt repayment
  • Highest-spec equipment when alternatives available
  • Travel between accommodation and training site (unless disability access)
  • First-class or business-class travel
  • Computer equipment above £800-£1,000 (50% cap applies)

Governance and Leadership

Board Structure: Overseen by up to 16 trustees (reducing to approximately 12), with the Board setting strategic objectives and ensuring alignment with the charity's mission.

Chair: Lisa Opie, Managing Director of Ubisoft Reflections and Ubisoft Leamington studios

CEO: Laura Mansfield, who stated: “One ambition for the year ahead is to unify and amplify – ensuring that the right interventions are pursued and that everybody hears about them. Our role is to be the glue joining the very best training and opportunities to exceptional people across the UK, aligning industry need with individual ambition.”

Notable Trustees:

  • Kate Lyndon: Finance Director for Britbox, Chair of ScreenSkills Finance and Audit Committee
  • Tom Box: Co-founder and Joint Managing Director of Blue Zoo Animation
  • Mel Christie: CEO of Framestore

Strategic Priorities: Mansfield has identified that “Leadership and management is an ongoing, perennial skills gap” while also noting “real interest in AI and virtual production.” She emphasized that “Entry-level programmes are not enough” and stressed ensuring “all talent is equipped with the skills – technical or craft, business or leadership.”

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Submit Application: Complete online application form
  2. Assessment: Applications reviewed by bursary team and assessed by senior manager at final stage

Important: Applications must be submitted before costs are incurred. ScreenSkills cannot fund anything paid for before you apply.

Decision Timeline

  • Decision Time: Up to 4 weeks from submission
  • Additional Information: Timeline may extend if additional information is requested
  • Offer Acceptance: If successful, you must accept the Funding Agreement within 2 weeks or the offer will be withdrawn
  • Notification: Decisions communicated via email

Success Rates

From April 2023, 888 bursary applications were approved. While ScreenSkills “aims to offer funding wherever possible,” they “cannot promise that all applications will be successful” due to limited funding and skills shortage priorities. Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Highly Flexible: Unsuccessful applicants are welcome to reapply at any time—there is no mandatory waiting period.

Appeal Process: If you disagree with a decision, email bursaries@screenskills.com with “Bursary Decision Appeal” in the subject line. Appeals are not accepted for incomplete applications where applicants want to add information after rejection.

Current Bursary Holders: Cannot submit another application until current bursary ends.

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from ScreenSkills

“The application process was super smooth. The guidance on the ScreenSkills website lays out really clearly what you can apply for, what evidence you need to submit and what criteria they check when making a decision on your application.” (Successful applicant testimonial)

Successful Bursary Examples

Elahe Esmaili (Documentary Filmmaker): Funded laptop replacement; her documentary won awards at Visions du Reel and Huesca Film Festival, selected for Sheffield Doc/Fest.

Katie Hudson (Costume Department, The Crown): Driving lessons funding was “life-changing,” enabling her to accept contract roles requiring driving.

Justin Drew (Editor): PC upgrade for editing skills; stated "every project I've worked on would not have been possible without" the bursary-funded computer.

Daniel Dempster (Producer/Director, SAS: Who Dares Wins, First Dates): £3,500 for cameras, lenses, and sound equipment for self-shooting.

Aidan Lynn: Purchased used laptop—ScreenSkills awards greater percentage of funds for second-hand/refurbished equipment to promote sustainability.

Common Reasons for Rejection

  • Not meeting basic eligibility criteria
  • Lack of clear industry ambition or career progression rationale
  • Focus on personal projects rather than professional development
  • Not working in priority roles or skills shortage areas
  • Insufficient demonstration of financial need
  • Poor value-for-money proposals (e.g., requesting highest-spec equipment)
  • Applying for costs already incurred
  • Incomplete applications

Tips for Standing Out

  1. Demonstrate Value-for-Money: Prioritize second-hand/refurbished equipment; avoid requesting highest specifications
  2. Clear Career Progression: Articulate how funding removes specific barriers to advancing in screen industries
  3. Align with Priorities: Connect request to skills shortage areas (leadership, AI, virtual production)
  4. Evidence Financial Barriers: Clearly explain why this funding is essential and cannot be self-funded
  5. Professional Focus: Emphasize professional development over personal projects
  6. Long-term Industry Commitment: Show sustained engagement with UK screen industries
  7. Specific, Costed Plans: Provide detailed quotes and clear timelines for training/equipment use

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Not Traditional Organizational Grants: ScreenSkills primarily funds individuals working in screen industries through bursaries, not organizations seeking project grants
  • Rolling Applications Are Advantageous: Apply year-round when you identify training/equipment needs, but always before incurring costs
  • Career Stage Determines Funding: Accurately assess your career stage (Entry/Early/Experienced/Expert) as this determines maximum funding and percentage coverage
  • Value-for-Money Is Critical: ScreenSkills actively rewards cost-conscious applications, offering higher percentages for second-hand equipment and economical choices
  • Skills Shortage Areas Receive Priority: Align applications with leadership/management, AI, virtual production, and other identified skills gaps
  • Reapplication Is Encouraged: No waiting period for reapplication—revise and resubmit immediately if unsuccessful
  • Geographic Distribution: 63% of approved bursaries go to people outside London, indicating strong support for regional applicants
  • Supported by Industry and BFI: Funding comes from voluntary industry contributions to Skills Funds plus BFI National Lottery funds, creating sustainable funding model

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References