Bafta has awarded £270,000 in grants to 100 emerging UK creatives from across the film, games and TV sectors, through its Prince William Bafta Bursary Fund.
It is a 40% rise on the number of recipients who received grants in 2025.
Each of the creatives from across Wales, Scotland, England and Northern Ireland has received up to £2,000 to help cover costs such as training courses, equipment and software, relocation and driving costs. Some 77% of the recipients are based outside of London.
Bafta reports 98% of the 2024 and 2025 awardees agreed the grant enabled them to access career opportunities they otherwise could not have taken up; 88.2% of recipients reported receiving a Bafta bursary significantly boosted their confidence in navigating the industry, while 94.1% said they felt better equipped to secure their next professional role.
The bursary fund is supported by individuals and companies including Celia Imrie, Peter Capaldi, Stephen Merchant, Peter Greengrass and True Brit Entertainment.
“There’s so much talent out there, but getting a start in our industries is really tough. People from every background should have the chance to tell their stories and help shape what we see on screen,” said Greengrass.
Previous recipients have gone on to work for major film, games and television productions for companies including A24, BBC, Disney+, EA, and Netflix.
“Bafta is passionate about the need to invest in fresh talent that the future of our industries relies on,” said Bafta’s deputy chair Hilary Rosen, who hosted a special breakfast at Bafta for the recipients.
Additionally, Bafta has named its 2026 UK Bafta Scholars, who will receive up to £12,000 in funding towards tuition fees or living costs, in addition to mentoring and free access to Bafta’s year-round events. The scholarship programme is supported by The Reuben Foundation and Bafta patrons.
2026 UK scholars:
Christopher Loat, National Film and Television School, BAFTA Reuben scholar, MA sound design for film and TV
Chloe Lamb, Falmouth University, Reuben scholar, MA film and television
Hamzah Ali, Staffordshire University, Reuben scholar, MA games art
Sophie Hogan, Drama Studio London, Bafta scholarship, BA (Hons) Professional Acting
Ava Rogerson, Norwich University of the Arts (NUA), Bafta scholarship, BA games art and design
Meanwhile, Bafta North America has also announced its 2026 scholars who will receive funding packages of up to $60,000 to support studying at US institutions. The scholarships are divided into Piggott and Fulbright scholarships (open to UK and Northern Ireland students), the Ben Jorgensen Scholarship (open to applicants of all nationalities) and the Bafta Bridge Scholarship (open to US students).
2026 US scholars:
Abdullah Khan - Bafta Ben Jorgensen scholarship, Columbia University for an MFA in film.
Alex Darby - Pigott/Bafta scholarship, Stanford University for an MFA in documentary film.
İlayda McIntosh - Pigott/Bafta scholarship, New York University Tisch School of the Arts for an MFA in dramatic writing.
Róise Nic an Bheatha - Fulbright-Bafta scholarship and the Pigott/Bafta scholarship, School of Visual Arts for an MA in film directing.
Sebastian Wright - Pigott/Bafta scholarship, Columbia University for an MS in documentary.
Sarvin Shakib - Pigott/Bafta scholarship, New York University Tisch School of the Arts for a graduate film degree
Elena Moreno - Bafta Bridge scholarship, Loyola Marymount University for a BA in film, television, and media studies
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