Coaching career accelerator 2025

To mark International Women’s Day, ScreenSkills is launching a bursary programme supported by The Adobe Foundation to empower women from minority ethnic backgrounds in the screen industries.

The IWD 2025 campaign theme, Accelerate Action, highlights the urgency of achieving gender equality. At the current rate, full gender parity is projected to take until 2158 — approximately five generations — according to the World Economic Forum. This bursary programme aims to help accelerate progress by supporting underrepresented women in the screen sector.

As part of ScreenSkills’ wider commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, the initiative will provide financial support for coaching and career development, helping to break down barriers and foster greater inclusion in the industry.

Read more about the background to the bursary here.

Find more information here on how and why ScreenSkills' collects and monitors your information in relation to diversity and inclusion.

This bursary is supported by ScreenSkills in partnership with The Adobe Foundation.

Who it's for

Successful applicants for the bursary must meet the following criteria: 

• be a woman
• be from a minority ethnic group
• be at a mid-level in your career (a minimuum of five years experience in industry)
• be currently working or aspiring to return (e.g. after maternity leave or a career break) as a freelancer in animation, children's TV, film, HETV or unscripted TV

If you require an alternative format of the application form, or have any questions about this bursary, please contact bursaries@screenskills.com.

These new bursaries complements ScreenSkills wider bursaries offer available through our website and also further underlines our commitment to supporting professionals from under-represented communities.

If this opportunity does not suit, or you do not meet the criteria, please visit our main bursaries page for information on the other funding that might be available to you.

What it covers

Covering the cost of career coaching, the bursary will help recipients develop their skills, expand their networks and navigate career pathways in the screen industries. Coaching can be transformative, equipping individuals with the confidence and strategic guidance to progress in their careers and move into leadership roles.

Up to £1000 is available to each successful applicant. This can be put towards a programme of coaching designed to focus on specific career goals. All coaching programmes must booked with accredited coaching professionals (ScreenSkills can provide suggestions, but you are welcome to make your own arrangements with professionals who meet the accreditation criteria) and funds will only be released on production of supporting evidence.

In order to apply for this bursary, you will need do some initial research to support your application and better understand how coaching could be of benefit to you and your career. You will need to have identified an  accredited coach and have had a preliminary conversation with them to identify a suggested coaching plan to meet your needs alongside a quote for the services.

A minimum of one bursary will be available for each of ScreenSkills' Skills Funds: Animation, Children’s TV, Film, High-end TV and Unscripted TV.

How to apply

Please click 'apply now' to complete the application form so your eligibility can be assessed. You must be signed in to your ScreenSkills profile in order to apply.

Contact information

Email: bursaries@screenskills.com