Access and Support
Screen Scotland is committed to offering clear and accessible application processes that are open to everyone. We have several ways of supporting you to make your application.
Alternative Formats and Languages
Our published materials, including funding guidance and application forms, can be made available in other formats as required. We can accept applications and supporting materials written in English, Gaelic or Scots.
To request materials in other formats or languages, contact our Enquiries Service by emailing: [email protected]
If you are a d/Deaf BSL user, you can access our services with the Contact Scotland-BSL programme. Visit www.contactscotland-bsl.org for more information.
Access Support to make an application
We can help cover the cost of services that support you in applying for our funding.
Access support is available to individuals or lead applicants of groups, who are defined as disabled under the Equality Act 2010, with characteristics such as being:
d/Deaf
Hard of hearing
Disabled or living with chronic or mental illness
Neurodivergent (e.g. dyslexia, autism or ADHD).
To find out what support is available, and how to request it, please visit the Access Support section of our website.
If you have any questions, email us at: [email protected]
Contacting our Enquiries Service
If you require technical support, further information or have any other queries, contact our Enquiries Service by emailing: [email protected]
About Screen Scotland
Screen Scotland drives the development of Scotland’s film and TV industry, through funding, strategic support and advocacy.
We were established in 2018 as part of Creative Scotland and deliver these services and support with funding from the Scottish Government and The National Lottery.
Screen Scotland’s vision is to cultivate creatively ambitious and economically sustainable film, television and wider screen content sectors in Scotland, which provide fulfilling jobs and opportunities for people across the country, at all stages of their careers.
We work to develop Scotland’s creative potential as a filmmaking nation and as an originator of distinctive films, television programmes and content enjoyed by audiences the world over.
Discover more in our Strategy to 2023/31 .
Sector Context
The UK’s film, television and wider screen content production landscape is undergoing profound structural change, driven by shifts in audience behaviour, commissioning models, monetisation models (across multiple platforms) and the rapid convergence of traditional broadcasting with digital-first content ecosystems.
Alongside uncertainty surrounding the future funding capability and remit of public service broadcasting, the continued rise of global streaming platforms and the emergence of creator-led distribution models, with platforms such as YouTube increasingly functioning as mainstream television services for younger audiences, are reshaping how screen content is developed, financed, distributed and monetised.
Against this backdrop, Screen Scotland’s Strategy to 2030/31 sets out an ambitious vision for sustainable economic growth across Scotland’s screen sector, with particular emphasis on building the scale, resilience and international competitiveness of Scotland-based film and television screen businesses.
This new Business Development Programme will operate in tandem with other business and market development support provided by Screen Scotland and, where appropriate, in coordination with Scotland’s enterprise and economic development agencies, including Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and South of Scotland Enterprise.
To date, elements of Screen Scotland’s business development support for Scotland’s screen sector have been offered through FOCUS .
About this Opportunity
Screen Scotland works to support Scotland’s film, television and wider screen content producers to thrive in this evolving UK and global market context. As such, we are seeking proposals to provide a range of business development services to meet the needs of Scotland-based film, television and wider screen content production companies and post-production facilities.
This programme will offer a range of activity to support emerging, scaling and more established companies. It will provide support for business growth, market readiness, audience development, revenue diversification and the long-term sustainability of company income streams across film, television and emerging digital content markets.
What are we looking for in a delivery partner?
We are seeking a delivery partner capable of developing and evolving the programme in response to changing industry conditions and future market opportunities. The delivery partner will be an organisation or a partnership between organisations.
The activity will include listening and responding to industry needs, identifying gaps in current provision and anticipating future business support requirements arising from structural changes within the screen sector, including shifts in public service broadcasting, international financing models, digital distribution and creator-led content economies.
The successful delivery partner will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of both traditional film and television business models and emerging opportunities across digital and multi-platform content ecosystems.
The programme will be identified in all communications issued by the delivery partner as a Screen Scotland initiated programme, delivered in open and regular communication with Screen Scotland. This communication will include regular monthly meetings with the Head of Business and Market Development, the Head of Unscripted, the Head of Scripted and/or Screen Scotland officers responsible for monitoring programme delivery and impact.
Who will this programme support?
The Business Development Programme will be designed for Scotland-based production companies, who are managed and controlled by a senior team based in Scotland.
Production companies are those companies developing IP and producing film and television content (live action and animated, scripted and unscripted) for cinema theatrical release or release via broadcaster or streaming service, including companies developing audience-facing content and intellectual property across emerging online and creator-led platforms.
Key outputs of the programme
The Business Development Programme will comprise expert advice and focused development activities which can be offered and accessed dependent on the needs of each individual company.
We expect the delivery partner to develop the Business Development Programme in consultation with Screen Scotland, alongside regularly engaging and developing relationships with key organisations such as Scottish Enterprise Agencies (Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise), Business Gateways, Department of Business and Trade, Scottish Development International, Pact and other relevant industry, broadcaster, and platform partners.
These outputs may include, but are not limited to:
Consultancies
Available to all eligible companies on rolling basis, based on business requirement established through joint programme provider and Screen Scotland discussion with company and assessment of needs and/or gaps.
The delivery partner should have a pool of expert consultants to be established and readied, covering areas such as:
Company development:
Business structure and planning
Project and company financing
General business management
Legal and contracting
HR and Talent management
Project development:
Creative development
Project financing
Film sales and distribution
Selling to commissioners
Working with international distributors
PR and marketing
Audience development strategy.
Digital platform business development:
Digital, creator-led and multi-platform business development, audience growth and rights management
Audience strategy, discoverability and direct-to-consumer engagement
Multi-platform strategy, including emerging broadcaster and creator-economy distribution models
Data, analytics and audience insight.
Specialised business skills development
Available to smaller cohorts of eligible companies. This will be delivered as a series of accelerator labs, which will provide concentrated business development opportunities. Learning, consultancy and development should go deeper to clear-cut areas of sector; relevant business development across time-limited periods.
As part of this strand, there should be areas of focus that reflect current and emerging business and sector needs within the evolving UK and international screen marketplace, such as:
Business and legal affairs
Digital transformation
Financing
International partnership and co-production models
International ales and distribution
Multi-platform IP exploitation and audience monetisation
Creator-economy and digital-first business models
Rights strategy and revenue diversification
AI, workflows and operational innovation.
Market preparation (TV and film, domestic and international)
This strand will comprise of a series of information and training sessions developed and delivered in partnership with Screen Scotland. Aiming to support companies to strategically plan market attendance across a year, it will be scheduled to complement ;the annual cycle of key markets and festivals and funding support available (such as the Screen Scotland Market and Festival Attendance Fund ).
This should include sessions and consultation with key sales agents, distributors, commissioners, programmers and channels/platforms, with a mix of direct and one-to-many opportunities for companies.
It should cover:
A review and interrogation of slate of projects, based on current industry knowledge and with Screen Scotland input
Assessment of and advice on prevailing market conditions, including shifts in public service broadcasting, streaming commissioning trends and emerging platform opportunities
Commissioner, platform and buyer relationships across broadcaster, streaming and digital markets
Audience and platform positioning strategies for projects and companies
Finance planning
International co-production, partnership working
International finance, tax credits
Sales and distribution strategy
Festival distribution strategy
Small grants pilot
Scoping and development for a small grants pilot for business development exploration, positioned as a Follow Up Fund .
These grants will be for businesses which have previously received consultancies, labs or other support through the programme and have identified opportunities for sustainable growth, market expansion, new revenue generation or business model innovation.
The successful delivery partner will be responsible for administering and managing this pilot fund, with Screen Scotland supporting with reviewing and assessing applications.
Budget and Timeline
Budget
Up to £250,000 per year is available for this programme, provided by Screen Scotland, funded through The National Lottery.
Funding will be awarded initially on an 18-month basis, with activity starting in October 2026. The intention is to then extend for an additional 12 months (subject to satisfactory performance, operations, programme delivery and funding availability).
Additional funding or in-kind support would be advantageous, although it is not essential and proposals that are fully funded through Screen Scotland will be considered if the rationale is exceptionally strong.
Timeline
Guidance published and applications open
Wednesday 29 July 2026
Application deadline
5pm, Wednesday 26 August 2026
Notification of interview
Confirmed with successful applicants
Interviews
Confirmed with successful applicants
Decisions
September 2026
Activity start date
October 2026
Eligibility criteria
Who can apply?
Organisations and/or partnerships between organisations, who are legally constituted and based (managed and controlled) in Scotland for the duration of the programme
Organisations should be incorporated in Scotland and managed/controlled at the most senior level within Scotland
Partnerships and consortium proposals between organisations are welcome and providers may sub-contract elements of the services offered, as long as the lead applicant is based in Scotland per previous criterion.
We are seeking a delivery partner who can:
Provide analysis and triage of a company’s development ambitions, needs and potential for growth
Interrogate and enhance a company’s business development plan
Facilitate expert and sector-specific consultancy services across a range of business areas
Advise and connect participants to support engagement with international, SVOD and emerging markets
Work closely with Screen Scotland as this initiative is part of Screen Scotland’s wider business development strategy and range of support.
The successful delivery partner will have:
A proven track record of delivering successful, industry-standard, business development projects within the UK, ideally within Scotland’s film and high-end TV (HETV) production sector
For partner organisations from outside Scotland, the ability to demonstrate how they will work with key individuals and organisations based in Scotland to achieve the best outcomes for the project
Organisational infrastructure to deliver broad range of activities
The relevant expertise, ambition, sector experience and connections to provide expert, market-knowledgeable advice and support for screen businesses
A demonstratable understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and the ability to embed Creative Scotland’s Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion priority within their programme and ways of working
A demonstratable understanding of how to deliver activity in an environmentally responsible manner and the ability to embed Creative Scotland’s Environmental Sustainability priority within their programme and ways of working
Engagement with Fair Work , including Dignity at Work , within the programme
A clear understanding that the initiatives described above have been developed by Screen Scotland to address the aims and objectives set out in Screen Scotland’s Strategy to 2030/31.
In your proposal, we would value sector endorsement and evidence of need to inform how these outputs would be achieved. We anticipate ongoing conversations with the sector, and revising and refreshing the programme in response to this as appropriate.
Deliverables
The delivery partner will be expected to:
Deliver a structured, accessible programme to develop company business skills with a Scotland-wide reach
Create a database of production companies and producers within Scotland’s screen sector with profile of key activity (subject to GDPR and Data Protection Laws)
Have a system of tracking of positive outcomes for companies (e.g. funding secured, commissions, market opportunities, business growth)
Ensure participation from and support of companies outside Scotland’s Central Belt.
Provide an annual evaluation of the programme and key activities.
In addition, Screen Scotland will also require the following:
Regular project updates, including written quarterly reports
Representation on selection panels
Approval of any sub-contractors and third-party finance, prior to entering into agreements
Recognition of Screen Scotland National Lottery Funds through prominent accreditation across the whole programme
This includes use of relevant logos on marketing materials/websites and through agreed verbal/written acknowledgement on press releases and social media
Alignment with Creative Scotland’s priorities on Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion , Environmental Sustainability Strategic Priority , and Fair Work , which includes Dignity at Work .
How to apply
To apply, please read this guidance in full and send the following documents to [email protected]
Narrative proposal (3-4 A4 pages)
Referencing the programme aims, outcomes and outputs above
Budget and Funding Plan
Noting any other sources of conditional funding
Management Structure
Timeline and Activity Plan
Risk Management Register
EDI plan
Applications close at 5pm on Wednesday 26 August 2026.
We encourage all applicants to contact Screen Scotland’s Head of Business and Market Development before submitting your application. Please contact our Enquiries Service by email and you will be directed from there: [email protected]
Narrative Proposal
Provide your proposal of up to 4 pages, explaining your vision for the Business Development Programme in line with the guidance and key outcomes detailed above.
Budget and Funding Plan
Provide a budget and funding plan for the programme and overheads (including staff salaries) ensuring this is balanced and realistic.
Management Structure
Explain how you plan to deliver each element of the programme, including management and contracting, and whether these resources are already in place or to be established
Include information on the track record of key personnel within your organisation/who will work on this programme.
Include information on any roles you would be recruiting for this programme, both salaried and freelance staff as appropriate.
Timeline and Activity Plan
Provide your proposed year one plan and indicative year two plans, including how you will address the requirements of this Business Development Programme and meet key objectives.
Your activity should start in October 2026.
Risk Management Register
Provide a summary of the key risks you perceive in relation to delivering the programme, mitigation strategies and who is responsible for these.
EDI plan
Provide your plan for how you will take a proactive approach to increasing diversity across the sector (in terms of gender, ethnicity, disability, neurodivergence and socio-economic background) and address barriers to participation.
Decision making process
Stage 1: Submission and Eligibility
You submit your proposal and supporting materials by email and receive a confirmation email.
Screen Scotland reviews your proposal for completeness and eligibility.
If you have not provided all the information required, or if you do not meet the eligibility criteria, your proposal will not be assessed.
You will be notified of this, and of the reasons why, by email.
Stage 2: Assessment
Complete and eligible proposals will be assessed by Screen Scotland against the criteria outlined in the delivery partner section above.
Proposals will be shortlisted for interviews, and those who are successful at this stage will be invited to discuss their proposal further.
If you are unsuccessful at this stage, you will be informed of this by email.
Stage 3: Interviews
If selected for an interview, we will provide further information on the format and confirm the date/time.
Following interviews, the interview panel will then select their preferred delivery partner.
Following this decision, Screen Scotland are likely to hold further discussions with the preferred applicant in order to finalise the agreement for funding.
Stage 4: Approval
Screen Scotland’s Director and Head of Business and Market Development will make a recommendation to the Creative Scotland Senior Leadership Team, who will have final approval of the delivery partner.
We will aim to provide feedback to all applicants we meet for an interview, where this is requested. We welcome constructive feedback from you on our process, so we can continue to improve.
Please note, if no proposal is sufficiently viable, we may not select a delivery partner in line with the timeline above or we may enter into post-assessment discussions with one or more preferred delivery partners to encourage a particular approach prior to our making a decision.
Stage 5: Decision
You will be notified in September 2026 by email confirming whether your proposal was successful or not.
If you are successful, you will receive:
An award letter with any grant conditions attached (if applicable) and once these are met, a funding agreement will be issued.
A request for your banking details and to agree on a payment schedule, this will be set against agreed milestones with Screen Scotland.
Stage 6: Payment
The first payment will be paid once your funding agreement is signed, all conditions are met, and your bank details are verified. Further payments will follow the agreed payment schedule.
Appendix 1: Legal and Compliance Requirements
Terms and Conditions
For the full Terms and Conditions of Creative Scotland funding, please visit our website .
Subsidy Control
Screen Scotland, as part of Creative Scotland, must comply with Subsidy Control legislation. Learn more on the Subsidy Control webpage .
Data Protection
Creative Scotland requires some personal information about you/your organisation to consider your application for funding. Without this information we will be unable to process your application.
If you would like to see a breakdown of the personal information we require, why it is required, what we do with that information and how long we keep it, please refer to our Privacy Notice on our website .
Creative Scotland may share your personal information with third parties to comply with the law and/or for our legitimate interests and/or the third parties concerned.
Where the personal information you have provided to Creative Scotland belongs to other individual(s), please refer to our Privacy Notice. Please ensure you share this Privacy Statement and Creative Scotland’s Privacy Notice with the respective individual(s).
You have some rights in relation to the personal information that Creative Scotland holds about you under data protection law. Information on how to exercise these rights is contained in our Privacy Notice or you can contact our Data Protection Officer .
If you have any concerns with how we have processed your personal information, you should contact our Data Protection Officer in the first instance, as we would welcome the opportunity to work with you to resolve any complaint. If you are still dissatisfied, you can submit a complaint to the Information Commissioners Office.
Complaints
As an organisation, we will always listen to and respond to any concerns that you may have. If you would like to make a complaint about either the service you have received from Creative Scotland or the way we have handled your application, we have a process that you can use.
Please note that Creative Scotland does not have an appeals process and for this reason, we are unable to accept complaints that relate solely to the decision we have made rather than how we have made it. For more information, please visit the complaints section of our website .
Freedom of Information (FOI)
Creative Scotland is committed to being as open as possible. We believe that the public has a right to know how we spend public funds and how we make our funding decisions. For more information, visit the Freedom of Information section of our website .
We are listed as a public authority under the Freedom of Information Act (Scotland) 2002. By law, we may have to provide your application documents and information about our assessment to any member of the public who asks to see them under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. We may not release those parts of the documents which are covered by one or more of the exemptions under the Act.
Please see the Freedom of Information website at www.itspublicknowledge.info for information about the Act generally and the exemptions. We will not release any information about applications during the assessment period, as this may interfere with the decision-making process.
