Tony Doyle Bursary

The Tony Doyle Bursary for New Writing provides a fantastic opportunity for writers new to television. Previous winners of the prestigious £2,000 award are Bill Murphy, Brian Dungan, Dominique Moloney, Danny Stack, Abbie Spallen, Martin McSweeney, and Martin McNamara.

The aim of the bursary is to encourage television drama about Ireland by writers new to the medium. This may include writers experienced in other forms of fiction as well as new writers. 

To achieve this, the chosen finalists will take part in a residential seminar where they will undergo intensive structured script sessions with members of BBC Northern Ireland Drama’s development team and with top scriptwriters and producers.

The winner will also receive a cash prize of £2,000.

The judging panel for entries will include John Yorke, Kate Rowland, Liam Cunningham, Lorcan Cranitch, Peter Norris, Sally Doyle, Emma Norton, Sarah Stack and Tina Kellegher.

The competition is open only to entrants aged over 18 who have been either resident in Northern Ireland and Eire for five years, were born in either country, or with at least one parent or grandparent who was born in either country.

To find out more and apply, visit the BBC Northern Ireland Drama website.

Deadline: 4th December 2009.