Supporting comedy voices

We are committed to finding, nurturing and developing new voices in comedy. We also offer a protected, collaborative space for more established voices. Whatever your idea or comedy ambition, our opportunities are designed to support you.

The BBC New Comedy Awards

Our hunt to discover the stand-up superstars of the future. The BBC New Comedy Awards is returning this Autumn to BBC Three, BBC One and BBC iPlayer. 

The BBC New Comedy Awards returned in 2021 and have been a tried and tested route for launching the careers of some of Britain’s most loved comedians. Past finalists include Alan Carr, Lee Mack, Sarah Millican, Rhod Gilbert, Peter Kay and more recently Joe Lycett, Lucy Beaumont, Lost Voice Guy, Sindhu Vee, Ken Cheng and Michael Odewale.

The BBC Comedy editors access scheme

Our post-production opportunity for deaf, disabled and neurodivergent talent. We're offering two candidates with a lived experience of disability the opportunity to accelerate their editing careers in scripted comedy, with one entry level placement for an edit assistant based in London, Cardiff, Bristol or Manchester and one mid-level placement for an assistant editor based in London. Find out more on the link below.

The BBC Comedy Collective Bursary

The BBC Comedy Collective is a supercharged bursary scheme offering 10 places to up-and-coming writers, producers and directors who’d like to develop their careers in scripted comedy. The scheme is open to anyone who has had at least one previous credit in writing, producing or directing in any genre, across any platform - such as radio, theatre, podcasts, stand-up or commercials. Our aim is to develop the best up-and-coming talent into the comedy space, so applicants will also need to demonstrate a clear commitment to comedy. Find out who's part of the BBC Comedy Collective.

This scheme is currently closed for applications. Continue to check the page for updates.

BBC Comedy Grants

Our BBC Comedy Grants of £5k will be available for organisations to engage in targeted comedy outreach focussed on under-represented groups. Ten grants are available with at least one ringfenced for activity in Northern Ireland, one for Scotland, one for Wales and one for Newcastle (our 2022 City of Comedy).

This scheme is currently closed for applications. Please continue to check the page for updates.

Our trainee schemes

We are committed to improving the diversity of the British comedy industry. We recognise that some groups of people are still underrepresented, particularly in off-screen roles across our productions. We are working hard to change this.

We fund paid trainee roles on our shows through production bursaries which are specifically aimed at these underrepresented groups. These roles are based across departments including directing, producing, costume, make-up, art department and camera work.

In 2019 we co-funded eight placements on Man Like Mobeen. In 2020 we co-funded 17 trainees on the BBC Three pilot of PRU. In 2021 we funded trainees on The Outlaws and Cunk on Earth and 25 trainees worked on the full series of PRU.

We plan to continue this commitment to funding trainee roles, and are finding ways to ensure the trainees who are involved have meaningful onward journeys after their placements.

Starting out in comedy?

Decided you want to work in comedy, but don’t know what role is for you?

Meet the cast and crew of BBC Three’s hit comedy Enterprice to learn more about what jobs like director, producer, costume and sound really entail.

For more information on the different roles involved in making comedy for television and the range of skills they require, head to our partner ScreenSkills.