Applications for 2027 are now open for playwrights and theatre makers for a £12,000 commission with the University of Edinburgh and the Traverse Theatre.

The Fellowship is a collaboration between IASH (the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities at the University of Edinburgh, supporting innovative research and public engagement activities across the arts, humanities and social sciences) and the Traverse Theatre, Scotland’s leading New Writing Theatre. IASH has commissioned playwrights for more than 20 years, including Douglas Maxwell, Femi Fatoba, Rona Munro, Frances Poet, Jo Clifford and David Harrower.

In 2027, they are offering one Creative Fellowship that commissions, develops and supports an exceptional and innovative playwright in the creation of a new piece of work that speaks to our lives now and into the future.

ABOUT THE 2027 FELLOWSHIP
– A writing Fellowship of up to 10 months to take place from January 2027 onwards, with a £12,000 commission.

– Open to writers with an idea or story for an audience-focused, ambitious and entertaining new play that speaks to the urgent issues impacting on our lives now and into the future, contributing to the cultural voice.

– Spread across a ten month period, giving the time, space and support needed to research and write whilst working around other commitments.

– Tailored to the writer’s needs and availability; it is expected that the writer can work at the University on a regular basis – such as two – three days a week, or two weeks per month. Applicants do not need to be based in Edinburgh, but should be able to travel to IASH regularly. Non-UK-based applicants are unlikely to be successful.

– The Fellow enjoys a private office at the University, as well as full access to the university library and the Institute’s many other resources, including joining the community of other Fellows working at IASH during this time. The recipient receives dramaturgical support from the Traverse Literary Department, with the expectation that up to two drafts be completed during their residency, with another draft due at some point after the residency finishes. There may also be the opportunity for practical development periods working in collaboration with the Traverse.

– The Fellow is expected to contribute to IASH and Traverse Theatre events as mutually beneficial, giving at least one work-in-progress seminar and/or reading of the work to an invited audience.

– The stipend for this Fellowship is £12,000. See their website for further details on how to apply.

For further information, please contact iash@ed.ac.uk (Dr Ben Fletcher-Watson), call 0131 650 4671 or visit https://www.iash.ed.ac.uk/iashtraverse-creative-fellowship.