Applications for the 2027 Jerwood Royal Court Commissioning Scheme Now Open

The Royal Court, in partnership with Jerwood Foundation, today announces the return of the Jerwood Royal Court Commissioning Scheme for 2027: igniting and underwriting brand new play commissions with venues and producers across the UK.

Following a successful first year which saw 6 grants of up to £6,000 awarded, the Scheme returns for 2027, continuing to invest in artistic risk and original new plays.

The open-access, national Scheme welcomes joint applications from a playwright and a producing venue or company, whether subsidised, independent or commercial. All the producer has to do is commit to the future delivery payment, and share a clear ambition towards full production – and we’ll help make it happen.

Applications for the 2027 funding round are now open. Click here to apply.

Read more about the Scheme here.

The JRRCS is a Royal Court programme, managed and delivered by the English Stage Company Ltd, trading as the Royal Court Theatre, supported by funding from Jerwood Foundation Additional thanks to the Writers Guild of Great Britain (WGGB), working with us to ensure fair terms on commissioning agreements. WGGB’s own one-off 2022 ‘New Play Commissioning Scheme’, in partnership with UK Theatre and ITC, led to eighteen commissions and provided the inspiration for this new annual programme, supporting writers across the country.