adminThe 2026 BAFTA bursary and scholarships are providing more than £270,000 in support to 112 emerging creatives in the UK and US. Through grants, tuition assistance and career development opportunities, the programmes aim to help people access training and build careers across games, film and television.
Image credit: Jack Hall/BAFTA
How the 2026 BAFTA bursary and scholarships support creatives
The funding comes through the 2026 Prince William BAFTA Bursary and scholarship programmes. Both offer financial and practical support to people at an early stage of their creative careers, helping reduce some of the costs associated with entering and progressing in the screen industries.
The Prince William Bursary supported 100 recipients, a 40% increase compared with the previous year. Grants of up to £2,000 are available to individuals in Wales, Scotland, England and Northern Ireland. Eligible costs can include training, equipment, software, relocation and driving lessons. Applicants considering a bursary can usefully identify the specific career-related costs they need support with before applying.
BAFTA reported that, among recipients from the 2024 and 2025 cohorts, 98% said the grant enabled them to access career opportunities they otherwise could not have taken up. A further 88.2% said receiving a BAFTA bursary significantly boosted their confidence in navigating the industry.
2026 UK Bursary recipients in games
The announced games recipients work across design, art, animation and production:
- Bellayna Lopez – 2D game artist and animator
- Erin Curtis – freelance 2D game artist
- Jessica Murray – game designer and writer
- Leviathan Vi Amare – technical artist
- Sean Simmons – freelance illustrator and concept artist
- Serina Lopez – 2D artist and game producer
- Symoné – game designer
The range of roles illustrates how games careers can involve both specialist artistic skills and broader design or production work.
Scholarship support in the UK and US
UK scholarship recipients can receive up to £12,000 toward tuition and living costs. The package also includes mentoring and free access to BAFTA’s year-round events. These resources can help students manage study expenses while building professional connections and learning about the industry.
In the US, recipients can receive up to $60,000 to support study at institutions including Columbia University, Loyola Marymount University, New York University, School of Visual Arts and Stanford University. The UK scholarship programme is supported by The Reuben Foundation and BAFTA patrons. The US programme is supported by the Fulbright Program, Sir Mark Pigott KBE and Tina Micklethwait.
2026 UK Scholars in games
- Hamzah Ali, Staffordshire University – Reuben Scholar, MA Games Art
- Ava Rogerson, Norwich University of the Arts (NUA) – BAFTA Scholarship, BA Games Art and Design
Investing in future screen-industry talent
BAFTA deputy chair Hilary Rosen said the organisation believes investment in emerging talent is important to the future of the industries it represents. She described the bursary and scholarship programmes as a way to provide potentially life-changing support to creatives who might otherwise face barriers to a career in the screen arts.
Overall, the 2026 BAFTA bursary and scholarships combine grants with education and career support. For emerging creatives, the practical value lies not only in funding, but also in gaining access to training, mentoring and opportunities that can help them take the next step in games, film or television.
