A new national fund to unlock risk and investment in the commissioning of new plays, which launches today (13 November 2025), was inspired by WGGB’s own 2022 New Play Commission Scheme (NPCS) to tackle the decline in new playwriting following the Covid pandemic.
From 2026, the Jerwood Royal Court Commissioning Scheme will award six grants of up to £6,000 each to underwrite first payments for new play commissions, supporting UK-wide producers to back ambitious new playwrights.
Awarded through open applications, jointly between a producer and playwright, applications are open from 2 December 2025 to 23 January 2026.
WGGB is proud to have worked with The Royal Court, who are partnering with the Jerwood Foundation on this initiative, which will encourage and underwrite original play commissioning for stages across the country.
The six grants of up to £6,000 each will fund the non-recoupable first payment for six new play commissions every year, on at least WGGB minimum rates. Separate from the Royal Court’s own productions, the supported commissions will be led by producing theatres and companies across the UK, selected from open-access applications to support the creation of ambitious, risky and adventurous original work with routes to future production.
By awarding funds at this point, the scheme will unlock the first step in commissioning and underwrite financial risk, while encouraging theatres and producers to commit future investment towards completing commissions and undertaking full production.
Proposals must be made jointly between a playwright and a venue or company – whether subsidised, independent, or commercial – and should demonstrate clear artistic ambition and risk as well as a viable route to future production.
WGGB’s own one-off 2022 New Play Commission Scheme, with UK Theatre and ITC, led to 18 commissions. You can find out more about our NPCS, including those productions which have already opened at theatres and on tour, here.
Find out more about the Jerwood Royal Court Commissioning Scheme, and access guidance prior to the opening of applications on 2 December, here.