BBC Writers Open Call - An Important Update

Open Call 26/27: One Application, More Opportunities

At BBC Writers we're always thinking about how we can make our writer development opportunities more accessible and easier to navigate. As part of our ongoing commitment to discovering and developing new writing talent from across the UK and Republic of Ireland, we're making some changes to the way writers apply for our professional development opportunities in 2026/27.

A Single Point of Entry

The Open Call 26/27 will be a single application route for writers applying to three of our regular talent development programmes: 

• Voices
• Scripted
• Writers' Access Group

All applicants will automatically be considered for our Voices and Scripted opportunities as usual, but this year applicants who identify as deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent can also indicate if they would like to also be considered for the Writers’ Access Group.

This single point of entry is designed to make the process clearer and more accessible, while ensuring that we continue to identify and support a broad range of talented writers.

The BBC Writers' Access Group

In recent years, the BBC Writers' Access Group has had its own separate application window. This year we will be consolidating our submission processes so that deaf, disabled and neurodivergent (DDN) writers no longer need to apply separately to both the Open Call and the Writers’ Access Group if they want to be considered for the full range of our talent development programmes.

As the Writers' Access Group is an 18-month development programme, opportunities to join the group are offered every other year. The 2026/27 Open Call will recruit the next Writers' Access Group cohort, with the following opportunity to apply expected in November 2028. Writers who identify as deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent (DDN) and would like to be considered for the BBC Writers' Access Group can simply select that option on the application form. This indicates that they would like to be considered for the dedicated access support and tailored development opportunities available through the programme.

Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent writers will also be automatically considered for our Scripted and/or Voices groups. Whichever programme a writer joins, we will work with an access co-ordinator to ensure that we can meet their access requirements. We know that finding a writing community can be just as important as finding opportunities, and we remain committed to creating spaces where DDN writers can connect, collaborate and hone their craft.

Why We've Made This Change

By bringing our application routes together through Open Call, we aim to create a simpler process for all writers while embedding access and inclusion more fully across our talent development work.

A single application track allows writers to be considered for a range of opportunities without having to navigate several separate submission processes. It also enables us to consider writing talent across our programmes more holistically, while maintaining dedicated support for writers who face barriers to entering and progressing within the industry.

The dates of the next Open Call submission window will be Tuesday 3 November 2026 to Tuesday 1 December 2026 at 12 noon. 

Open Call - details

During the application window we will host two drop-in sessions on Zoom for writers to ask the BBC Writers team questions about the Open Call process and our writer development groups. These will both feature transcription and BSL interpretation. The Zoom links to attend will be published on our website once the submission window opens in November. Online drop-in dates and times will be as follows:

• Tuesday 10 November 12:30-13:00
• Thurs 26 November 17:00-17:30

Please note that we will not accept resubmissions of scripts entered into previous Open Call or Writers’ Access Group submission windows. Full terms and conditions for Open Call 26/27 will be published on our website by the end of October 2026.

We look forward to reading your work!