Completed applications can be submitted at any time before the deadline. Applications must be completed in the CISF portal. 

Opening Date: August 7, 2026

Closing Date: August 28, 2026, 8:59 pm PT / 11:59 pm ET.

Late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Black people: people who trace their roots to Sub-Saharan Africa, including those with origins in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Caribbean and Latin America. 

People of Colour and Racialized people: people who are from one or more of the following communities: 

• Latin Americans (Latino, Latina, Latinx) 
• Middle Easterns and North Africans
• South Asians 
• Southeast Asians 
• East Asians 
• Pacific Islanders
• Multiracial (a combination of any of the above categories or any of the above categories with White or European ancestry)

No.

No. You can only apply with one submission to the Fund. 

• Yes. Writers who have previously received funding through the Rogers-BSO Script Development Fund may apply again, provided they have not exceeded the program’s maximum participation limit (already participated in 2 previous rounds).

Yes, to be eligible for either the Scripted or Documentary program, applicants must have at least one of the following:

• A writer, co-writer, or story editor credit on one episode of a television series that has been broadcast.
• A writer credit on a feature film or short film that has been released theatrically or premiered at an international film festival (List of eligible festivals).
• A writer, director, or producer credit on a short documentary or feature documentary that has been released on a professional broadcast or streaming platform (i.e., not user-generated), released theatrically, or premiered at an international film festival (List of eligible festivals).

A sample of your previous screen-based work, such as a script for an hour or half-hour TV series (not including news programming); multiple episodes of a web, animation or children’s series (20+ pages); or a short or feature film. 

• Samples are not required to have been broadcast on TV or released theatrically. We encourage you to submit a sample that best reflects your voice as a screenwriter.
• Your writing sample MUST be a different script from the one you are applying to develop through this program. In order for all projects to be fairly assessed, the writing sample submitted must NOT be connected to the pitch treatment included in the application.

Include a one-page synopsis of a previous documentary film that has been broadcast on TV, released theatrically or premiered at an international film festival. List of eligible festivals.

• You must include your credit on the film, dates of broadcast, release, or premiere, and the name of the broadcaster or exhibitor. 
• Writing samples released through verifiable professional online platforms (e.g., CBC Docs, NFB, The Guardian Docs) are accepted. Content uploaded to personal or user-generated platforms (e.g., personal YouTube or Vimeo channels) is not eligible.

Your writing sample MUST be a different script from the one you are applying to develop through this program. In order for all projects to be fairly assessed, the writing sample submitted must NOT be connected to the pitch treatment included in the application. 

• You may include a pitch document in your application.

No, the lead writer of the project MUST identify as Black and/or racialized.

No, you should be the lead writer of the project, and you are not required to have a producer or team attached to be eligible to apply.

No, you do not have to be incorporated. 

Yes, provided you, as the lead writer, own 100% of the rights to the intellectual property (IP). 

Note: Projects for which a producer has optioned the script remain eligible to apply.

No, revisions will not be accepted once a project is submitted. 

No, submissions will not be returned, and no feedback will be provided to unsuccessful applicants.

Successful applicants in the scripted category will receive funding to complete:

• A polished, industry-ready pilot script for your television series (including writing a script outline, first draft and second draft).
• A series outline that includes short episode breakdowns for the first season.
• A professional pitch deck that includes a logline, character descriptions, series overview, episode summaries, and visual style.
• A prepared pitch presentation ready to be delivered to commissioners, producers and potential investors.

Successful applicants in the documentary category will receive funding to complete:

• A polished and comprehensive proposal ready for pitching to producers or networks. 
• A thorough research portfolio that includes all relevant background information, interviews, and sources that support the documentary’s narrative. 
• A 2-min demo, trailer or character reel. 
• A detailed treatment that includes key elements such as the logline, synopsis, character descriptions, visual style, target audience and writer’s connection to the subject. 
• A final presentation or pitch session where participants present their developed projects to a panel of industry experts for feedback and potential opportunities. 
• A full budget.

Successful applicants will be assigned a script advisor for the duration of the program. This advisor will work with the applicant to ensure that the project is in the best possible position at each stage of the program.

Applicants will also receive pitch training.