THE SHEDLOAD-OF-FUTURE FUND
WHAT IS IT?
The Shedload-of-Future Fund awards £5,000 grants annually to artists taking work to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for the first time. The fund supports debut performers and companies spanning theatre, comedy, music and the performing arts.
The expanded 2026 Fund is generously supported by Francesca Moody Productions, Multitude Media, Joe Lycett, Nish Kumar, Plosive, and Mick Perrin Worldwide.
WHAT’S ON OFFER?
For 2026, we’re offering 5 x £5,000 grants.
These bursaries can be used towards any costs associated with bringing your show to the Fringe – whether that’s travel, marketing, accommodation, set, or simply giving yourself the time and space to create.
- £4,500 will be paid up front
- £500 will be paid after the Fringe to cover reporting and admin, once we receive your final report
WHO CAN APPLY?
We’re looking for artists and companies across all genres at the Fringe who meet the following eligibility criteria:
- It must be your first time bringing a show to the Edinburgh Fringe*
- Your show must be registered in the Fringe (registration doesn’t need to be complete when you apply, but it does need to be confirmed before funding is paid) for at least 10 performances
- You must be a UK-based artist or company, or applying on behalf of one
- Your work must be live and in-person
- The show should be new work**
*If you’ve previously taken part in a Fringe show that ran fewer than seven performances, was a student production, or a short slot under 30 minutes, you’re still eligible.
**The show must be a new piece of work – not a reworking or remount of an existing production and should not have been performed more than six times previously.
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
- Brave, entertaining and compelling new work that uses the platform of the Fringe to take risks, push boundaries and tell new stories in ways we haven’t seen before.
- New artists and companies who will use the Fringe as a launchpad for their artistic ambitions and professional careers.
- Individuals who don’t have an existing high profile, who would otherwise not be able to attend the Fringe, and face barriers to funding and the arts.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Applications for the 2026 Fund are now open, and you can apply here. Applications will close when we hit 150 submissions or on 1 April, whichever comes first.
The form consists of four short stages:
- Eligibility
- Applicant Information
- Project Information
- Equality & Diversity Monitoring Form
Need support applying?
We’re committed to making the process as accessible as possible. If you’d prefer to apply via video, or if there’s anything else we can do to support your application, please get in touch with us at [email protected]
As a part of the application form, we’ll ask the following three questions (max 300 words each):
- Tell us about your show and what stage you’re at in your plans for Fringe 2026
- Tell us about you as an artist or company, and where you’re at in your creative journey
- Tell us how this fund will help you, and why now is the right time
2025 WINNERS
Last year we awarded £15,000 to new Fringe artists, supporting exceptional new writing to make it to the stage.
Since Fringe 2025, the shows we supported have transferred to Soho Theatre and The Pleasance, been shortlisted for the BBC Popcorn Award, and been featured in The Guardian and Rolling Stone.
Last year’s winners were:
- This Blighted Star – Coggia Theatre, Underbelly George Square
- House Party – Quite the Cowboy, Pleasance Courtyard
- Cara & Kelly… – Tigers, Not Daughters, Pleasance Courtyard
“WE CANNOT STRESS HOW MONUMENTAL THE FUND WAS FOR US”
– Hannah Ogbu-Samuel (Tigers, Not Daughters)
“FINANCIALLY A GAME-CHANGER”
– Chakira Alin (Quite the Cowboy)
APPLY NOW
