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FOCAL International Bursary Programme: Festival of Archives 2026

FOCAL International is committed to supporting its members as they grow, adapt, and excel within an ever‑evolving archive, media, and visual content landscape. To further this mission, the FOCAL International Bursary Programme provides targeted financial support to help members access professional learning, sector engagement opportunities, and skills development activities. These bursaries are designed to ensure that all members - regardless of financial resources - can participate in training, events, and experiences that strengthen individual careers and contribute to the wider FOCAL community.

Submit your application!

Purpose of the FOCAL Bursaries Programme

The Programme aims to:

  • Support the professional development and career progression of FOCAL members working across archives, media, and the wider visual content industries.
  • Remove financial barriers that may prevent members from accessing training, conferences, or industry engagement opportunities.
  • Promote equity, diversity, and inclusion by ensuring that members with limited financial resources can participate in sector‑wide development activities.
  • Strengthen the collective skills and leadership capacity of the FOCAL community, contributing to excellence across the audiovisual and archive media sectors.


Eligibility Criteria

Bursaries are available to:

  • Current FOCAL International members - whether individual members or representatives of company member organisations.
  • Members in good standing with fully paid membership fees for more than two years.
  • Individuals who can demonstrate genuine financial need.
  • Applicants whose proposed activity aligns with FOCAL's mission to promote best practice and excellence in audiovidual and archive media industries.
  • Applicants aged 18 or over.
  • Applicants who are not enrolled in full-time or part-time undergraduate or postgraduate degree programmes.
  • Applicants whose proposed activity will take place within the same calendar year that the bursary is awarded.

Priority consideration will be given to:

  • Early-career professionals (0-7 years' experience).
  • Members based in or representing low-income or under-resourced regions or organisations.
  • Applicants who have not received bursary support from FOCAL within the past 24 months.


Types of Bursaries Offered

1. Training & Skills Development Bursary 

Supports participation in training and skills‑focused activities such as:

  • Technical or craft‑based upskilling.
  • Digital preservation or research‑based training.
  • Copyright, rights clearance, and licensing workshops.
  • Specialist archive, production, or technology‑focused training.
  • Professional accreditation courses relevant to audiovisual or media archive practice. (Excludes activities listed under "What We Do Not Fund")

2. Conference & Events Bursary 

Supports attendance at:

  • FOCAL‑hosted events that offer meaningful career or skills development (excluding purely social events).
  • Sector conferences, seminars, or symposiums.
  • International events relevant to archival, media, or audiovisual practice.


Funding Amounts

Bursary can be granted up to the following amounts:

  • Standard Travel Support Bursary: £250-1,000
  • Conference Bursary: Up to £1,500
  • Skills Training Bursary: Up to £2,000

Part-funding is permitted where awards cover a portion of the proposed costs.

Please note that a limited number of bursaries are available, and awards will be made on a competitive basis.
 

Eligible costs may include:

  • Training or course fees.
  • Event registration fees.
  • Travel and accommodation (see below for limits).
  • Subsistence (see below for limits).
  • Accessibility‑related costs (e.g., mobility support or access services).
  • Other reasonable expenses directly related to participation, subject to approval.

All claimed costs must be reasonable and represent the most economical options available. Travel must be booked using the cheapest suitable form of transport.

  • Accommodation costs are capped at £170 per night.
  • Subsistence is capped at:
    • £5 for breakfast
    • £10 for lunch
    • £15 for dinner
  • Alcohol cannot be reimbursed under any circumstances.
  • All claims must be supported by itemised receipts.


What we do not fund:

  • Full‑time or part‑time undergraduate or postgraduate degree courses.
  • Tickets to industry conferences or events without a structured training element.
  • Long‑term research projects.
  • Equipment purchases.
  • Membership or exhibition fees.
  • Salaries, stipends, or compensation.
  • Commercial business development costs.
  • Activities or projects unrelated to FOCAL’s mission.
  • Costs already incurred, or participation that began before an application was submitted (including associated travel or subsistence).
  • Personal debts or general living expenses.

Application Process

1. Online Application Submission

Applicants must complete the official online application form and provide:

  • Personal and professional details.
  • Confirmation of current FOCAL membership status.
  • A description of the activity requiring support.
  • A clear, itemised budget.
  • A statement outlining financial need.
  • An explanation of expected professional outcomes and impact.

2. Required Supporting Documents

Applicants must submit:

  • A current CV or short professional biography.
  • Proof of course or event registration, where applicable.
  • A Letter of Support:
    • Employees: from a line manager or senior colleague.
    • Freelancers/sole traders: from a FOCAL member, professional mentor, or appropriate industry contact.


Deadlines

Applications will be assessed on a quarterly basis:
March, May/June, September, December.

Emergency applications may be reviewed throughout the year at FOCAL’s discretion.


Selection and Evaluation

Applications will be reviewed by the FOCAL Bursary Review Committee, based on

  • Relevance to the applicant’s professional development goals.
  • Contribution to FOCAL’s mission and wider sector benefit.
  • Strength, clarity, and feasibility of the proposal.
  • Demonstrated financial need.
  • Budget realism and value for money.
  • The applicant’s willingness to share learnings with the wider FOCAL community (e.g., a short report, blog, presentation, or other contribution).

Applicants will typically receive a decision within 4–6 weeks.
 

Post-Award Requirements

  • Submit a short completion report summarising outcomes
  • Provide at least one piece of media content suitable for FOCAL’s social channels or website, this might include;
    • A written statement or short reflective summary.
    • Photographs taken during the funded activity.
    • A brief video (e.g., 30–60 seconds) discussing what you learned or how the bursary supported your development.
    • Any other suitable content agreed with FOCAL in advance.
  • Provide receipts or evidence of all funded expenditure. All claims must be supported by itemised receipts. Claims without receipts cannot be reimbursed under any circumstances.