BAFTA has granted over £270,000 to 112 individuals in the UK and North America through its 2026 Prince William BAFTA Bursary and scholarship programs.
These programs aim to support emerging talents in the fields of games, film, and television by providing financial and practical assistance to help them kickstart their careers.
This year, the Prince William Bursary has assisted 100 recipients, marking a 40% increase from the previous year.
Recipients in Wales, Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland can receive grants of up to £2,000 to cover essential expenses like training, equipment, software, relocation, and driving lessons.
Feedback from the 2024 and 2025 cohorts revealed that 98% of recipients acknowledged that the grants helped them access career opportunities they wouldn’t have otherwise been able to pursue, while 88.2% stated that receiving a BAFTA bursary significantly boosted their confidence in navigating the industry.
Among the 2026 UK Bursary recipients in games are individuals like Bellayna Lopez, Erin Curtis, Jessica Murray, Leviathan Vi Amare, Sean Simmons, Serina Lopez, and Symoné.
UK scholarship recipients will be provided with up to £12,000 for tuition and living expenses, along with mentoring and free access to BAFTA’s events throughout the year.
In the US, recipients will receive up to $60,000 to support their studies at institutions such as Columbia University, Loyola Marymount University, New York University, School for Visual Arts, and Stanford University.
The UK scholarship program is made possible by The Reuben Foundation and BAFTA patrons, while the US program is supported by the Fulbright Program, Sir Mark Pigott KBE, and Tina Micklethwait.
Notable 2026 UK Scholars in games include Hamzah Ali from Staffordshire University, a Reuben Scholar pursuing an MA in Games Art, and Ava Rogerson from Norwich University of the Arts (NUA), a BAFTA Scholarship recipient studying BA in Games Art and Design.
“BAFTA is dedicated to investing in new talent as the future of our industries depends on it,” stated BAFTA deputy chair Hilary Rosen.
“The Prince William BAFTA Bursary and Scholarships programs do just that by providing life-changing grants to emerging creatives who may otherwise have struggled to pursue a career in the screen arts. We are excited to introduce the 2026 cohort and look forward to witnessing their future accomplishments.”