The Hop Fund
Finding paid time to write, especially at the beginning of a new project, can be incredibly difficult - whether you're an emerging writer or have years of experience. The Hop Fund exists to create a little breathing room.
We're offering one writer a £100 micro commission to develop a new idea inspired by the theme "Stories That Feel Like Home." We want to support writers to spend time creating the work they want to make, without prescribing the final form or outcome.
You could write a poem, a play, a film script, creative non-fiction, or any other form of writing. If you can write it down, we want it!
What's the plan?
What you'll receive
• £100 seed commission to support dedicated writing time.
• The space to write between 1 and 10 pages in length as part of this project
• Up to two optional feedback sessions with writer-producer Bronte Appleby to discuss your work-in-progress.
• Promotion through Hop, Skip and a Jump's social media channels, helping to share your work with our growing community.
What isn't included
To keep expectations clear, this commission does not include:
• A guaranteed production, rehearsed reading or public performance.
• Ongoing dramaturgical support or script development beyond the optional feedback sessions.
• Representation, publication or career management.
• Further funding beyond the £100 commission.
• An obligation to continue developing the piece with Hop, Skip and a Jump after the commission ends.
This is a seed commission: the aim is to give one writer the time, encouragement and financial support to take the next step with an idea that matters to them.
We’re a small operation with big ambitions. We can't promise loads, but we can promise genuine encouragement, thoughtful support and a belief that stories close to home deserve to be told.
Writers will retain the copyright and intellectual property in their work. Any future performance or use by Hop, Skip and a Jump would only happen with the writer's agreement under a separate licence.
Eligibility
• Applicants must be 18 or over at the application deadline.
• Applicants must be based in the North West of England.
• Writers at any career stage are welcome to apply.
• Priority may be given to writers who are not currently under commission or who have had fewer opportunities to receive paid writing support.
• Open to all forms of creative writing, including (but not limited to) theatre, screen, poetry, prose, spoken word and creative non-fiction.
• Previous collaborators are welcome to apply. Applications will be anonymised during assessment to support a fair selection process.
Other bits and bobs!
• Please only submit one application
• Applicants should be able to complete the seed commission prior to January 2027
• The proposed work should be original and created by the applicant.
• This opportunity is for individual writers only. As we do not have the capacity to compensate additional collaborators, co-written submissions are not eligible.
• If in doubt – submit anyway! We want to hear from you!
• If you have any questions or need to apply another way (such as video/audio application) for accessbility purposes, please email info@hopskipjump.org
Deadline
• Make sure to apply by Mon 17th August at 10am GMT via Google Form. We reserve the right to close applications early - we're a small reading team!
How To Apply
Apply via this Google Form by Monday 17th August at 10am GMT