CMDF Funding for EdFringe 2026
The application window to receive funding for productions at The Edinburgh Fringe 2026 from the Cameron Mackintosh Drama Fund is now open. This will be the ONLY opportunity to get funding from CMDF for the Fringe this year.
What does my application need to include?
A completed version of the attached application form.
A budget
Signed Declaration (see attached)
Proof of bank details
For applications of new writing, please include a script.
Please send all relevant parts of the application to Noah Wild, the University Drama Officer at drama.officer@admin.ox.ac.uk
Deadline: Midnight Sunday 1st March. This deadline has been chosen to match the deadline for registration with the Fringe Society at their early bird rate.
We aim to interview applicants in 8th Week of Hilary Term.
Do get in touch with any questions at drama.officer@admin.ox.ac.uk
Selection Criteria
The Cameron Mackintosh Drama Fund aims to support productions by students of the University of Oxford at the Edinburgh Fringe that:
Represent the ‘best’ of student theatre: by being artistically ambitious or interesting, and communicating a vision that is unique to the perspective, age or experience of students of this University.
Are led by a production team who see performing at the Edinburgh Fringe as part of their personal or professional development in the performing arts.
Connect creatively to the diversity of experience within the University of Oxford and its local community.
Application Notes
CMDF will now only fund a maximum of 8 student productions at the Edinburgh Fringe per year. This figure is in line with the average number of Fringe productions it has funded in previous years.
Up to a combined total of £8,000 will be awarded. Unlike the standard CMDF Production Grant funding process, there is no set guideline for how much funding may be asked for: we will provide each successful production with an amount of funding based on its own individual merit and need.
This will be the ONLY opportunity to receive funding from CMDF for productions at EdFringe 2026.
The creative team of each production will be interviewed. This will allow us to get a more in-depth understanding of the project, as well as providing advice and support to help you budget and fund your production more effectively. If the number of applications exceeds that of which we are able to interview, we may shortlist prior to interview.
Budget
You may include the cost of transport and accommodation to Edinburgh for your cast and crew in your budget.
You can use the OUDS Budget template or any similar format if you wish
Declaration
You can find this in the same Google Drive as this list.
You must read, complete and electronically sign this to confirm that, if offered a grant, you will adhere to the terms outlined.
Proof of Bank Details
You receive funding, you need to provide proof that you have opened a bank account for your production company or society. This bank account should be a production company or student society bank account. It should not be your own individual, personal account. Guidance on opening a production company account can be found here.
The proof of bank details that you provide should be:
A photograph, scan or screenshot of a piece of headed paper from your bank
It needs to display: 1) Your account number 2) The sort code 3) The name under which the account is registered.
Please note, just screenshots of your online banking home page will not be sufficient evidence. Eligible documents can be found via the “statements” section of your online banking, and can be downloaded or screenshotted.
You should be able to find the above through your online banking portal - handwritten documents will not be accepted.
If you have been unable to open a production company account then you need to get in contact with the University Drama Officer (drama.officer@admin.ox.ac.uk) BEFORE THE DEADLINE who can give you advice and guidance. You should at least be in the process of opening an account at the time of application.