Funding

Established by a generous benefaction from Cameron Mackintosh, The Cameron Mackintosh Drama Fund (CMDF) funds projects which supports the promotion of interest in, and the study and practice of, contemporary theatre within the university. They always welcome new and creative funding proposals. To ask about funding opportunities, contact the University Drama Officer at drama.officer@admin.ox.ac.uk

CMDF Production Grants

CMDF provides grants to student productions on a termly basis. This funding is advertised by the University Drama Officer in the second half of term. The vast majority of applicants receive a grant equivalent to 12% of the production’s budget.

Secondly, productions can apply for a Guarantee Against Loss (sometimes referred to as a ‘grant underwriting’ or GAL). A GAL is an approved amount of money given to the production in the event it makes a loss. It can’t be used to pay back funding bodies but to cover costs that you, as individuals, are personally liable for. As a result, it is worth applying for a GAL for every production you stage.

Thirdly, CMDF offers an additional sum to go towards the cost of vacation residence for productions rehearsing outside of term. Up to £350 can be given to each production that applies.

CMDF Personal Development Grants

Current Oxford University students can apply to CMDF for a grant of up to £250 in one academic year to participate in an activity which will contribute to their personal or professional development within the performing arts. Applications will be announced by the University Drama Officer in the later half of every university term.

OUDS offer pro-rata loans to student productions. This funding is available on a rolling basis, all year round.

Usually, the treasurer will put out funding calls at the end or very start of each term, to remind people of this possible funding source. A form of deadline may be temporarily introduced for efficiency and to help when there is a high concentration of applications. However, missing these deadlines will by no means stop applications being considered.

You can apply for OUDS funding here: www.oxforduniversitydramaticsociety.com/funding-ouds-funding-apply

Email treasurer@ouds.org with any questions

Accidental Death Productions are a group of former Oxford University students who continue to offer funding to student theatre projects. The fund was made from the profits from two Oxford Playhouse productions back in the early 2000s. Since then, alongside many other changes to student theatre at the university, any profits remaining in a production company account upon graduation must now be returned to OUDS or OUTTS (or a combination thereof). As such, current production companies are discouraged from giving loans to other groups.

ADP offer pro-rata loan funding to productions taking place in Oxford and at the Edinburgh Fringe. Funding opens around 4/5th week every term. Information will be circulated by the University Drama Officer, and posted here.

The Magdalen Players generally offer pro-rata loans in the region of £50-£500 (depending on the production). Though funding is not just for Magdalen Student, significant Magdalen participation in the project is a requisite in any show that they decide to back.

Funding applications should be submitted at least four weeks prior to the commencement of the production.

Funding is available on a rolling basis. Contact players@magd.ox.ac.uk

The Merton Floats take applications on a rolling basis so people can apply at any time. It is recommend that you apply at least a month in advance of your show, as it can sometimes take a few weeks to process applications.

To apply for funding, email mertondrama@gmail.com, attaching your venue bid and budget. This will be followed by a short, online interview with the treasurer to discuss further details about the show itself and how the loan works. 

NCDS offers pro-rata loans year-round of a value up to £400, with a fast processing time. We're reachable at ncds.funding@gmail.com