Norman Beaton Fellowship Terms and Conditions 2026

Norman Beaton Fellowship 2026 Terms and Conditions.

1. BBC Norman Beaton Fellowship ("the NBF") is organised by the British Broadcasting Corporation ("the BBC").

2. The BBC NBF 2026 event is not open to any employee of the BBC or a BBC Group company, close relative of a BBC or BBC Group company employee, or an employee of a partner organisation.

3. In order to be accepted, Applicants must be a member of the acting profession and must be eligible to work in the United Kingdom for the duration of the contract (Saturday 30th January 2027 – Friday 2nd July 2027 ). Applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of submitting their application - closing date is Monday 5th October at 12:00 (noon) UTC. There is no upper age limit.

4. Applicants must comply with eligibility requirements and fully complete an application form (available from BBC Audio’s Radio Drama Company Coordinator via NormanBeatonFellowship@bbc.co.uk) indicating any vocational training and providing a link to their Spotlight page and the name of a verifiable referee (please ensure you have permission to share this information with us). Applicants failing to provide the name of a referee will not progress further

5. Completed application forms and two voice samples (via Dropbox or WeTransfer link) must be emailed to NormanBeatonFellowship@bbc.co.uk by 12:00 (noon) on Monday 5th October 2026. Further information on voice samples in Clause 7. The BBC, BBC Group, their sub-contractors, subsidiaries and/or agencies cannot accept any responsibility whatsoever for any technical failure or malfunction or any other problem with any server, internet access, system or otherwise which may result in any application being lost or not properly registered or recorded. Proof of sending is not proof of receipt. By providing a completed application form, the Applicant agrees to be bound by these terms and conditions.

6. A condition of entry is that you must be a member of the acting profession but not have attended a fulltime drama training course at either a Conservatoires UK or Federation of Drama Schools accredited drama school. Please see clause 25 below.

7. In 2026, the BBC NBF will take place remotely. All stages will take place using Zoom. The event will run in three progressive stages:
• Stage One will consist of applicants submitting two contrasting monologues that demonstrate their range (each monologue no longer than three minutes). We advise submitting one piece in your natural voice/accent and a second piece that demonstrates your versatility with vocal characterisation and/or another accent you feel secure in. Please submit these as two separate clearly labelled audio files e.g. Chris Jones monologue 1, Chris Jones monologue 2 and send via Dropbox or WeTransfer. These monologues will be assessed by an industry panel who will make a selection of a maximum of 18 applicants to go forward to the Semi-Finals.

• Stage Two will be a live Semi-Final audition via Zoom on Thursday 12th November 2026 for a maximum of 18 of applicants. These auditions, and the Finals will be recorded.

• Stage Three, The Finals, will be a live audition for up to 10 successful Applicants undertaken remotely via Zoom on Thursday 3rd December 2026.

8. The BBC is committed to ensuring that the Fellowship is open to all who are eligible to enter. Selection from Stage One through to Stage Two will be overseen by BBC audio drama production staff. Stage Three will be assessed by both BBC audio producers and representatives from the acting profession. Participants will be assessed for the vocal strengths shown through structured auditions incorporating a series of exercises focusing on solo and duologue auditions. Selection is based on Applicants’ responsiveness to text, direction and their vocal range. The BBC will select two finalists each of whom will be offered a five-month binding contract with the Radio Drama Company starting on 30th January 2027. Up to two Runners Up will be noted by the judging panel: either of these two actors may be offered a contract in the event of one winner declining to accept the contract offer.

9. The BBC will endeavour to offer a freelance engagement in a BBC audio drama engagement to all those Runners Up who are not offered a contract with the RDC.

10. The BBC reserves the right to provide feedback only to successful Applicants.

11. The BBC may hold Applicants’ details and recordings in line with the Privacy Notice below.

12. The BBC reserves the right to refuse entry for any reason at its absolute discretion.

13. Previous winners of the BBC NBF Award are not permitted to re-apply. Previous applicants, runners-up or finalists are welcome to re-apply.

14. The decisions of the judges are final. Neither correspondence nor discussion shall be entered into.

15. The description of the BBC Norman Beaton Fellowship is not binding and may be subject to change. The NBF cannot be deferred or transferred. There will be no cash alternatives.

16. Entry to the BBC NBF by Applicants is done at their own risk. We envisage no travel to BBC studios will be necessary for this year’s event. However, should any travel expenses be incurred in order to undertake the Zoom auditions in Stages 2 or 3, Applicants selected will be reimbursed reasonable expenses as advised at the time.

17. The BBC accepts and reserves the right to seek and issue publicity on behalf of the Applicants.

18. The BBC shall not be obliged to make use of any entry and shall not be liable for any loss of publicity or enhancement of reputation. To the extent permitted by law, the BBC will not be liable for any loss or damage (whether such damage or losses were foreseen, foreseeable, known or otherwise) including financial, reputational loss or disappointment.

19. The BBC reserves the right to (i) amend these terms, or cancel or suspend the process at any time in its discretion, (ii) disqualify any entrant or winner who breaches these Terms and Conditions, has acted fraudulently in any way or brings the BBC into disrepute (in its sole discretion) and (iii) withhold a prize if, in its opinion, entries do not reach the required standard. Notice of any such event will be posted on bbc.co.uk/soundstart

20. These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

21. The Fellowship team may undertake social media checks of entrants to the Norman Beaton Fellowship. Entrants warrant they have not acted or omitted to act in a manner that will bring the BBC into disrepute. Where it deems appropriate, the BBC may require shortlisted entrants to undertake DBS checks, specifics of which will be agreed between the BBC and the entrant if required. Information discovered or that may have been disclosed by the entrants themselves will inform the decision as to the selection of the finalists. Disqualification will not be automatic, but the decision is in the sole discretion of the BBC. Information will be shared with the BBC’s editorial policy advisor for the award and be handled in the strictest confidence and as with all personal data, in accordance with the BBC’s Privacy Notice.

22. The BBC reserves the right to stand down, in the BBC’s sole discretion, any entrant at any stage for editorial reasons, or otherwise. Should an entrant choose not to continue, the BBC reserves the right to offer the chance to go further in the Norman Beaton Fellowship to another entrant.

23. Although the BBC reserves the right to act on any information that may be disclosed or that is discovered through research, such disclosure or discovery of itself does not mean action will be taken. The BBC will consider all elements and make a decision in keeping with BBC Policies, Editorial Guidelines and to prevent or minimise any disrepute to the BBC and to the entrants.

24. The BBC works to ensure a culture where safeguarding children, including child protection, is everybody’s business, whether staff, freelancer, Talent, Supporting Artist or contractor. Although the BBC is not a statutory body, it has a duty of care for any child with whom it interacts, regardless of the nature of the interaction. https://www.bbc.com/aboutthebbc/reports/policies/childprotection

25. Please note: as we run a talent initiative, the BBC Carleton Hobbs Bursary Award, with drama schools accredited by Conservatoires UK and the Federation of Drama Schools, or previous Conference of Drama Schools, applications from those who are studying or have graduated from full-time courses in acting, musical theatre or stage management from these accredited colleges are not permitted: ALRA, Arts Educational London Schools, Birmingham School of Acting, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Drama Centre London, Drama Studio London, East 15 Acting School, Guildford School of Acting, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, Manchester Metropolitan University School of Theatre, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, Oxford School of Drama, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Royal Academy of Music, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Rose Bruford College, Trinity Laban, Webber Douglas

26. Entrants are reminded that their participation in the NBF cannot be used in commercial advertising or promotions, to attract external funding, to lobby or campaign, or to attract donations.

BBC Norman Beaton Fellowship 2026 Privacy Notice

Your trust is very important to us. This means the BBC is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal data. It is important that you read this notice so that you are aware of how and why we are using such personal data.

This privacy notice describes how we collect and use personal data about you during and after your relationship with us, in accordance with data protection law.

Why are we doing this and how can you participate?

The BBC Norman Beaton Fellowship (NBF) has run annually since 2003. It is an initiative designed to complement the annual BBC's Carleton Hobbs Bursary Award, which was established in 1953. The NBF is for actors who have not entered the profession via the traditional training route.

The data you provide in your application and during the audition stages will be used to assess your suitability for the Radio Drama Company. If you are selected to receive the Fellowship or a freelance engagement you will receive a separate BBC contract with further information about your privacy rights.

What personal data will BBC collect and how will we use it?

The BBC will collect and process the personal data for the purposes of facilitating the BBC Norman Beaton Fellowship, and to assess your suitability for the Radio Drama Company.

Personal data:
You must be at least 18 years old to apply.

The BBC will collect and process the following personal data about you:
• Your full name and title
• Your telephone number
• Your email address
• Your current occupation
• Details of your vocational training and your recent experience as a professional performer
• Your agent’s name and contact details (if applicable)
• Your referee details, including name, relationship, address, telephone number and email address

During the audition stage, in addition to the information processed above, the BBC will also process:
• Your image via Zoom
• Your voice recording via a remote recording system in Stages 2 and 3
• Notes about your application and audition

Background checks

Shortlisted entrants may be asked to disclose details of any criminal convictions and offences (including any allegations or investigations that are being carried out). The BBC will not require shortlisted entrants to provide information relating to spent convictions. Those asked for this information must keep the BBC informed of any changes to that information disclosed up to the point the successful entrants are announced. This information will be shared with the BBC’s editorial policy advisor for the Norman Beaton Fellowship and be handled in the strictest confidence and as with all personal data, in accordance with the BBC’s privacy notice. Unspent criminal convictions, pending criminal proceedings or civil actions may not rule you out of the awards but non-disclosure of such information which is later discovered may result in your exclusion.

Who is the Data Controller?

The BBC is the “data controller” of your personal data. This means that the BBC decides what your personal data is used for, and the ways in which it is processed. For the avoidance of doubt, your personal data will be collected and processed solely for the purposes set out in this privacy notice. As the data controller, the BBC has the responsibility to comply, and to demonstrate compliance with, data protection law.

Lawful basis for processing your personal data

The lawful basis on which the BBC processes the personal data provided to us is our legitimate interest to ensure the fair and transparent judging of the NBF, and to award a five-(5)-month contract with the Radio Drama Company.

We will process any information disclosed by shortlisted applicants, including any criminal convictions and offences, as part of a background check on the basis of their consent.

Sharing your personal data

The BBC works with our approved third-party providers who help us to provide some of our services. These partners only use your personal data on behalf of the BBC and not independently of the BBC. We currently use a video recording platform as a third-party processor for all stages.

Application forms of candidates invited to take part will be shared on a confidential basis with the external judges at the Final. External judges will have contracts with the BBC including requirements for confidentiality.

We may share personal data with a third party where required or permitted by law.

Retaining your personal data

We hold the recorded auditions of each year’s Final round actors, and these can be accessed by the BBC’s audio drama producer community. This is so that those who were not selected for the Fellowship but have particular talents can be contacted for other casting opportunities. These are deleted after 12 months. We hold names of NBF Finalists for a maximum of five (5) years.

The names of Fellowship awardees and the year they were awarded are retained indefinitely and published on the BBC Soundstart website.

For all other applications, the BBC will keep a record of the names of applicants for the 2026 Fellowship for reference for future awards. Your personal data will be stored in the UK and EEA. If your data is processed outside the UK and the EEA, the BBC will ensure that it is protected to the same standards as if it were being processed within the UK and EEA.

Your rights and more information

You have rights under data protection law:
• You can request a copy of the personal data BBC stores about you.
• You have the right to request that we rectify any inaccurate or incomplete personal data that we hold about you.
• You have the right to ask for the personal data we collect about you to be deleted, however there are limitations and exceptions to this right which may entitle the BBC to refuse your request.
• In certain circumstances, you have the right to restrict the processing of your personal data or to object to the processing of your personal data.
• You have the right to ask that we transfer your personal data to you or to another organisation, in certain circumstances.

You can contact our Data Protection Officer if you have questions or if you wish to find out more details about your rights, please visit the BBC’s Privacy and Cookies Policy at http://www.bbc.co.uk/privacy.

If you have a concern about the way the BBC has handled your personal data, you can raise your concern with the supervisory authority in the UK, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) https://ico.org.uk

We will revise the privacy notice if there are significant changes to how we use your personal data.

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