Accelerate Fellowship
Empowering mid-level disabled screenwriters to develop and sell their own content.
About
The Accelerate Fellowship is a year-long program that gives mid-level disabled screenwriters $40,000 in funding, and the bespoke mentorship, industry connections, and community they need to become industry-leading creators.
BENEFITS
Unrestricted Funding
A $35,000 unrestricted grant can cover more than six months of living expenses so Fellows can focus full-time on their careers.
Conversations & Workshops
Weekly conversations with leading showrunners, writers, producers and creative executives help Fellows get bespoke advice and build new connections.
Bespoke mentorship
Ongoing writing workshops and check-ins with the Inevitable team allow Fellows to sharpen their writing and pitching skills.
Networking and Job Opportunities
Our personalized Concierge service links Fellows with Showrunners and Creative Executives for development and staffing opportunities.
Community of Peers
Connecting with other disabled screenwriters both inside and outside of the Fellowship program will build a supportive community that will stay with Fellows as they grow.
The Accelerate Fellowship is exclusively supported by Netflix.
FAQ
Table of Contents
Background
Why did you create the Accelerate Fellowship?
We started Inevitable Foundation’s Accelerate Fellowship to empower mid-level disabled screenwriters to develop and sell their own content. Disabled people make up more than 20% of the U.S. population but represent less than 1% of writers working in the industry today.
How much is the Fellowship grant for?
Fellows receive a $35,000 cash grant, which is meant to cover more than six months of living expenses, and an additional $5,000 to cover professional development expenses during the program.
How can Fellows use the Fellowship money?
The money is unrestricted— Fellows can use it to cover living expenses and other project-related fees—which is intended to give them the time and space to further develop their projects.
Is the Fellowship taxable income?
If you receive a Fellowship, we recommend you speak to an accountant to make a determination on the tax status of the Fellowship money.
Is the Accelerate Fellowship different from the Screenwriting Fellowship?
The Accelerate Fellowship is an updated version of what was formerly known as the Screenwriting Fellowship. Our grant sizes and mission has remained the same, but we now select Accelerate Fellows once per year, and offer more mentorship, networking and community-building opportunities.
Eligibility & Application
What are your eligibility requirements?
General eligibility requirements:
Self-identifies as disabled.
18 years of age or older.
Currently pursuing a career in screenwriting.
Not enrolled in an accredited degree program.
Currently or previously has worked in the entertainment industry.
Applicants must also meet at least three (3) of the following criteria:
Has an agent or a manager
Member of the WGA, Animation Guild or equivalent union
Has sold a script, TV show, or pitch before
Has staffed on a tv show or received a writing credit on a movie
Has been or currently are in development with a major production company, studio, or network
How do I apply for the Accelerate Fellowship?
If you would like to apply for the Fellowship, please fill out our Programs Eligibility Questionnaire. In an effort to shorten wait times after submitting an application, our Accelerate Fellowship application process is now done once a year, ensuring that we can review your application right away. If you meet our program eligibility, we will store your information and notify you when we’re receiving applications.
Do I need to be disabled to receive an Accelerate Fellowship?
Yes. The Fellowship is for individuals that self-identify as disabled. This includes physical, intellectual, developmental, psychiatric, visible, or invisible disabilities.
Do you accept Accelerate Fellows from outside the United States?
Yes. Please note that interested parties from outside the United States are subject to additional review in order to comply with U.S. Treasury Department regulations.
Do you select writing teams as Accelerate Fellows?
Yes, however, if only one member of the writing team is disabled, only that person can receive an Accelerate Fellowship. If both members of a writing team are disabled, you may apply as a team.
Is the Fellowship for a person or a specific project?
Invited applicants will be asked to submit a writing sample, but the Fellowship itself is for the screenwriter(s), not any specific project.
Fellowship Details
How is the Accelerate Fellowship structured?
The Accelerate Fellowship is a 12-month program, focused half on writing skills and half on business skills. The full list of benefits can be found here.
What does a normal week look like for an Accelerate Fellow?
As an Accelerate Fellow, you can expect 3-5 hours per week of writing workshops, personal check-ins, and conversations with industry leaders, as well as a bi-weekly submission deadline for new writing. You may also have sessions or follow-up work from professional development opportunities.
Can I complete the Accelerate Fellowship while employed?
Yes. The goal of the Accelerate Fellowship is to help you get more professional work as a screenwriter (both development and staffing), so we’ll never ask you to turn down opportunities. However, to ensure the impact of the program, we do ask applicants to make sure they maintain enough time to commit fully to all the Fellowship entails.
Can I complete the Accelerate Fellowship while in another fellowship or award program?
You can, but because of the workload associated with the Accelerate Fellowship and other industry fellowship programs, we don’t recommend trying to complete both at the same time.
Can I be chosen as an Accelerate Fellow if I’ve already benefited from another Inevitable Foundation program?
Yes. All our programs are designed to be complementary, and applying for/receiving benefits from one program does not exclude you from any others.
Selection
Who makes selections for the Fellowship?
We’ve assembled a diverse selection committee of individuals working at the intersection of entertainment and disability who are in charge of evaluating our applicants and making selections.
When are new cohorts of Fellows selected?
New cohorts of Accelerate Fellows are selected annually in the early summer. Application requests will be sent to prospective applicants in the spring.
How long is a Fellowship?
Each Accelerate Fellowship includes 12 months of funding and programming, and you are not required to participate in programming or submit any materials after that time. However, we don’t “kick fellows out” at any time, and alumni are welcome at some community and industry-focused programming.
Reporting
What are the reporting requirements for the Accelerate Fellowship?
Fellows will be asked to submit a written report to the Foundation at the end of their 12-month Fellowship to keep us updated on their progress.
terms & conditions
What are the Accelerate Fellowship Terms and Conditions?
Read the Accelerate Fellowship Terms and Conditions
Have another question?
Email us at programs@inevitable.foundation