Sundance Institute Episodic Program (Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Grant)

Sundance Institute Episodic Program (Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Grant) is sponsored by Sundance Institute (funded by Alfred P. Sloan Foundation).

This program is for emerging to mid-career writers and creators across all scripted series platforms. One project will be selected from submissions and awarded a separate monetary grant provided by the Alfred P.

Episodic Program - sundance. org Submissions for the 2027 Episodic Lab and Intensive are open. Apply now.

Deadline: August 25, 2026. The Sundance Institute Episodic Program provides artists with the tools and training to develop their original series and pilot script. Offering one of the few training grounds for independent voices, the program is designed to help creators move their projects and careers forward.

Read the latest announcements in Deadline and Variety. Our Lab is a destination where bold writers develop expansive worlds and unconventional characters for audiences who crave transformative TV.

” Sundance Institute Names 2026 Episodic Lab Fellows Sundance Institute Announces the 2025 Episodic Intensive Fellows Sundance Institute Announces 2024 Episodic Lab Fellows Episodic Program Calendar The Sundance Institute Episodic program supports two cohorts every year. One cohort will attend an in-person six-day Lab, and another will experience a condensed virtual two-day Intensive.

Working with accomplished showrunners, Fellows will participate in one-on-one story meetings, craft workshops, and simulated writers’ rooms. Together, these meetings provide an elevated creative strategy for artists to advance their projects. Still have questions about the Episodic Lab?

Read our FAQ 2026 Virtual Two Day Intensive Free On Demand until August 25th 2027 Episodic Lab Submission Window July 13, 2026 to August 25, 2026 2027 Virtual Two Day Intensive Behind The Scenes of the 2026 In Person Lab When darkness descends upon Chucalissa, errybody and they mama must fight tooth and talon to survive.

Heather Rae, Executive Producer A rancher fighting for his land and family discovers an unfathomable mystery at the edge of Wyoming’s wilderness.

Stream on Amazon Prime Video Berry Jenkins, Screenwriter / Executive Producer The Underground Railroad chronicles Cora Randall’s desperate bid for freedom in the Antebellum South after escaping a Georgia plantation she discovers no mere metaphor, but an actual railroad beneath the Southern soil.

Stream on Amazon Prime Video A unique attribute of Sundance Institute Labs is the high touch mentoring and support our Fellows receive long after the Lab has completed. This allows Fellows to fully realize the potential of their work, hone their skills in a dynamic and supportive environment, and position themselves for the best possible outcomes for their projects.

This includes ongoing creative and strategic advice from the Episodic team and Advisors in addition to targeted introductions to agents and managers. Year-round Gatherings More > Episodic Advancement Fund More > Annual Pitch Parlor More > Support for the Sundance Institute Episodic Program The Sundance Institute Episodic Program is made possible by Founding Supporters Lyn and Norman Lear and Cindy Harrell Horn and Alan Horn.

Leadership Supporters are the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Tena Clark – Dunaway Gardens Foundation, Ann M. Drake, Netflix,, and Sundance Now.

Special thanks to our Episodic Advisory Council: Board Member Lead: David Nevins; Council Members: Michelle Ashford, Daniel Chun, Nancy Cotton, Dante DiLoreto, Adamma L. Ebo , Adanne M. Ebo, Rick Famuyiwa, Mike Flynn, Mark Gordon, Patrick Harbinson, Dave Holstein, Marta Kauffman, Alex Kurtzman, Amy Lippman, Chuck Lorre, Erica Rivinoja, Sarah Timberman, and Graham Yost.

A look inside our Episodic Program Labs and Intensives Jason K. & Michael M. – Episodic 2026 Recognizing that artists approach us at all stages of their early careers, we will design and lead an inaugural two-day intensive workshop serving an additional cohort of 10-12 diverse writers who were finalists for the Lab.

The Episodic Program hosts a series of events throughout the year to build a community of working writers in the episodic space. These include alumni and industry mixers; craft workshops; and sessions focused on pitching, staffing, and building creative skills.

Taking place annually each Spring in Los Angeles, Pitch Parlor will feature select Fellows and alumni from the most recent Labs who will present seven-minute pitches in front of invited TV producers, showrunners, managers, agents, and studio and network executives with the intention to celebrate and further introduce the work and writers with the wider industry. Still have questions about the Episodic Lab?

Read our FAQs When is the next submission season? The next submission season will open on July 13, 2026 and close August 25, 2026 . Participants will be selected from this submission pool for either the in-person Lab or Virtual Intensive taking place in 2027.

When is the 2027 Episodic Lab taking place? The Episodic Fellows begin with a few weeks of pre-lab development that includes virtual workshops preparing the writers and their materials leading up to the in-person Lab. When is the Virtual Intensive taking place?

TBD dates in summer of 2027 Who is eligible for the lab? Applicants must be 18 years of age or older at time of application. Applicants of any nationality or residency are eligible.

International series writers at all levels are eligible. Applicants who have sold a scripted episodic project (pilot or pitch) that has been produced for US television or streaming and shot with a major US studio or network are not eligible. Writers who have surpassed co-producer level in a writers room on a US based scripted adult series is not eligible.

Will you consider writing teams? Yes. We will consider writing teams of two people, no more.

Can I apply with a director, producer, or other attachment? This lab is designed for writers currently seeking creative development support and collaboration. Projects with existing exclusive producing partners are not eligible.

If you have a non-exclusive creative attachment, only the 2 co-writers are eligible to apply to participate in the Lab. What types of projects are eligible? Full pilot drafts of a scripted series are eligible; we currently are not supporting unscripted nor documentary series at this year’s Lab.

Projects of any genre, intended for episodic series on visual platforms. On-going, anthology, or limited series are eligible. Live action and animated series are both eligible.

We currently are not supporting sketch format at this year’s Lab. We currently are not supporting audio series at this year’s Lab. Projects cannot be currently set up or pitching in the US.

Projects cannot have already found distribution, online or otherwise. The draft must be submitted in the English language for evaluation but the project does not need to be intended to be produced in English. The project should be new, or if previously submitted, it must be materially different from any and all versions previously submitted to the Episodic Lab.

The project must be the applicant’s original creation or adapted from optioned source material or material in the public domain. Projects cannot currently have contractual ownership with a third party. Can I submit more than one project?

Yes. You must submit a separate submission for each project. Please note each submission will incur a separate $50 fee through FilmFreeway.

What do I need to submit in the application process? An Original Pilot Script (formatted as a PDF with dated cover page) Contact Information for writer(s): We allow for up to 2 writers per project; however, you must choose one person to be the primary applicant and your designated point of contact. Bio(s) of the writer(s) (approximately 250 words per person).

Series Logline: a one-sentence description of your series (no more than 50 words) that conveys what your project is about. Please include running length of episodes ie: ½ hour or 1 hr. Pilot Synopsis (no more than 500 words): a summary of your pilot episode.

Series Overview (no more than 500 words): This is a one-page description of your series that gives the reader a feel for its main characters, the basic plot and themes, and the tone and format. Imagine you’re describing your series to a friend in a way that conveys your excitement, clearly explains what your series is about, and gives them a reason to want to watch it.

Personal Statement (no more than 250 words): A brief written response to the following questions: What is your personal connection to the material? Why are you the best person to tell this story? Thematic Statement (no more than 250 words): a brief written response to the following questions: What is the theme of your series?

That is, what is the central idea or big question you are exploring? (For example, “In the wake of the ultimate betrayal, how does one continue to trust others? ” OR “Are criminals born or are they made?

” OR “Can a modern family still function like a traditional family? ”) How is this thematic question explored on an episode-to-episode basis in your series?

(For example, “Each episode, the betrayal is seen through the eyes of a different character as its ripple effect permeates more and more lives,” OR “Each episode, we focus on a different criminal and the path that led to their crimes,” OR “Each episode, an unconventional family struggles to overcome conventional problems. ”) How does this theme inform each of your characters and their journeys over the course of the series?

How does the theme connect emotionally to what your characters are going through? Video Samples of Previous Work are optional: Provide one to three URL links to video samples of your previous work (not to exceed 10 minutes total in length). Samples may include short films, web series episodes, stand up sets, or other relevant video content.

Please include passwords as needed. Demographics are optional: To be filled out by the primary applicant and the additional applicant, if applicable. Application Terms: By submitting an application, applicants agree to the terms set forth by FilmFreeway and listed on the FilmFreeway page.

A $50 Non-Refundable Processing Fee (payable by credit card via the online application). Is there an application fee to apply for the Episodic Lab? Yes, there is a $50 nonrefundable processing fee, payable by credit card via the online application on FilmFreeway.

How complete should the pilot script be? You must submit a full, completed original pilot script in order to be considered. Do not submit the feature, theatrical play adaptation, or any other version of your project as the primary draft for consideration.

How do I upload my pilot script to FilmFreeway? You must first create a FilmFreeway profile, then upload a pilot draft for each ‘project’ that you will select to submit. There will be a field for you to upload a PDF file and SAVE each project.

Once you are ready to submit, FilmFreeway will prompt you to select one of your existing projects to submit for consideration. If your project is missing a file, FilmFreeway will label your submission as Incomplete. Not to worry; you can still upload a script file by logging in to FilmFreeway, go to ‘My Projects,’ and select the pilot after submitting your application.

After I submit my application, will I ever be able to replace my draft with an updated file? YES you can! FilmFreeway gives you the ability to replace your project file at any time, in real time.

Immediately after you replace it, the reviewing team will only read that draft moving forward. However, Sundance can not confirm when your project will be read. We recommend you give yourself ample time to submit a complete pilot draft you believe is ready for rigorous consideration.

Will you consider a series intended for international production? Yes, although the project draft must be submitted in English. Will you consider adaptations of other material such as novels, magazine articles, films, etc.?

Yes. We will consider adaptations so long as the writer (or writers) has secured the rights to the original source material and can disclose the legal rights for the Sundance Institute to review. Do participants pay for travel and accommodation?

No. The Sundance Institute will pay for economy class airfare and provide accommodations for all participants. What does the program cost? Aside from an application fee of $50, participation in the Episodic Lab, including travel, food, and accommodations, is no cost to the Artists.

Does the Sundance Institute own my pilot? No. The Sundance Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and does not have an ownership stake in any projects that are submitted to, or selected for, the lab, nor are we attached in any producorial capacity. All Lab Fellows must own or have approval from the project owner to participate.

When will final decisions be made? Applicants will receive email notification approximately mid February 2027 through FilmFreeway. If you do not hear about your status by March 15th, 2027 you may reach out to the Episodic Program Team by emailing: episodicprogram@sundance.

org If you are interested in learning more about writing for the episodic space with Sundance Institute, visit collab. sundance. org .

Sundance Collab is Sundance Institute’s digital space for artists to learn from experts & build a global filmmaking community with self-guided writing courses and resources. Still don’t see your question answered here? Email episodicprogram@sundance.

org with further questions. Have technical questions regarding the submission site? Email support@filmfreeway.

com Application The 2027 Episodic Lab accepts applications from July 13–August 25, 2026 Dates April 15–20, 2027 Size of Lab 8 projects per lab Eligibility Applicants must be 18 years of age or older at the time of application. The project must be the applicant’s original creation or adapted from optioned source material.

The project must be written in the English language, but it does not need to be intended to be fully produced in English . The project should be new, or if previously submitted, it must be materially different from any and all versions previously submitted to Sundance Institute. Projects may not have already been produced, sold to a third party, or distributed online or otherwise.

Applicants cannot have sold an episodic project (pilot or pitch) to a studio or network in the past that has been shot. The Application Process Applicants are required to submit an original pilot script, their bio, a series logline, a series overview, their personal statement, a thematic statement, additional creative questions, and (optional) links to samples of previous work, along with a $50 nonrefundable processing fee.

For further details on the application process, please see our FAQ section below. Description The Sundance Institute Episodic Lab is a six-day program that offers writers the opportunity to workshop a pilot script, while developing their writing and pitching skills.

Working with accomplished showrunners, non-writing creative producers, and executives, the Fellows participate in one-on-one story meetings, craft workshops, and writers rooms, which together provide an elevated creative strategy for their material from key industry players in positions to advance their projects and careers.

From these submissions, one project will be selected and awarded a separate monetary grant provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation that spotlights a series with an illuminating emphasis on any subject of science, including but not limited to medicine, energy, technology, and invention. For more information about the Episodic Lab, please contact episodicprogram@sundance.

org . Doris Duke Charitable Foundation The Charles Engelhard Foundation Entertainment Industry Foundation Occidental Petroleum Corporation