The winning writer will receive £3,000 and a 9-month mentoring programme with a leading Black British playwright.
The competition is open to any playwright of Caribbean or African descent, resident in the UK, and awarded to the Most Promising Playwright based on their submission of an original, new stage play in English and their application for the award. Entrants must confirm on their CV that that they are of African or Caribbean descent.
Entries are online only and must be received not later than 5pm on 31 August 2025.
Immediate support to help manage urgent financial needs
Our Stop-Gap Grants can provide you with immediate support to help manage urgent financial needs when you have nowhere else to turn. If financial worries are holding you back, we’re here to support you.
Grants are generally no more than £500, although we may consider requests up to £750 at our discretion.
Jack Petchey's flagship programme is the Achievement Award Scheme, which recognises outstanding young people aged 11-25 across London and Essex.
Each year the Jack Petchey Foundation recognises circa 12,000 Achievement Award winners and invest £3.5 million through the Achievement Awards scheme. The winners are young people who have gone above and beyond to achieve - perhaps when others might fail.
Awards mean different things to different people. The Achievement Awards are not solely for academic achievement - they may be used to recognise a personal triumph for someone who has faced a challenge, a young person who has pushed themselves outside their comfort zone or it may be an opportunity to recognise the outstanding effort of a team player.
A young person is nominated by their peers in their school or youth organisation. An important part of the scheme is the involvement of young people in selecting the award winners for their work and efforts. The Jack Petchey Foundation want young people to recognise and celebrate the success of their peers.
Each winner will receive a certificate, pin badge and a book from Sir Jack himself. They will also choose how to spend a £300 grant to benefit their school or organisation.
