Writers' Access Support Staff Training Program

Deadlines & fees

• Application deadlinePassed
  13 Sept 2026America/Los_AngelesFree

Dates and fees checked against the official site 23 Sept 2026.

Key facts

Eligibility

US residents18+Underrepresented backgrounds

Open to

United States

Required materials

Summary of past writing experience or relevant formal education, Preferred genres and a brief overview of creative influences, Responses to three or four essay questions of 100 to 200 words, Personal statement of 400 words, Professional resume

Applicants must be at least 18, authorised to work in the United States, able to demonstrate ongoing efforts to break in as a television writer, and interested in support staff work. No professional writing experience or credits are required. Anyone who has already worked as a writers' assistant or script coordinator is ineligible, though former writers' PAs and showrunner's assistants may apply. Los Angeles residents receive admissions priority and no more than 10 per cent of each class is reserved for applicants living elsewhere. Writers who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled or over 50 are encouraged to apply. Using AI to generate or edit application materials is grounds for disqualification.

Prizes

No cash prize or stipend. Participants receive the training course itself, an assigned mentor, guest showrunner sessions, and placement on the Writers Guild Foundation talent list circulated to studios, networks and showrunners, plus inclusion in the annual lookbook.

Judging

Applications are collected via Submittable and reviewed through a five-stage process by an admissions committee of television creators, executive producers, showrunners and writers, most of whom worked as assistants or coordinators themselves. The 2026 committee is published by name and runs to 67 members. The programme was founded by Tanya Saracho, Mike Royce and Liz Hsiao Lan Alper, and is taught by Debbie Ezer and Clay Lapari. Around 2,000 people apply for 16 to 18 places. No interviews are conducted and no feedback is given on unsuccessful applications.

Frequently asked questions