2024 was the 15th edition of the showcase, which has supported 273 shows at the Fringe to date and countless international onward touring. It remains a world-leading Fringe showcase and a crucial fund for Scottish artists. Today's context is very different to when Made in Scotland began in 2009, and with costs continuing to increase for artists, a review was needed to ensure its continued success and relevance.
The evaluation included interviews with previous panelists, venues, unsuccessful applicants, artists who have chosen not to apply and recent successful applicants. The recommendations from the evaluation were subsequently made to the partners on the showcase: the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, Creative Scotland, Scottish Music Centre and Federation of Scottish Theatre.
Those recommendations have led to changes in the Made in Scotland process for 2025. The key aims are to improve the simplicity of the application form, attempt an earlier timeline that might work better for venues and artists, and to set fixed award amounts. This is in line with our approach to all projects (including the Keep It Fringe fund): championing simplicity, increasing access and supporting the performing arts.
Changes made to the Made in Scotland selection process are as follows:
- The application form is shorter, simpler and clearer about what information is needed and why.
- A fixed complex budget template is not provided. Producers / artists can articulate their budget in the way that works best for them.
- The timeline is earlier and there is no requirement for having a confirmed venue at time of application, relieving pressure on artists and venues to confirm / hold slots. The applications are still open for the same length of time (six weeks, closing on 21 October) but applicants will know the outcome before the end of the year.
- There are now three fixed award amounts of £5,000, £15,000 and £25,000 for applicants to select depending on the work's scale and funding needs. The panel will make awards across all three of these levels (up to the combined total available of around £300,000).
- The Fringe Society, for the first time, will manage all aspects of the administration, which has previously been handled by Creative Scotland. This gives us more flexibility with the format of applications and scope to make adjustments as we learn from this pilot. Creative Scotland will still offer support and advice on the programme.
Made in Scotland isn’t designed to wholly fund Fringe shows, but these changes should enable more artists to be supported and better transparency of process. The fund's focus remains firmly on supporting Scottish work that has ambition for subsequent international export. This is the criteria of the Scottish Government EXPO Funding and has been further focused on in the application form and criteria.
2025 will be a pilot / transition year where these changes are trialed and ongoing feedback will be sought from the Fringe community throughout.
Applications are now open
Made In Scotland Showcase 2025
Deadline: 21 October 2024
Before applying to Made in Scotland, please familiarise yourself with the Made in Scotland application guidance (.pdf).
To start your application, or to preview the application form before you start completing it, visit the Made in Scotland application portal.
We held an online information session for potential applicants on Monday 16 September 2024 – you can watch a recording of the event below:
Applications close at 12:00 BST on 21 October 2024.
If you need any assistance in completing the form, please contact us at madeinscotland@edfringe.com.
Made in Scotland Onward Touring
No deadline – applications ongoing until entire budget is allocated
One of the key aims of Made in Scotland is to maximise the benefit for Scotland-based artists on the international platform that is the Fringe. As part of this, funding is available to support any work created in Scotland which attracts interest from international promoters as a result of being staged at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe between the years 2015 and 2024 – it is not just limited to those companies which have been part of a Made in Scotland showcase.
Before applying for Onward Touring support, please familiarise yourself with the Onward Touring guidance.
To start your application, or to preview the application form before you start completing it, visit the Onward Touring application portal.
Applications for the Onward Touring fund are open now until the budget is fully allocated, but you must apply at least eight weeks before you are due to travel.
If you need any assistance in completing the form, please contact us at madeinscotland@edfringe.com.
