The Basics
The Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting is an international competition open to screenwriters who have not earned more than $5,000 writing fictional work for film or television.

Entry scripts must be the original work of one writer, or the collaborative work of two writers, and must be written originally in English. Adaptations and translated scripts are not eligible.

• The Prizes
  Up to five $30,000 fellowships are awarded each year to promising new screenwriters. From the program’s inception in 1986 through 2007, over $2.6 million have been awarded to 109 writers.

• Entry Requirements
  A complete entry includes an original feature film screenplay approximately 90 to 120 pages in length, an application form, and a US$30 entry fee.

• Online Applications
  You can apply online by visiting www.oscars.org/nicholl and following the links. The online application system allows entrants to submit an application form electronically and pay the entry fee with a credit card. It also allows entrants to confirm receipt of their entries and to update their contact information at any time during the competition. We currently do not accept electronic script submissions. For script submission requirements, see below.

• Script Submissions
  A physical (paper) copy of your script is required. Whether you apply online or submit a paper application form, you must send a physical copy of your script to the Nicholl competition, by mail or professional delivery service, postmarked on or before the May 1, 2008, to the mailing address below.

• Application Forms
  Application forms are available between January and May 1 each year. During that period, you can download and print the online form in PDF or Word format. You can also request a form by contacting us via e-mail at nicholl@oscars.org, or via surface mail at the mailing address below.

• Payment
  The US$30 entry fee may be paid online via credit card or via check made out to Academy Foundation.

• Mailing Address
  Please send your entry materials and any other correspondence to:
  
  Nicholl Fellowships
  1313 Vine Street
  Hollywood, CA 90028-8107

• Entry Deadline
  Entries must be postmarked each year by May 1.

• The Competition
  Since 1991, over 3,500 writers have entered the Nicholl Fellowships each year. A record 6,073 entries were received in 2004. All scripts are read at least once in the competition. About half are read a second time and about one-sixth are read a third time. About 5 percent of entries advance to the competition quarterfinals, about 2 percent advance to the semifinals and about ten reach the finals.

• Judging
  The first and quarterfinal rounds are judged by industry professionals who are not members of the Academy. The semifinal round is judged by Academy members drawn from across the spectrum of the motion picture industry. The finalist scripts are judged by the Nicholl Committee.

• Announcements
  All entrants will receive notification of their status by mail sent no later than August 1 of each year. Quarterfinalist letters are mailed by August 1; fellowship recipients are announced in late October.
  
  Additional information can be found elsewhere on this site: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), which includes a more complete description of the competition process; Brief Notes on Several Nicholl Fellows, which lists films written by past fellowship recipients; and a downloadable Nicholl application form.

• Past Fellowship Recipients
  Past Nicholl fellows include writer-directors Allison Anders, Victoria Arch, Doug Atchison, Radha Bharadwaj, Raymond De Felitta, Robert Edwards, Jacob Estes, Anthony Jaswinski, Kurt Kuenne, Mark Lowenthal, Karen Moncrieff and James Mottern; and writers Max Adams, Gabrielle Burton, Ronald Emmons, Jeffrey Eugenides, Scott Fifer, Myron Goble, Susannah Grant, Ehren Kruger, T.J. Lynch, Andrew Marlowe, Randy McCormick, Jim McGlynn, Annmarie Morais, Dawn O’Leary, Deborah Pryor, Mike Rich, Bragi Schut, T.C. Smith, Rebecca Sonnenshine and Warren Taylor.