The BBC Drama Writers Academy 2010 is now open for applications.

To be eligible for this scheme, writers must have already had at least one professional (paid) drama commission in film, television, radio or theatre. The 2010 Academy will train up to eight writers over a period of 12 months. The first three months will consist of a paid training course in writing for Continuing Drama Series, consisting of a number of workshops and lectures accompanied by intensive writing exercises and analysis. During this period each writer will write a broadcast episode of Doctors.

Course participants will be required to attend classes at the BBC premises in Elstree for three days per week, and one day at Television Centre in London. Some expenses will be paid for writers based out of the London area for this period.

After this initial training and script, writers who have reached the required standard will rotate across Casualty, Holby City, and Eastenders, writing a broadcast episode for and spending a maximum of 12 weeks on each show.

At the end of the 12 months, each writer will have written for each of the four shows.

Writers will be engaged by the BBC for 12 months on a non-exclusive basis, although the course will be a full time commitment.

A retainer of £400 a week will be paid during the three month initial training course, and thereafter writers will be paid script fees for commissioned scripts on each of the four shows. These will be paid according to the usual payment schedule, Script fees for this twelve month training period will be paid on a favoured nations basis.

The BBC will have the option to request that writers commit to a further 12 months (on first call to the BBC) with at least two commissioned scripts to be guaranteed. Script fees for this second 12 month period would be paid at the writer's individual rate.

Deadline: 5 May 2010
Course to begin in mid September 2010

To find out more and apply, visit the BBC Jobs website.