SFFILM Sloan Stories of Science Development Fund

 
The Sloan Stories of Science Development Fund is now open!

Overview

The SFFILM Sloan Stories of Science Development Fund is funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation as part of their mission to champion films that explore scientific or technological themes. SFFILM will award two to four $10,000-$20,000 grants to filmmakers in the early stages of writing screenplays inspired by discoveries from the Stories of Science Sourcebook.

The Stories of Science Sourcebook is composed of significant scientific and technological Discoveries made in recent years as a source of inspiration to filmmakers interested in telling fictionalized stories that explore the discovery’s underlying themes or characters, and dramatize the impact of these breakthroughs on members of the broader public.

Filmmakers may take creative latitude when proposing adaptations of these stories, however, their proposals must be grounded in both the material and a commitment to portraying the science or technology at the center of the stories in a manner that is realistic and grounded in scientific research.

Recipients of the Stories of Science Development Fund who draw their inspiration from the articles and discoveries collected in the Stories of Science Sourcebook will receive a $10,000-$20,000 cash grant and secure access to SFFILM’s comprehensive and dynamic artist development programsduring which they will receive guidance and mentorship from scientists and film industry professionals to help them shape their storytelling vision.

Browse the Stories of Science Sourcebook Discoveries here.

Timeline

• Grant opens Tue, March 4, 2025
• Regular Deadline Fri, May 16, 2025 (Application Fee $30)
• Final Deadline Fri, May 30, 2025 (Application Fee $50)
• Finalists Notified in September 2025
• Recipients Announced in October 2025

Who Can Apply

Applicant Criteria

• Applicant must be at least 18 years old.
• Applicant may not be an SFFILM or Sloan employee or a member of any SFFILM or Sloan boards.
• Applicant must be the writer of the film.
• Project must be inspired by a discovery in the Science in Cinema Sourcebook.
• Project must be a feature length narrative/fiction film.
• Project must be consistent with SFFILM’s mission and represent an imaginative contribution to the moving image art form.
• There must be realistic scientific or technological content at the center of the screenplay.
• Project must be inspired by a discovery in the Science in Cinema Sourcebook.
• Project must be a feature-length fiction film or episodic series. Documentaries or short films are not accepted.
• Project must be consistent with SFFILM’s mission and represent an imaginative contribution to the moving image art form.
• There must be realistic scientific or technological content at the center of the screenplay.
• Writers must have the intention of working with scientific advisors to ensure the accuracy of their stories.
• Science-fiction and speculative stories are, in almost every case, ineligible. In some rare cases, a futuristic story might be eligible if it involves science or technology that is truly on the cusp of being introduced to society.

Grantee Responsibilities

Financial Stipulations

• Funds must be used towards developing the screenplay and/or living expenses.
• Filmmaker will sign an agreement with SFFILM.
• Filmmaker understands there will be a press release announcing chosen fellows. Unless otherwise specified during the approval process, the submitted bio and logline will be used in the press release.
• Filmmaker agrees to submit a progress report detailing how the funds were spent alongside a new writing sample.
• Supported filmmakers shall provide acknowledgment to SFFILM and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. SFFILM and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation are to be listed with other comparable funders with language that mirrors or is similar to: “Made with support from SFFILM and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.”

How to Apply

To begin the application process, navigate to the “Apply Now” page to review the required items for submission. If you have not yet created an account for the SFFILM Grant Platform, please do so (please note: this is separate from your SFFILM member account).

Please select ‘SFFILM Narrative Grants 2025’ from the dropdown menu and complete the core questions. If eligible, you are welcome to submit to more than one of our Narrative grants by answering supplemental questions for each opportunity you’d like to be considered for.

If you are a member of SFFILM, your application fee is waived. If you are not a member of SFFILM, there is an application fee that must be paid in order for your submission to be considered. To pay the application fee, enter your credit card information at the end of the application before submitting. Email support@sffilm.org if you have any technical questions.

Application Elements (subject to change):

• Bio (400 words or less)
• Logline. In a couple of sentences, please describe the crux of your film (95 words or less)
• Project synopsis (400 words or less)
• Brief description of the scientific or technological ideas you are exploring through this story (300 words or less)
• In what ways could this story expand the public understanding of science or technology? (300 words or less)
• What scientific or artistic guidance and research would you seek out to write this screenplay? (300 words or less)

Work Sample Materials (subject to change)

• A one-page treatment. This should give us a clear sense of the beginning, middle and end of the story, as well as your central characters.
• A one-page writer’s statement. Please describe your vision for this project. What drew you to this material or story? What themes are most compelling to you? How do you imagine the characters, tone and visual style manifesting in the script?
• A previous work sample, with explanation. Either a ten-page writing sample or a five-minute visual sample. For visual materials, the primary applicant must have been the screenwriter.

For more information about our grants and fellowships, please contact grants@sffilm.org.