GBH Kids has launched a new fellowship program focused on early-career writers from historically excluded communities. The GBH Kids Scriptwriting Fellowship will see these writers create scripts for a yet-to-be-announced STEM-focused animated series from the Boston-based pubcaster.

The program will take place virtually over 10 sessions beginning in January and ending in April. Mentorship and feedback from the GBH Kids team—as well as guest writers and producers from the industry at large—will take place from May through August.

Up to five writers will be chosen to participate and will leave the fellowship with a completed script that will then be considered by the GBH team for further development for broadcast. Participants will receive US$4,000 for their participation, and all scripts will be solely owned by the WGBH Educational Foundation.

Candidates must be at least 18 years old and eligible to work in the US. To participate, applicants can’t have had a script produced or distributed by a major network or streamer.

Writers can apply online with a five- to 11-page script that is appropriate for a children’s audience up to age 10. Applications will be accepted up to 5pm ET on November 12.

Marisa Wolsky, GBH Kids’ director of children’s STEM media, will run the program alongside senior producer Sofy Solomon. Major funding for the fellowship is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and a Ready To Learn grant from the US Department of Education.

This program is part of GBH’s effort to increase diversity both on screen and behind the camera after data released in July showed the pubcaster’s workforce was 80% white. A number of kidcos have launched similar programs, including a talent fellowship from California-based prodco Encantos, an animation fellowship from Netflix and a scholarship program from Toronto-based toy and entertainment company Spin Master.