The Edinburgh International Television Festival has opened submissions for its hugely popular Talent Schemes programmes.

The charitable organisation, whose mission is to identify and nurture the next generation of talent from all backgrounds runs The Network and Ones to Watch, the industry’s most respected training programmes. Running concurrently every year, the schemes help talent from a diverse range of backgrounds across the UK kick-start their careers in the TV industry.

The Network was set up in 1991 to give talent with little or no experience their vital first step on the TV ladder. Designed for those who want to work behind the camera, places are highly coveted with 60 hopefuls accepted onto the scheme every year. Successful applicants benefit from a four-day course that takes place alongside the world-famous TV Festival in August. This is followed by 12 months of mentoring and paid work placements with some of the TV industry’s most prestigious companies.

Ones to Watch, founded in 1994, is aimed at those who already have three or more years’ experience in TV and are looking to make the next big step in their career. With only 30 places available on this course, only the most impressive entrants are selected. Candidates are drawn from all areas of the TV industry–from assistant producers to directors, writers to marketers, schedulers, business and legal.

Applications can be submitted via the website and are open until 28 April 2017 at 23:00. All applicants must be over 18. Shortlisted applicants will be notified in May.