The Catapult Research Grant is now accepting applications for our 2026 program. Please carefully review our Guidelines and Eligibility and submit Step 1 of the application by February 2, 2026. Selected projects will be invited to advance to Step 2 and submit a full application for funding consideration.
Launched in 2020, the Catapult Research Grant expands upon our mission to provide early support to nonfiction filmmakers and films. This intensive program offers grants of $10,000 USD and dedicated mentorship to U.S.-based filmmakers in the early conception phase of a documentary feature or short. We do not support docuseries at this time. Learn more about previous Catapult Research Fund grantees
Our latest program seeks to address filmmaker sustainability and diversity in the field, with a focus on artists from systemically marginalized communities. In 2026, we will support filmmakers who share a desire to deepen their craft and an ongoing commitment to the art of nonfiction storytelling. The grant can be used for a variety of needs for developing new nonfiction film ideas including: research, writing, travel, crew, identifying and gaining access to protagonists, and any preliminary production costs associated with shaping the artistic vision or capturing early footage. Learn more about Frequently Asked Questions
Key Dates
The Catapult Research Grant is a two-step application process. Applicants must review Guidelines and Eligibility and Procedure and Checklist in order to submit Step 1 of the application. After an internal review, selected projects will be invited to submit the full application for funding consideration.
- January 7, 2026: Step 1 application opens on Submittable
- February 2, 2026: Step 1 application closes at 5 p.m. PT
- Late February 2026: Invitations sent to top projects for Step 2 (full application)
- March 2026: Applicants notified of status, finalists may receive follow up questions
- Spring 2026: 2026 Research cohort announced
- March - September 2026: Required program commitment; monthly virtual sessions from March through June, with ongoing mentorship through September