Competition

Supporting freelance careers from planning to professional practice.

The Freelancer Fund aims to support Open University students and recent alumni who are building careers as freelancers, sole traders or portfolio workers.

This fund recognises freelancing as a legitimate, skilled and sustainable career pathway and is designed to support individuals at different points along their freelance journey — from planning and preparation through to active freelance practice.

The OBC Freelance Fund sits alongside (but distinct from) the OBC Startup Fund, ensuring freelancers receive targeted support that reflects the realities of freelance and portfolio careers.

This opportunity is open to individuals who are:

• Planning to begin freelancing
• Already trading as freelancers or sole traders
• Developing portfolio careers alongside other work or study
• Transitioning from employment into freelance work
• Strengthening, professionalising or sustaining an existing freelance practice.

You do not need to:

• be incorporated
• have employees
• operate a scalable startup
• have high or consistent income.

Freelancing is recognised here as project‑based, incremental and non‑linear, and applications will be assessed accordingly.

What the freelance track focuses on:

• developing a clear freelance offer or service
• building or strengthening a professional portfolio
• understanding pricing, contracts, tax and legal basics
• developing confidence, resilience and professional boundaries
• accessing or preparing for paid freelance opportunities
• building sustainable freelance careers, not just short‑term work.

Funding is available to support both planning and active freelance practice.

We will award up to 10 grants of £1,000 each

Funding may be used for:

• portfolio development
• equipment or tools
• training and skills development
• professional costs (insurance, software, website)
• access needs or barriers to freelance work.

Whether you are planning your freelance career or already trading, the Fund will help you to:

• Clearly articulate your freelance identity and offer
• Develop client‑ready portfolios and materials
• Build knowledge of professional, legal and financial fundamentals
• Strengthen confidence, resilience and decision‑making
• Invest safely and strategically in your freelance practice
• Take realistic next steps towards sustainable independent work.

To apply, you will use Validate, an online development platform provided by The Open University, to create a portfolio explaining your business model.

Validate will support you to:

• describe your freelance work or intended practice
• clarify who you work with (or plan to work with)
• explain how you generate or will generate income
• outline how the funding will support your freelance journey.

This approach ensures all applicants benefit from structured reflection and development, regardless of funding outcome.

Key dates:

• Q&A Session: Friday 15 May 2026 (details to follow)
• Applications close: Friday 12 June 2026
• Funding decisions announced: By 26 June 2026