We are currently accepting applications for the 2026 Research & Development Grant.

A recording of the R&D 2026 Informational Webinar and Q&A session is available here.

This year's open call includes several changes to the application and process:

1. We have updated application questions to be in line with the Core App 3.1.
2. We have transitioned to a new application platform that uses word counts instead of character counts. The word counts are in line with the Core App 3.1.
3. We have introduced an early-bird deadline a month ahead of the final deadline to apply. The deadlines correspond to different application fees (see below).

Deadlines and Application Fees:

• The early-bird deadline is Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 11:59pm ET with an application fee of $20. 
• The final application deadline is Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 11:59pm ET with an application fee of $35.

Overview

Now in its fourth year, the Research & Development Grant supports filmmakers from around the world who have directed at least one feature-length documentary and are in the research & development stage of their next feature-length film.

With continued grant-making support by Netflix, the Research & Development Grant supports directors to ideate and plan for their next feature-length film. Many filmmakers invest their personal resources into their films and face funding challenges when entering into the research & development stages of new projects. It is hard to secure funding for a new project without significant sample material, yet producing material without external funding can be almost impossible. To address this challenge, the Research & Development Grant provides financial support to directors during a filmmaking stage that is too often unpaid and unsupported. 

A total of $450,000 USD will be awarded in the following grant amounts:

• $10,000 USD grants for Research
• $20,000 USD grants for Development

The final number of Research Grants vs. Development Grants disbursed will be determined during the selection process, based on the characteristics and strength of the applicant pool for each category.

The purpose of the Research & Development Grant is to support projects at the early stages of their lifecycle. If you have already raised a significant amount of capital (over 35% of your film’s total budget) and have shot and/or edited a substantial amount of footage, you may not be competitive for this grant, unless you can demonstrate very specific needs for the project (such as previously overlooked research activity). 

We have separated the Research Grant from the Development Grant to allow early-stage projects to receive support without the need to submit all the deliverables required for projects in the development phase. 

We recognize that each documentary is unique and that processes for research and development, fundraising, and production can vary widely. The information provided here is not intended as strict eligibility criteria, but rather as general guidelines to help applicants understand the stage at which we aim to provide support for projects. 

The 2026 Chicken & Egg Films Research & Development Grant is generously supported by Netflix.