Yes. The programme is fully funded, so there's nothing to pay. You just need to turn up and do the work.

You need to be aged 18 to 30 on 5 October 2026, living in South Yorkshire, and either freelancing, running a business, or seriously thinking about starting one.

Yes. Plenty of our best participants start with an idea and a side hustle rather than a company number. What matters is that you're building something and ready to be visible.

Only if you've been trading for less than three years. The funding is aimed at people in the early stages, so that's a firm limit.

Yes. Freelancing or building a business alongside part-time or full-time work absolutely counts.

Unfortunately not this time. The funding is tied to those criteria so we can't make exceptions. Join our mailing list and we'll let you know about future opportunities.

About 10 minutes. There's no CV, no business plan and nothing to prepare.

Wednesday 30th September 2026 at 11:59pm. But don't leave it until then, see below.

Within 24 hours of applying. We review applications as they come in rather than waiting for the deadline, so places fill up as we go. If you're interested, apply now rather than on the last night.

Every application is read and scored by two people against the same criteria. We're looking at you, not at how far along you are. Your motivation, your goals, and whether you can commit to the full eight weeks. Whether you've been trading for two years or you've got an idea you haven't told anyone about yet makes no difference.

60 across the four areas.

5 October to 4 December 2026.

Most of it. There are three days in person across the whole eight weeks and everything else is online.

Three: an opening day in your local area in October, a content-creation day at the Digital Media Centre in Barnsley in November (10am to 4pm), and the Final Showcase at the Digital Media Centre on Wednesday 2nd December. You choose your dates and location on the application form.

We kick off online on Monday 5th October, run weekly online sessions through the programme, and finish with an online wrap-up on Friday 4th December. You'll get the full timetable when you're offered a place.

We record them so you can catch up. Recordings are shared only with your cohort and deleted 8 weeks after the programme ends.

We ask you to commit to the full eight weeks when you accept your place. The three in-person days are the ones we really need you at. If something comes up, tell us as early as you can.

A clear personal brand, a content strategy you can keep using, optimised profiles, real content you've made, and a network of local founders. Not a certificate for the shelf.

No. This is training, mentoring and access to a network, not cash. If you're after a grant, this isn't it.

No. A phone and a laptop are enough. On the content-creation day you'll have the facilities at the Digital Media Centre.

Travel isn't funded as standard. If cost is the thing stopping you taking part, tell us and we'll see what we can do.

Tell us on the application form. We'll use it to make sure the sessions and venues work for you, and it plays no part in whether you're offered a place. If you'd rather talk it through, email hello@studioselfmade.com.

There's photography and filming at the in-person events, and we ask for your written consent separately. You can say no to some or all of it and still take part in everything. It makes no difference to your place.

You do. Your business, your brand, your ideas and everything you make on the programme belong to you. We won't reuse your posts or videos in our marketing without asking.

Studio Self-Made is the data controller. We explain exactly what we collect, why, who we share it with and how long we keep it in our Participant Privacy Notice. The Programme Terms and Conditions cover everything else.

Self-Made in 60 Days is delivered by Studio Self-Made, commissioned by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and funded by Quickline.