The award gives the most talented recent graduates in stage design the chance to work with leading British companies on opera, theatre or dance productions. It gives 12 short-listed designers the chance to exhibit their models and designs at the Royal National Theatre in London. The four winners each receive cash prizes of not less than £5,500.

Prize Details: 12 finalists are selected, each winning £500. The four participating companies will each select three designers with whom they wish to work on a design project. These 12 designers will exhibit their finished projects at the Linbury Biennial Exhibition at the Royal National Theatre in London. Final judging takes place in late autumn 2003. Four winners are selected, of whom one is named as the overall Linbury Prize winner. All four winners receive £2,000, with the overall winner receiving an additional award. All four winners receive a commission to design a production for a leading theatre, opera or dance company, and a fee of £3,000 each.

Entries for the 2003 Linbury Biennial Prize are now open. Changes to the rules mean that students who graduated in 2002 can register to enter this year's competition. Applications are welcome from students and recent graduates whose courses and colleges are recognized by the Society of British Theatre Designers. The closing date is June 30.

Any budding young designers who qualify for the prize should apply before June 30, as the Linbury is a very helpful way for successful applicants to further their careers.