16 music grants & funding opportunities for UK musicians

When you're trying to launch or grow your dream music career, the last thing you need is to be ground to a halt by a lack of funds. Everyone deserves to be able to share their musical talents, not only those with their own financial backing - and that's where the organisations and charities on this list come in.

There are a range of music grants and funding offered each year to cover music study, recording costs, travel and much more. Explore these music grants and take advantage of the great opportunities available.

Contents

1. The International Showcase Fund (ISF) for artists to perform overseas
2. The Open Fund for Music Creators 
3. PPL Momentum Music Fund for established artists to take their career to the next level
4. Women Make Music Fund for women, trans and non-binary artists
5. PPS Composers’ Fund
6. PPS The Hitmaker Fund for established songwriters and producers
7. Arts Council England Creative Practice for independent musicians
8. Arts Council National Lottery Project Grant
9. Creative Scotland Open Fund
10. Stephen Oliver Award for composers
11. Ian Fleming Musical Theatre Awards for postgraduate students
12. Sybil Tutton Opera Awards for postgraduate students
13. The Mendelssohn Scholarship for composition students
14. Peter Whittingham Jazz Award for jazz musicians
15. Help Musicians Next Level Award for individual artists
16. Help Musicians Fast Track Award

1. The International Showcase Fund (ISF) - British Council for artists to perform overseas

ISF offers a rolling grant to help UK music creators (artists, bands, songwriters and producers) fund international opportunities. This could involve performing or creating new music at international showcasing festivals, songwriting camps or conferences.

Submissions open: Open with rolling deadlines

Grant: £5,500

Entry fee: Free

2. The Open Fund for Music Creators 

The Open Fund for Music Creators supports talented musicians across all genres and career stages. It funds projects involving original music creation or commissioned works.

Projects must meet these three key criteria:

1. Creating, performing & promoting new music in any genre.
2. You need to demonstrate why the activity is vital to your growth and professional journey.
3. You must outline your target audience and how you plan to engage them, whether locally, nationally, or internationally.

The fund can cover costs of creating new music, touring and live performances, recording and releasing music and launching marketing strategies.

Submissions open:

• 1st round: 3 March 2025
• 2nd round: 1 September 2025

Final deadline:

• 1st round: 6pm, 31 March 2025
• 2nd round: 6pm, 29 September 2025

Grant: Up to £5,000

3. PPL Momentum Music Fund for established artists to take their career to the next level

The PPL Momentum Fund provides music grants of up to £15,000 to help UK-based artists and bands reach the next stage of their careers. This funding can be used for recording, touring, writing, and marketing, giving you the support you need to grow your audience and advance professionally.

The fund is aimed at established artists rather than those just starting out. If you are a musician at an earlier stage of your career you are encouraged to explore The Open Fund.

Submissions open:

• 1st round: 14 April 2025
• 2nd round: 14 July 2025
• 3rd round: 29 September 2025

Final deadline:

• 1st round: 12 May 2025
• 2nd round: 11 August 2025
• 3rd round: 27 October 2025

Grant: £5,000 - £15,000

4. Women Make Music Fund for women, trans and non-binary artists

The Women Make Music fund supports the development of women, trans, and non-binary songwriters and composers across all genres and career stages. It provides music funding for artists, bands, and performers who are actively writing their own songs and need help gaining visibility in the industry.

Past recipients include Anna Meredith, ESKA, Emma-Jean Thackray, Carleen Anderson, Cassie Kinoshi, Let’s Eat Grandma, Jessica Curry, Judith Weir, Kelly Lee Owens, and Little Boots.

The fund aims to challenge stereotypes in the music industry by promoting role models for future generations, increasing the visibility of underrepresented music creators in the UK and encouraging more applications from those who may not have previously sought PRS Foundation funding.

Submissions open:

• 1st round: 3 March 2025
• 2nd round: 1 September 2025

Final deadline:

• 1st round: 31 March 2025
• 2nd round: 29 September 2025

Grant: up to £5,000.

5. Composers’ Fund for music composers

The PRS Foundation’s Composers’ Fund provides £8,000–£15,000 in music funding for composers at pivotal stages in their careers. It is designed for those with a strong track record who are already making a significant cultural impact in the UK and have the potential for further growth both nationally and internationally.

The fund supports up to 15 composers per year. You must demonstrate how the funding would help you take a major step forward in your career.

The money can support recording costs, promotion and tours in the UK and internationally, artist collaboration, childcare costs and more.

Previous recipients include Charlotte Bray, James Weeks, Hilda Paredes, Gavin Higgins, and Erika Fox.

Submissions open:

• 1st round: 17 February 2025
• 2nd round: 8 September 2025

Final deadline:

• 1st round: 1 April 2025
• 2nd round: 6 October 2025

Grant: £8,000 – £15,000

6. The Hitmaker Fund for established songwriters and producers

The Hitmaker Fund is not for performing artists or bands. Instead, it is aimed at songwriters and producers with a proven track record working in popular music genres.

The funds can cover costs for training and skills development, songwriting and production, studio hire, equipment, international opportunities and more.

So if you work in music creation, this fund could help you develop your career and enhance your writing and production skills.

Submissions open: 1 September 2025

Final deadline: 29 September 2025

Grant: £5,000 –  £10,000

7. Arts Council England Creative Practice for independent musicians

The Developing Your Creative Practice fund supports independent creators including musicians, DJs, producers, and composers, in advancing their careers. It encourages innovation, risk-taking, and new ways of working to help artists reach new audiences and sustain long-term creative success.

You can apply individually or as a small collaborative group, with up to four application deadlines per year. The fund provides the opportunity to develop your skills, expand your networks, and explore new creative opportunities.

Eligible activities include: connecting with industry professionals for future collaborations and opportunities, creating new work, experimenting with new collaborators, international travel and professional development.

Submissions open: Future rounds will be announced in early 2025

Grant: £2,000 to £12,000

8. Arts Council National Lottery Project Grant

This lottery fund supports individuals and cultural organisations who incorporate arts, creativity, and culture into their work. It is designed for projects that align with specific artistic disciplines (such as music) and engage communities in England with high-quality cultural experiences, either during the project or in the future.

For grants of £30,000 or less, the decision takes eight weeks and for grants over £30,000 it will take around 12 weeks.

Your project must have:

•  A start and end date
• Defined goals to achieve within the timeframe
• Opportunities for public engagement, allowing people to experience or participate in creativity and culture

Submissions open: You can apply at any time

Grant: £1,000 to £100,000

9. Creative Scotland Open Fund for individuals

This fund is not only for musicians, it was set up to support a wide range of creative activities. To be eligible you must be based in Scotland and you can apply for grants of up to £50K.

The money can go towards research, development and project activity lasting up to 24 months.

Your application must demonstrate how your musical project will not only benefit your own creative development but also provide opportunities for the wider community to develop, evolve and flourish.

Submissions open: You can apply at any time

Grant: £500 to £50,000

10. Stephen Oliver Award for composers

The Stephen Oliver Award is a biennial grant supporting emerging composers who have created a music theatre work. The award helps cover the costs of performing your work.

To be eligible to apply you must live in the UK and the performance must also take place in the UK.

You must submit a copy of the score and libretto (and links to recordings if available) as well as examples of other compositions, a detailed cost estimate for production expenses, a progress report on securing other music funding and potential performance dates.

Submissions open: Currently open

Final deadline: 30th April 2025

Grant: up to £5,000

11. Ian Fleming Musical Theatre Award for postgraduate students

If you intend to study musical theatre either in the final year of your undergraduate course or as a postgraduate, you can apply to receive between £1,000 and £5,000 to go towards your fees and associated living expenses.

See the website for eligible conservatoires or performing arts colleges in the UK. Support is available for the next academic year starting in September.

Submissions open: 7 April 2025

Final deadline: 2 May 2025

Grant: £1,000 - £5,000

12. Sybil Tutton Opera Award for postgraduate students

If you are a music student intending to study opera either in the final year of your undergraduate course or as a postgraduate, you can apply to receive between £1,000 and £5,000 to go towards your fees and associated living expenses.

See the website for eligible conservatoires or performing arts colleges in the UK. Support is available for the next academic year starting in September.

Submissions open: 7 April 2025

Final deadline: 2 May 2025

Grant: £1,000 - £5,000

13. The Mendelssohn Scholarship for composition students

The Mendelssohn Scholarship provides financial support for composers in the UK to pursue advanced study, either within the UK or at renowned international musical institutions. The funding can be used for tuition fees and associated travel costs, helping you to further develop your skills and career.

The scholarship is primarily intended for postgraduate students, though final-year undergraduate students may also be considered.

To be eligible, you must be studying or planning to study a postgraduate course in composition.

You must demonstrate your ability by submitting three manuscript scores, one of which must include a recording.

Submissions open: 22 April 2025

Final deadline: 23 May 2025

Grant: £7,000

14. Peter Whittingham Jazz Award for jazz musicians

The Peter Whittingham Jazz Award provides £5,000 in financial support and one-to-one business advice to emerging jazz artists or groups looking to advance their careers.

If you are at a pivotal stage in your journey where professional backing can make a significant difference, this grant is for you.

Since its launch in 1990, the award has supported influential jazz artists, including Xhosa Cole, Soweto Kinch, Errollyn Wallen, and Roller Trio. The award is open to creators from all backgrounds, with a particular focus on supporting underrepresented groups in jazz.

Submissions open: 18 August 2025

Final deadline: 12 September 2025

Grant: £5,000

15. Help Musicians Next Level Award for individual artists

The Next Level Award is designed for musicians with a strong track record who need financial and professional support to take on larger, long-term projects. If you have the skills and ambition but lack the necessary resources, this award could help you advance your career.

The programme includes one-to-one business advice and peer support, alongside up to £3,000 in funding to help you pursue your musical goals. It also provides opportunities to connect with other musicians and industry professionals.

To be eligible, you must be:

• A working musician living in the UK
• Able to complete the funded activities within 12 months
• In control of at least one aspect of your career (e.g., self-managing, self-releasing, or self-producing)

See the website for full eligibility criteria.

Submissions open:

• 1st round: 1 April 2025
• 2nd round: 15 September 2025

Final deadline:

• 1st round: 9 May 2025
• 2nd round: 10 October 2025

Grant: Up to £3,000

16. Help Musicians Fast Track Award for individual artists

The Fast Track support fund is designed to help working musicians seize career-changing opportunities that can have a lasting impact. Whether it's attending a short course, investing in new software, or funding a recording, release, or performance.

The funding aims to boost or sustain your income from music or help you participate in opportunities that enhance your career. It can be used for courses, networking, equipment, and costs related to recording, releasing, and performing.

Each application is carefully reviewed based on opportunity, need, and impact. The panel looks for applicants who can demonstrate how the funding will support long-term career growth and income stability.

Please note that you cannot apply for other Help Musicians support alongside this.

Submissions open:

• 1st round: 6 May 2025
• 2nd round: 7 July 2025
• 3rd round: 13 October 2025

Final deadline:

• 1st round: 23 May 2025
• 2nd round: 25 July 2025
• 3rd round: 31 October 2025

Grant: Up to £500

Final thoughts

There you have it, we hope you can take advantage of music funding to take your career to the next level. Winning a grant could allow you to record or promote your next album, play at your dream music festival, or shoot your first music video.

If you need a space to rehearse or are looking for a London recording studio or an epic music video location, Tutti has you covered with amazing spaces for hire.