5 Music Grants for May 2026
Scops Arts Trust
Who are they?
A UK grant-maker supporting performing arts activity, with particular interest in smaller and medium-sized organisations. Its grant rounds are themed, so eligibility depends on the particular focus of each round.
What are they funding?
The May 2026 round focuses on structured early-career artist performance programmes in dance, drama and music. The emphasis is on meaningful public-facing performance outcomes rather than general participation, education or informal showcase activity.
Read the round criteria carefully before drafting. Make sure your proposed outcomes clearly fit the activity the funder is seeking to support.
Supporting Grassroots Music
ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND
Who are they?
Supporting Grassroots Music is an Arts Council England programme supporting organisations working across England’s grassroots music ecology.
What are they funding?
Funding can support live music venues, festivals, independent promoters, rehearsal and recording spaces and sector bodies. Strong proposals should demonstrate how the project strengthens talent development, progression routes, audiences or the wider grassroots music infrastructure.
Be specific about progression. Identify who benefits, what pathway is being created or strengthened, and what will be measurably different after the project.
PRS Foundation Early Career Promoter Fund
Who are they?
PRS Foundation is a major charitable funder of new music and talent development. This programme supports early-career independent promoters and aims to strengthen local and regional music ecosystems.
What are they funding?
Grants can support the programming and promotion of gigs, concerts, club nights, showcases and tours, alongside costs such as venue hire, production, artist fees, mentoring, training and other capacity-building activity.
Make the case for why support at this stage will help build your track record, audience and longer-term sustainability as a promoter.
Fidelio Charitable Trust
Who are they?
Fidelio supports exceptional early-career individuals and groups working in music, theatre and related performing arts. Applications must be submitted through an eligible institution or organisation rather than directly by the individual artist.
What are they funding?
Support may cover opportunities such as coaching, masterclasses, competitions, performances and other forms of professional development for artists who are ready to take a significant next step.
Explain why the artist is ready, why the opportunity matters now and exactly what difference the support will make.
Youth Music Trailblazer Fund
Who are they?
Youth Music supports children and young people’s music-making across the UK, particularly where young people face barriers to participation, education or progression within music.
What are they funding?
The Trailblazer Fund supports projects for children and young people aged 25 and under. Projects should clearly connect with Youth Music’s published themes and demonstrate how the work removes barriers or changes existing practice.
Choose the Youth Music theme that genuinely fits your project. A focused application addressing one clear barrier will usually be stronger than trying to cover every priority.