CFAs: PPL Momentum Music Fund (United Kingdom)

Managed by PRS Foundation, the PPL Momentum Music Fund awards grants using funds from PRS Foundation, with support from PPL, Arts Council of Wales, Creative Wales and Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

What can be funded? 

• The PPL Momentum Music Fund awards grants of £5,000-£15,000 using funds from PRS Foundation.
• Recording – new album, EP, single, producer, engineer, mixer fees, studio hire, session musician fees, etc. or a combination of these elements.
• Touring (UK only) – travel, accommodation, musician fees, set/production design, tour management, equipment hire, etc.
• Marketing and promotions – PR, radio plugger, digital marketing, music videos, merchandise production, etc.
• Purchase of equipment/software/hardware (covers up to 20% of costs)
• Note: They will prioritise contributing to expenditure which helps you/the artist to develop professionally and creatively. The PRS Foundation will also prioritise project activity that is based in the UK.

What can’t be funded?

• Van/car purchase
• International touring
• Support for a roster of artists – each application must focus on one artist
• Projects requesting funding that would, is or could be covered by the deal the artist/band has with a label, publisher, management company or other relationships (e.g. touring costs).
• Capital projects (e.g. building work)
• Building a studio

Eligible Activities

• Activities eligible for support include recording, writing, touring and marketing:
  • This application is not for artists/bands just starting out, demoing and playing their first gigs. If you are at an earlier stage in your career please click here for other funding options, including The Open Fund.
  • Those working in contemporary popular music are more likely to be supported than those working in contemporary classical. They recommend The Composers’ Fund for composers at the ‘Next Level’ of their careers
  • Those working behind the scenes as Songwriters or Producers with writing credits should apply to the Hitmaker fund.

Who can apply? 

• Artists/Bands applying for the PPL Momentum Music Fund must be at a crucial tipping point in their careers, showing current progression and growth as an artist with the potential to significantly develop their careers over the next two years. The activity that PPL Momentum Music funding would support must take place in the UK.
• In exceptional circumstances they will support activity such as recording in international territories. Applicants must make a compelling case as to why this activity cannot happen in the UK and they recommend you speak to a member of the team to check eligibility.
• Applications can be made by artists/bands directly or representatives of the artist. Those who can apply on behalf of an artist are;
  • Manager
  • Label
  • Publisher
  • Booking agent
  • PR/Plugger
  • Lawyer
  • Trusted advisor to the artist
• Please note: Any resulting grant offer is made to the music creator. Authorised representatives can in effect project manage funded activity. However, should there be a change in team around the artist or should the funding support not reach the music creator, the PRS Foundation would reclaim monies paid/owed in order to ensure that the funds are used solely for the purposes outlined in the application directly for the benefit of the music creator.

Eligibility Criteria

• If you answer YES to the questions below you may qualify for the PPL Momentum Music Fund and should consider applying.
  • Are you an artist/band based in the UK?
  • Do you write and perform your own music?
  • Have you been profiled/featured in national press, media and received coverage in UK wide blogs as an artist/band?
  • Have you played shows or been asked to play multiple shows across the UK?
  • Do you have evidence of a strong fan base nationally and regionally?
  • Do you have at least one team member (e.g. a manager, booking agent, record label, publisher, PR/Plugger, and/or lawyer)
  • They are unable to support artists signed to ‘major label deals’
• Eligible applicants will be artists, bands or producers who write their own music or play an active role in the creation of new music.

For more information, visit PRS Foundation.