CFAs: Youth Music NextGen Fund (United Kingdom)

Funding Information

• Your total budget must be between £1000 – £2000 (£500 will be automatically included to your budget for ‘Time to Create’) and there are some limits on how much you can spend on certain items.

What’s the fund for?

• This fund is designed to help emerging artists and professionals develop the skills needed to participate in the fast-moving music industries. Modern creatives are having to be more versatile than ever, and they want to see young people challenging themselves to adapt to the modern climate. This could be developing skills like video editing, graphic design, coding alongside their artistic venture.
• You can apply to develop a project that you can run and deliver mostly yourself. Here are some examples of ideas:
  • A creative music project: a Single, EP or contribution towards an album campaign. The music can be already made or in the process of being created.
  • A music-based business: starting a record label or music platform.
  • A platform that supports underrepresented voices and perspectives: Supporting leaders that build communities and help facilitate others in pursuing their creative goals.
  • An event or series of events showcasing other emerging artists: This is a new option for 2022. They want to support new promoters and help new artists gain experience performing on stage.

Who’s the fund for?

• To apply you must:
  • Be aged 18 to 25 at the point of the application deadline. If you identify as d/Deaf, Disabled or
  • Neurodivergent, you can be aged 18 to 30.
  • Be living in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
  • Have a UK bank account in the exact name you are applying under.
  • Be able to start your project within 3 months of hearing your project has been funded.
• People working towards a career in the music industries, but lack key contacts, resources, and insights. They might be:
  • Musicians, Producers, Engineers, DJs, MCs, Rappers, Songwriters.
  • Managers, Promoters, A&Rs, Agents.
  • Activists and campaigners who are transforming the music industries.
• In the funding decisions, they will prioritise:
  • People who do not have the financial means to invest in themselves to get their ideas started.
  • People that are too early stage to be funded by larger grant programmes like Arts Council England and PRS Foundation.
  • Those who might be discriminated against, for reasons that could include Gender, Race, Disability, location, or other characteristics.
  • People who are creative, entrepreneurial and are multi-disciplinary – even if they don’t recognise themselves as such

Ineligibility Criteria

• Applications from people who are not aged 18 to 25 (or aged 18 to 30 if d/Deaf, Disabled or Neurodivergent).
• Activities, goods, or services that have already been bought or taken place before your project begins.
• Applicants who are already receiving significant financial backing.
• Activities that are not music or career development focused.
• Individuals can apply to start a new business idea, but they can’t accept applications from existing organisations or businesses.
• Overheads. E.g. rent, utilities and insurance.
• Activities that promote a political or religious view.
• Opportunities already funded by Youth Music. E.g. you are being funded through an Incubator Fund project.
• If you have been funded before by the Youth Music NextGen fund, then you are not able to apply again.

For more information, visit National Foundation for Youth Music.