The funding is intended to strengthen the UK's music sector by supporting sustainable and inclusive growth, developing emerging talent, enhancing grassroots music infrastructure, creating new opportunities for artists, creators and businesses, and expanding audiences and markets in the UK and internationally. Music Growth Fund grants are available through two funding strands: £1,000 to £40,000 and £40,001 to £100,000. Applicants must apply to the strand that matches their funding request. Funding can support activities lasting up to three years.
Applicants should note the following:
- For applications between £1,000 and £40,000, applicants are required to find at least 25% of their total budget in cash from sources other than Arts Council England.
- For applications between £40,001 and £100,000, applicants are required to find at least 50% of their total budget in cash from sources other than Arts Council England.
The two strands of the Music Growth Fund (£1,000 to £40,000 and £40,001 to £100,000) have a different number of decision rounds each year. In each full year of delivery there will be ten decision rounds for the £1,000 to £40,000 strand and four decision rounds for the £40,001 to £100,000 strand.
Upcoming application periods are as follows:
Music Growth Fund: £1,000 to £40,000 strand
- Round One: 6 August 2026 to 3 September 2026
- Round Two: 4 September 2026 to 15 October 2026
- Round Three: 16 October 2026 to 26 November 2026
- Round Four: 27 November 2026 to 7 January 2027
Music Growth Fund: £40,001 to £100,000 strand
- Round One: 7 September 2026 to 1 October 2026
- Round Two: 23 November 2026 to 15 January 2027