Funding For Musicians: 36 opportunities for independent artists in 2026

Ready to take your music career to the next level in 2026? We’ve done the legwork for you and gathered 36 of the best grants, funding opportunities and financial awards available to UK, US, Canadian and international artists in 2026 - so get your applications ready and kick off 2026 with a bang!

At Identity Music, we champion independent artists whenever and wherever we can - so keep reading to boost your career!

Funding & Grants for UK artists

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MOBO Help Musicians Amplified - applications open from 2nd June 2026 - info here

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Launchpad Connect (Yorkshire) - application dates TBC - info here

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Future Bubblers - application dates TBC (2025 deadline was end of May) - info here

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The Open Fund for Music Creators - applications open from 25th February & 17th August 2026 - info here

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ABO Trust Sirens Fund - applications open until the end of February 2026 - info here

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PPL Momentum Music Fund - applications open 5th January, 13th April, 13th July, & 28th September 2026 - info here

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Women Make Music - application dates TBC - info here

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Composers’ Fund - applications open 10th March & 14th September 2026 - info here

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The Hitmaker Fund - applications open 10th February & 1st September 2026 - info here

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International Showcase Fund - applications open until 31st March 2026 - info here

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POWER UP - applications open 26th January 2026 - info here

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Early Career Promoter Fund - application dates TBC - info here

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iluvlive Artist Development Programme - application dates TBC - info here

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She Said So x True Music Fund - application dates TBC - info here

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MOBO UnSung - application dates TBC - info here

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UD Incubator - application dates TBC - info here

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Developing Your Creative Practice (Arts Council England) - applications open in April 2026 - info here

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The Sound of Young Scotland Award - application dates TBC (2025 deadline was 22nd August) - info here

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NextGen Fund - applications open until 6th February 2026 - info here

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Catalyser Fund - applications open from 20th February to 20th March 2026 - info here

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Trailblazer Fund - applications open from 13th March to 10th April 2026, 31st July to 28th August 2026, & from 23rd October to 20th November 2026 - info here

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International Showcase Fund - applications open throughout 2026 - info here

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Electronic Music Award (Help Musicians x DJ Mag) - application dates TBC (2025 deadline was 29th August) - info here

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Anthem FFWD>> (Wales) - application dates TBC (2025 deadline was 21st March) - info here

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Funding & Grants for artists in the USA & Canada

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BMI Future Jazz Master Award - application dates TBC - info here

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peermusic Latin Music Award - application dates TBC - info here

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Reel Change Film Fund - applications open throughout 2026 - info here

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FACTOR Songwriter Development - applications open throughout 2026 - info here

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FACTOR Live Performance - applications open throughout 2026 - info here

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Funding & Grants for international artists

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Playing Australia Project Investment - applications open until 3rd March 2026 - info here

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Storytelling & Recording: First Nations Project Fund (Australia) - applications open until 3rd February 2026 - info here

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Contemporary Music Touring Program (Australia) - applications open until 3rd March 2026 - info here

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Awesome Black Voices Rising Fund - applications open throughout 2026 - info here

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Goethe Institut Mobility Grants (Sub-Saharan, Southern & West Africa) - applications open throughout 2026 - info here

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Tote Board Arts Fund (Singapore) - applications open throughout 2026 - info here

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New Music Project Funding (New Zealand) - applications open throughout 2026 - info here

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