Develop Your Skills

Who Are We?

Help Musicians is a charity that loves music and for 100 years has been working hard to make a meaningful difference to the lives of musicians across the UK. We want to create a world where musicians thrive. We’re Here to Support You

If you’ve any questions about the support we can offer, want to talk through your plans, or are looking for advice about the application process, you can book some time to talk it through with one of the team here

Ineligible Activities

During these uncertain times, we’re unable to support opportunities that may be cancelled due to the pandemic. Therefore, we ask that all activities are able to take place under the current restrictions.

Here are the activities considered ineligible:

• Activities that take place within 3-months of a submitted application
• Activities that are not primarily focused on developing a career as a musician
• Activities incurred as part of a promotional campaign (this includes PR, production of merchandise, creating music videos, manufacture and distribution etc)
• Formal courses of study, training or research (this includes undergraduate study, postgraduate study, year-long courses, PhD study)
• Support for the continuation of regular one-to-one lessons

To apply you must:

• Be aged over 18

• Be in financial need and without significant backing

• Already have an active career and be able to clearly demonstrate your work to date

• Be a UK resident*

• We refer to the UK residency rules noting that you are eligible for our support:

• If you are a UK National living in the UK you automatically qualify

• If you are a non-UK National, you have been living in the UK for at least 183 days and have the legal right to live in the UK

• Purchase of musical equipment, production and composition software/hardware, performance related technology

• Purchase or hiring costs of vehicles

• Recording costs (studio hire, engineering, mixing, mastering)

• Commissioning costs

• Touring costs

• Attendance as a performer at showcases already supported by the International Showcase Fund or similar funding opportunities in the nations (SXSW, CMJ, A3C, Womex, Reeperbahn, Folk Alliance International, Canadian Music Week)

• Costs associated with entering competitions

Although we won’t exclude applications that are asking us to contribute to a wider project, this support shouldn’t be seen as a top up fund for larger funding bids

Please note you can only receive support for skills building opportunities once in a 12- month period.

After Applying

Applicants will be shortlisted internally and may be presented to a panel of industry experts. The final decisions will be based on the strength of your music and what you’ve told us in your application. Applicants will be notified of the outcome within 8-10 weeks.

You will receive a confirmation email once you submit your application. If you haven’t received this then please get in touch with creative@helpmusicians.org.uk who can check for you.

Please also email the team if something has changed in your plans after having submitted your application.

If your application is not successful you are able to re-apply as soon as you are ready. We advise you to read the guidance notes and blogs and book a phone call with a member