Youth Music

NEXTGEN FUND OVERVIEW

What is the NextGen Fund for?

To support early-stage musicians and music-adjacent creatives.
To help young people invest in themselves, develop their skills, and bring their creative ideas to life.

Who is the NextGen Fund for?

18–25-year-olds or 18–30-year-olds (if someone identies as d/Deaf, Disabled, or Neurodivergent).
Those who have never received funding before.
Those who face significant barriers to further their careers and make their ideas happen.
Those who are in early career stages.

NextGen Fund Dates

NextGen Fund Round 12

Round opens: 29 August 2025
Deadline: September 2025
Notification: January 2026
For projects starting between: March – April 2025

All deadlines are 5pm.

APPLY TO THE NEXTGEN FUND

Download our application guidance for full details about the NextGen Fund and how to apply.  

You can also download a copy of our application form questions to draft your questions offline. All applications must be submitted online. When a round is open you will see an ‘APPLY HERE’ button at the top of this page.

Download Application Guidance (PDF)

Download Application Guidance (Word)

Download The Application Form (PDF)

Download The Application Form (Word)

a person wearing glasses and an all-black outfit stands on stage, speaking into a microphone, with a sunset cityscape behind them

USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) IN APPLICATIONS

We know that using AI can help with writing a funding application. Youth Music is not against applicants using AI to support them with this. However, if you do use AI to help you draft your application, please make sure it’s an honest reflection of your work and plans.

We often find AI answers are quite generic, with multiple applicants responding the same way. This can have a negative impact on your assessment so make sure the application reflects who you are.

Access Support

Youth Music is committed to offering a clear and accessible grant making process that is open to everyone.

If you identify as d/Deaf, Disabled, or neurodivergent we can provide extra funding to help you make your application and to run your project. Youth Music offers additional funding through:

Application access fund: Support to make an application to NextGen Fund through the application access fund. Up to £350.
Personal access costs: You can apply for access costs on top of your grant to support you to manage and deliver your project.

Click here for further information or get in touch with creatives@youthmusic.org.uk to speak to the Youth music team about access support.

Resources To Support Your Application

Young man on stage with guitar smiling and giving thumbs up sign

Access Support

Youth Music is committed to accessibility. Learn how our Access Support, Application Access Fund, and personal access costs help break down barriers to funding and participation.

Woman singing with her eyes closed on stage, crowd blurred in the foreground

Top tips for applying for the Youth Music NextGen Fund

Thinking about applying for the Youth Music NextGen Fund? This blog will help you work out whether to apply and how to increase your chance of success.

NextGen Fund FAQs

Have questions about the NextGen Fund? Explore our FAQs to find out how to bring your creative vision to life.

Youth Music branded lightbox sat on an amp

NextGen Fund Guidance

Find out how to apply for the NextGen Fund, supporting young creatives to launch music projects and kickstart their careers.

Join Our NextGen Community

Find your community in music – join our NextGen Community for the latest opportunities, funding, industry insights, and exclusive events. Whether you're an artist, creative, or just starting out, get the support you need to take your next step.