The Essentials Fund supports composers, music creators or artists working creatively with music and sound, to purchase essentials for their practice.  We support a minimum of 20 composers each year through several open calls each year. 

The Essentials Fund is a small grant of £300–£600 to support your composing practice. You can use it for self-learning projects, equipment, mentoring or other expenses directly related to your composing practice

We recommend applying for a specific amount relevant to your needs rather than automatically requesting the maximum. Most successful applications are typically between £400–500.

For example, you can use the Essential Fund to pay for:

• An online course
• Coaching or mentoring sessions
• Purchasing and learning new software or hardware
• Buying technical equipment integral to the creation of a specified new work
• Costs associated with recording your works
• Developing a self-directed composition project that would benefit from a period of rehearsal, workshopping or collaboration with a musician(s), ensemble or other artistic collaborator (e.g., visual artist, other performing artist)   
• Venue hire to bring together composers in your community to share learning or new works

Costs must relate to composing or music-making practice. We're looking for applicants with a clear idea of what they want to access and what difference it will make. There's no requirement to complete a new work or have a performance date secured.

The Essentials Fund is open to any composer, music creator or artist working creatively with music and sound.

Please note that if you have previously been awarded an Essentials Fund, you won't be eligible to apply again.