With up to £3,000 in funding up for grabs, the stakes are high, and we know that making an application can be scary, especially if you’ve never applied for funding before. 

To help you, we’ve put together a list of ten top tips for writing your NextGen Fund application.

#1: Read the guidance

Read the guidance and read the guidance again! Make sure your project is something we would like to support and that you meet the eligibility criteria. If in doubt, you can always get in touch to ask us questions.  

Read the guidance

#2: Be clear

We don’t know anything about you or your project, so it’s crucial you explain it to us with as much detail allowed. Use the word count efficiently by using simple sentences and bullet points to get the message across quickly and efficiently. You can always supplement your application by uploading a one-page timeline or a project plan.  

Get someone that knows nothing about your project to read your application before you submit it. Can they sum up your project in a few sentences? Do they get it? If the answer is no, then odds are we won’t either.   

We receive over 200 applications per round, so having a clear, consistent, and compelling story to tell will really help you stand out. Use all the sections of the applications to reinforce the narrative and show us who you are as a creative/professional. 

#3: Be realistic

We love ambition and creativity but make sure your project is actually doable. Think about how realistic you’re being. You have a maximum of 12 months and up to £3,000 to deliver! While you might have big plans and want to be doing loads, it’s best to focus on one thing and do it well - rather than spreading yourself too thin.  

#4: Give yourself time

Give yourself time to write your application. Put the deadline in your diary and if you can, start working on it well ahead of time to avoid any problems on submission day.   

Equally, give yourself time while planning your project – things always take longer than planned, so make sure you’ve given yourself enough breathing room to cope with anything unexpected.  

#5: Answer all the questions

This might seem like an obvious one, but we have received many great applications with missing information. Don’t let a high effort proposal go to waste by missing out on a question or forgetting to include crucial links (see tip #9)! Download the application template to read and draft answers prior to filling in the form online. 

#6: Be honest

Tell your story but be honest! Before you apply, take a minute to really think about your goals in the long term. What do you want to achieve? How will this project help you do that? Why is now the right time? And why is Youth Music the right funder for you? 

We want to make sure our funding has as much impact as possible, so it’s important you tell us how this will help you develop and progress your career. You might want to expand your creative practice, learn a new skill, build your audience, or develop your network. Whatever it is, just take a minute to reflect and communicate that to us. 

#7: Do the math – and do it right

We’re not expecting anyone to be Excel wizards, but having a budget with a good level of detail shows us that: 

1) You have really thought about your project  

2) You can be trusted to project manage  

3) Your project is likely to be successful and meaningful 

#8: Stay online

In the application, we ask you to share a link to your socials and a ‘one-click link’ to your most recent/proud of work. Keep them online! Make sure that the links you share will stay up for at least five months from the time of the application.  

Looking at the links are a key part of our assessment, and we won’t be able to do our job if you take links down or set things to private. Links can be unlisted, but they need to be available. 

#9: It’s not you, it’s us

We would love to support everyone’s project. But unfortunately, we are only able to support 18% of applications. If you’re not successful, you can re-apply as many times as you want, but make sure you consider any advice you receive about improving your application.  

Bonus tip! Access Support

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: 

1. Application Access Fund to support with making your application: We can help with extra access costs you might need to apply for one of our funds. Click the link to find out more.  

2. Personal Access Budget: In your application, you can also include your personal access costs on top of the £3,000 maximum. So you won’t have to be out of pocket to get the support you need to do your project. This might include costs for British Sign Language interpreters, personal assistants, support workers or other access costs.