Deadline: 29-Aug-2025
The Youth Music Trailblazer Fund offers grants to small organisations and grassroots programmes that support children and young people facing barriers to make, learn, or earn in music.
The focus areas of the fund are Early years, Disabled, d/Deaf and neurodivergent young people, Youth justice system, Young people facing barriers, Young adults, and Organisations and the workforce.
The Trailblazer Fund provides grants between £2,000 and £30,000 for projects lasting from 6 to 24 months. It supports organisations to trial new approaches, sustain successful grassroots programmes, or disrupt the status quo in music provision. The fund is specifically aimed at projects that make music activity more inclusive and accessible for children and young people across England.
Eligibility requires applicants to be legally constituted UK-based organisations with appropriate governance, safeguarding standards, and a commitment to improving inclusion, diversity, equity, and access. Individuals and schools are not eligible to apply. Organisations less than a year old can apply for grants up to £15,000.
Funding can cover delivery costs, core costs, and personal access costs, with a requirement for at least 10% match funding, of which 5% must be cash. Eligible costs include salaries, youth voice activities, training, evaluation, equipment, and venue hire. Personal access costs for staff or volunteers with disabilities or health conditions can also be included up to an additional 10%.
Applications are assessed by a panel of internal and external experts with lived experience. Factors considered include the number and diversity of children and young people reached, project type, location, organisational background, and risk levels. While demand is high and competition strong, Youth Music aims for a diverse and equitable portfolio of funded projects.
Applicants will be notified by email of the outcome, with successful organisations receiving a funding agreement, onboarding support, and ongoing guidance from Youth Music staff.
For more information, visit Youth Music.
