Youth Music Trailblazer Fund for Young People (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 10-Apr-2026

The Youth Music Trailblazer Fund supports UK-based organisations to create, test, or sustain music projects for children and young people aged 25 or under. Grants range from £2,000 to £30,000, with projects lasting 6 to 24 months, and the fund prioritises innovation, inclusion, safeguarding, and long-term impact.

About the Fund

The Youth Music Trailblazer Fund helps organisations deliver music projects that benefit children and young people aged 25 or under in England.

The fund supports projects that:

• Trial new ways of working

• Sustain grassroots music programmes

• Challenge existing practices

• Improve access to inclusive music-making opportunities

Funding Available

• Grant size: £2,000 to £30,000

• Project duration: 6 to 24 months

Special rule for newer organisations

• Organisations established less than 1 year before the deadline can apply for up to £15,000

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must be:

• Legally constituted organisations

• Based in the UK

• Have a bank account in the organisation’s name

• Have recent accounts showing:

  • Income and expenditure

  • Assets and liabilities

Ineligible applicants

• Schools or academies

• Sole traders

• Individuals

Priority Themes

Projects should align with one or more of the fund’s focus areas.

Key themes include:

• Early years

• Disabled young people

• d/Deaf young people

• Neurodivergent young people

• Young people in the youth justice system

• Young people facing barriers

• Young adults

• Organisations and the workforce

Safeguarding Requirements

Safeguarding is a core eligibility requirement.

Applicants must have:

• A safeguarding policy updated within the last 3 years

• A designated safeguarding lead

• Safer recruitment practices

• DBS checks where required

• Clear procedures for reporting concerns or incidents

• Regular safeguarding training for staff and volunteers

Insurance and Compliance Requirements

Organisations must also have:

• Employers’ liability insurance

• Public liability insurance

They must comply with:

• All relevant statutory legislation

• Appropriate legal and operational standards for working with children and young people

What Types of Projects Are Supported?

The fund is flexible and supports a wide range of music projects.

Example project types

• A new CIC helping nurseries include music in everyday learning

• A grassroots organisation sustaining a successful youth music programme

• A Music Education Hub supporting youth-led decision-making

• A youth centre piloting music activities for the first time

Why This Fund Matters

This fund is valuable because it supports:

• Grassroots music access

• Innovation in youth music practice

• Inclusion for underrepresented young people

• Sustainable programme development

• Youth-led and community-led approaches

• Better support for children and young people facing barriers

How to Apply

Simple steps

1. Check organisational eligibility
   Confirm you are a legally constituted UK-based organisation with the required accounts and bank account.

2. Choose a strong project idea
   Your project should:

   • Test something new

   • Sustain an existing programme

   • Challenge outdated practice

3. Align with priority themes
   Make sure your work clearly supports one or more target groups.

4. Review safeguarding readiness
   Confirm all safeguarding systems are in place before applying.

5. Prepare a realistic budget
   Request between £2,000 and £30,000 (or up to £15,000 if your organisation is under 1 year old).

6. Show impact and sustainability
   Explain how the project will benefit young people and what learning or long-term value it creates.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly explain who the young people are

• Show why your project is needed now

• Demonstrate inclusion and accessibility

• Make safeguarding details specific, not generic

• Show how the project will test, sustain, or improve practice

• Include realistic outcomes for the 6–24 month timeframe

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying as a school, academy, sole trader, or individual

• Weak or outdated safeguarding policy

• No clear link to music-making outcomes

• Overly broad ideas without a clear target group

• Asking for too much if your organisation is under 1 year old

• Failing to explain how the project is innovative or sustainable

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Youth Music Trailblazer Fund?

It is a grant programme that supports organisations delivering music projects for children and young people aged 25 or under in England.

2. How much funding is available?

Grants range from £2,000 to £30,000.

3. How long can projects run?

Projects can last between 6 and 24 months.

4. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants are legally constituted UK-based organisations with a bank account in the organisation’s name and recent financial accounts.

5. Can schools apply?

No. Schools and academies are not eligible.

6. Can individuals or sole traders apply?

No. Individuals and sole traders cannot apply.

7. What happens if my organisation is less than one year old?

You can still apply, but you may request a maximum of £15,000.

Conclusion

The Youth Music Trailblazer Fund is a strong opportunity for UK-based organisations working in youth music, inclusion, and grassroots creative practice.

With grants of up to £30,000, it is especially useful for organisations that want to pilot new ideas, sustain effective programmes, or improve access to music for children and young people facing barriers.

For more information, visit Youth Music.