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Apply now for Music Project Award Grant 2027 (Ireland)

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$10,000 Adolf Busch Award: Annual Grant for U.S. Organizations

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Deadline: 23-Jul-2026

The Music Project Award Grant supports artistic music projects that enable professional artists, musicians, groups, and organisations to develop and deliver high-quality work for audiences. The award supports live performances, broadcast or online dissemination, and selected audio recording projects.

Funding is available across three strands: up to €40,000 under Strand 1, and up to €10,000 each under Strand 2 and Strand 3. Applicants may apply to only one strand in this funding round.

What is the Music Project Award Grant?

The Music Project Award Grant is a funding opportunity that supports high-quality artistic music projects.

The award helps professional musicians, artists, groups, and organisations create, present, record, or disseminate music projects that reach audiences through live, digital, broadcast, or recorded formats.

It supports innovative and ambitious projects across a wide range of music genres and practices.

Main Purpose of the Award

The main purpose of the award is to support professional music projects that bring high-quality artistic work to audiences.

The award aims to:

Funding Strands

The award includes three funding strands.

Applicants may apply to only one strand in this funding round.

The chosen strand must be clearly specified in the application form.

Strand 1: Live-Attendance Music Projects

Strand 1 supports projects devised for live-attendance performances.

Funding is available up to €40,000.

Projects under this strand may also extend their reach through:

This strand is suitable for projects where live public performance is central to the project.

Strand 2: Broadcast, Online or Non-Live Dissemination Projects

Strand 2 supports projects created exclusively for public dissemination without a live audience.

Funding is available up to €10,000.

Projects may be shared through:

This strand is suitable for music projects designed specifically for public access through recorded, streamed, or digital formats.

Strand 3: Audio Recording Projects

Strand 3 supports audio recording projects developed in association with record companies.

Funding is available up to €10,000.

Projects may be disseminated through:

This strand prioritises recording projects of high artistic quality, especially where there is limited potential for self-financing commercial revenue.

Funding Amount

Funding is available as follows:

Applicants should choose the strand that best matches the project format, audience approach, and delivery plan.

Who is Eligible?

The award is open to:

Individuals and groups must consist of professional artists working in music.

Individual and group applicants must be resident or based in the Republic of Ireland.

Groups of individuals must submit their application through a lead applicant.

Professional Track Record Requirement

Applicants must demonstrate a professional track record in music.

Eligible applicants should be able to show that they are professional artists, musicians, or organisations with relevant experience in artistic music practice.

Applications are not accepted from:

What Types of Projects Are Supported?

The award supports artistic music projects that are innovative, ambitious, and designed for audience engagement.

Supported projects may include:

Supported Music Genres and Practices

The award supports a wide range of music practices.

Eligible genres and practices may include:

Strategic Priorities

The award prioritises projects that demonstrate strong artistic quality and audience impact.

Strategic priorities include:

Key Concepts Explained

Live-Attendance Project

A live-attendance project is a music project designed for audiences to attend in person.

Public Dissemination

Public dissemination means sharing music with audiences through public channels such as broadcast, online platforms, recordings, or digital media.

Audio Recording Project

An audio recording project involves producing recorded music for distribution through digital platforms or physical formats.

Professional Track Record

A professional track record is evidence of previous artistic work, experience, recognition, or activity within professional music contexts.

New Work

New work refers to original music, creative development, or newly created artistic material presented or disseminated through the project.

Ineligible Applicants

Applications are not accepted from certain individuals and organisations.

Ineligible applicants include:

Organisations receiving Strategic Funding, Arts Centre Partnership Funding, or Partnership Funding may participate as project partners, but they cannot apply directly.

How the Award Works

Applicants must apply under one of the three strands.

Each application should clearly explain:

How to Apply

Applicants should prepare a focused proposal that demonstrates artistic quality, professional experience, and a clear audience plan.

Suggested Application Steps

  1. Confirm that the applicant is eligible.
  2. Confirm that the applicant is based or resident in the Republic of Ireland where required.
  3. Choose only one funding strand.
  4. Specify the selected strand in the application form.
  5. Define the music project and its artistic objectives.
  6. Explain how the project will reach audiences.
  7. Identify musicians, artists, partners, or record company involvement where relevant.
  8. Prepare a realistic budget within the relevant strand limit.
  9. Provide evidence of professional track record.
  10. Check that the applicant is not excluded under any ineligible funding category.
  11. Submit the application according to the official award requirements.

Assessment Considerations

Applications should demonstrate artistic quality, feasibility, and strong audience value.

Assessment may consider:

Expected Results

Funded projects should support high-quality music creation, presentation, recording, or dissemination.

Expected results may include:

Why It Matters

Music projects need time, resources, professional collaboration, and effective audience pathways to reach their full artistic potential.

The Music Project Award Grant helps artists and organisations develop and deliver ambitious work across live, digital, broadcast, and recorded formats.

By supporting different strands, the award recognises that audiences engage with music in many ways and that high-quality music practice can reach the public through both live and non-live channels.

Tips for Strong Applications

A strong application should clearly match the project to the correct strand and explain how the work will reach audiences.

Applicants should focus on:

Applicants should avoid applying to the wrong strand or submitting a project that does not clearly explain how audiences will experience the work.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should carefully check strand rules and eligibility requirements.

Common mistakes include:

FAQ

What is the Music Project Award Grant?

It is a grant that supports artistic music projects that enable artists and organisations to develop and deliver high-quality work for audiences.

How many strands are available?

There are three strands: live-attendance projects, non-live public dissemination projects, and audio recording projects.

How much funding is available under Strand 1?

Strand 1 offers funding of up to €40,000.

How much funding is available under Strand 2 and Strand 3?

Strand 2 and Strand 3 each offer funding of up to €10,000.

Can applicants apply to more than one strand?

No. Applicants may apply to only one of the three funding strands in this funding round.

Who can apply?

Individuals, groups of individuals, and organisations may apply. Individuals and groups must be professional artists working in music and resident or based in the Republic of Ireland.

Who is not eligible to apply?

Ineligible applicants include organisations currently receiving Strategic Funding, Arts Centre Partnership Funding, or Partnership Funding, individuals or organisations receiving Arts Grant Funding 2027, organisations without a professional track record, and individuals without a demonstrable professional artist track record.

Conclusion

The Music Project Award Grant supports professional artists, musicians, groups, and organisations in developing and delivering high-quality artistic music projects for audiences. With three strands covering live-attendance performances, non-live public dissemination, and audio recording projects, the award supports diverse routes for music creation and audience engagement.

Strong applications will demonstrate artistic quality, professional track record, correct strand selection, clear audience reach, realistic planning, and a strong contribution to music practice in Ireland.

For more information, visit The Arts Council.

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