Opportunities
Learn about various opportunities currently available that can support or be of value to local individuals and organisations in the LCR music sector including; funding opportunities, job vacancies and auditions, training and development prospects, and sector specific events.
If you have relevant opportunities to share with the sector you can list them on this page by completing the form below.
EFDSS Alan James Creative Bursary & Residency Programme 2026
The English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) is offering two residency bursaries of up to £2,000 and two research bursaries of £500 to professional artists exploring new creative ideas rooted in English folk music. Support includes access to the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library and up to five days of rehearsal space at Cecil Sharp House, London. Cross-genre and cross-art form collaborations are particularly welcome. Additional funding is available for Disabled artists.
MusicFutures Music Entrepreneur Funding Call
MusicFutures is launching the Music Entrepreneur Fund to support and elevate bold, future-facing ideas for new products, services, processes and experiences in the music sector.
This fund is designed to help music innovators, sole traders, freelancers & micro-businesses (<5 employees) in the Liverpool City Region (LCR), especially those historically excluded on the grounds of gender, race and socio-economic status.
Successful applicants can receive:
– Up to £5,000 in direct financial support, and additional business support.
The fund will help you develop, prototype, test, or launch an idea for scalable products, services, processes or experiences.
ABRSM Writing for Music Education – Composer Mentoring Programme 2026/27
A six-month mentoring programme for emerging and early career composers based in the UK, exploring composing for music education. Six places are available (September 2026 – February 2027), with at least three reserved for composers from underrepresented backgrounds. The programme offers behind-the-scenes access to ABRSM, skills development in writing to a brief, and opportunities to work alongside partner organisations.
Deadline: Friday 5 June 2026
MusicFutures Music Innovation Funding Call
MusicFutures is launching the first round of its Music Innovation Fund to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) developing the next generation of inclusive and sustainable music technologies, experiences, tools, and business models.
We are looking to support ambitious, forward-thinking projects across the Liverpool City Region (LCR) that have the potential to transform the music sector. Your project can be at any stage.
Successful applicants can receive up to £20,000 in funding, plus additional tailored support, to accelerate R&D, prototype development, testing, and deployment of innovative solutions.
Projects must be fully defined and ready to start by October 2026.
Free live events training programme | Sound Check
Do you love live music? Do you want to make it your career?
Sound Check is an exciting training programme from Future Yard, designed to introduce people to the skills that will help them pursue a successful and sustainable career behind the scenes in the live music industry.
Sound Check is open to anyone aged 19+ in the Liverpool City Region with a passion for live music and an interest in making it their career. The course is free to access and no previous experience is required.
Studios For All Fund
The Studios for All Fund provides free studio access for charities, CICs and not-for-profits that use music to empower young people under 30 from underrepresented or disadvantaged communities.
Through Pirate’s nationwide network of 600+ rehearsal, recording, DJ, podcast and dance studios, organisations can apply for in-kind support worth between £100 and £2,000+. The programme is designed to remove barriers such as cost, lack of facilities and limited technical expertise, giving more young people access to professional creative spaces, skills and community connections.
Fast Track Award
Support of up to £500 to help you seize an opportunity
The Award is an investment to help you grow or sustain your income from music, or to help you take part in something that could enhance your career.
This financial support can go towards anything from courses, networking opportunities and equipment to costs associated with recording, releasing and performing. See a full list of what you can and can’t spend the grant on here.
Next application window: Monday 13 Oct — Friday 31 Oct 2025, 5pm
Open Fund For Music Creators
The Open Fund for Music Creators supports the development of outstanding music creators of all genres and backgrounds at different stages of their career with grants of up to £5000. Previous recipients include Young Fathers, Afrodeutsche, Jasdeep Singh and Ruth Lyon
In order to be eligible Music Creators’ projects must fulfil all three of our funding priorities:
- To support the creation, performance and promotion of outstanding new music in any genre
- To enable the UK’s most talented music creators to realise their potential
- To reach audiences
This fund has several funding rounds / deadlines annually, check the link for more info
MusicFutures IP Clinic and Lab
The MusicFutures IP Clinic and Lab supports music makers and music-related businesses by providing accessible, expert guidance in intellectual property and commercial contracts.
By lowering barriers to legal and strategic IP advice, the clinic supports more equitable participation in music innovation and creativity, particularly for independent artists and small enterprises. It helps creators and businesses understand and protect their rights, enabling them to commercialise their work confidently while reducing the risk of infringement or loss of ownership.
Rooted in the Liverpool City Region’s strong cultural identity and music economy, the clinic strengthens connections between academia, industry and local talent, improving IP literacy and helping drive inclusive economic growth.
These sessions will be ongoing. Click on the link to register your interest.
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