The UK Government’s £45 million Music Growth Package was announced on 13 July 2026 and includes new and expanded funding for artists, music creators, businesses and organisations.
Scotland-based applicants can access a number of these opportunities, but the activity that can be supported differs from that available to applicants in England.
To help Scotland’s music industry understand and make full use of the available funding, the SMIA sought clarification directly from Arts Council England. Based on its response and the published guidance, we have brought together the key information applicants need to consider.
Why does eligibility differ for Scotland-based applicants?
Culture and most forms of domestic music-sector development are devolved. This means that responsibility for supporting activity focused within Scotland primarily sits with the Scottish Government and its public bodies.
Arts Council England is the national development agency for creativity and culture in England. It is administering the Music Growth Package on behalf of the UK Government, which was originally announced in 2025 as a £30 million fund. A further £15 million is being provided by Arts Council England, bringing the total investment to £45 million.
The additional £15 million of National Lottery funding contributed by Arts Council England must be awarded to organisations based in England.
International activity is treated differently because international trade and related responsibilities sit at UK level. This means that Scotland-based artists, businesses and organisations can access support for eligible activity outside the UK, alongside certain domestic activity that benefits artists, audiences or music businesses in England.
These arrangements explain why some Scotland-focused activity falls outside the package. Arts Council England has engaged constructively with the SMIA and has offered to work with us on further guidance for members.
However, the position also raises a wider question about how Scotland-focused music activity will be supported through the devolved funding landscape. The SMIA has written to Màiri McAllan MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic, outlining the limitations of the package for Scotland-based applicants and the need for wider support to ensure Scotland’s artists, music businesses and industry professionals have parity of opportunity.
We will continue working with Arts Council England, Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government to clarify the available opportunities, support applicants and advocate for any gaps in provision to be addressed.
At a glance
- Experienced artists and music creators: The Music Creators Growth Fund will offer grants of £10,000–£20,000. It is open to artists, artist collectives, bands, composers, DJs, groups, producers and songwriters working across all genres who can demonstrate a strong track record developed over at least three years. Scotland-based creators can apply for eligible international activity outside the UK.
- Music businesses and organisations: The Music Growth Fund offers grants of £1,000–£100,000. Scotland-based applicants can apply for eligible international activity and certain domestic activity benefiting artists, audiences or music businesses in England.
- Independent music companies developing international markets: The Music Export Growth Scheme offers grants of £5,000–£50,000.
- Creators invited to international industry showcases, conferences or songwriting camps: The International Showcase Fund offers grants of up to £5,500.
Eligibility varies according to the applicant and proposed activity. Always read the guidance for applicants in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland alongside the guidance for your applicant type.
What can Scotland-based applicants apply for?
Domestic activity benefiting England
Scotland-based music businesses and organisations can apply to the Music Growth Fund for activity benefiting artists, audiences or music businesses in England.
Eligible activity could include:
- Touring Scotland-based artists into England
- Presenting English artists in Scotland
- Providing support or services that benefit artists, audiences or music businesses in England
- Working in partnership with an England-based organisation on activity delivering eligible benefits across the UK
Any application will need to explain clearly who will benefit and how the proposed activity meets the relevant criteria.
International activity
Scotland-based music businesses, organisations and artists can apply for eligible activity taking place internationally, outside the UK.
Depending on the fund and applicant type, this could include:
- International touring and showcasing
- International audience and market development
- Export campaigns
- International business development
- Overseas collaboration, networking and partnership development
Not every Music Growth Fund applicant type is eligible for every form of international activity. Check the guidance for your specific applicant type before developing an application.
Scotland-focused domestic activity
Because responsibility for domestic cultural activity in Scotland is devolved, the Music Growth Package has limited scope to support activity focused solely on:
- Touring within Scotland
- Showcasing within Scotland
- Scotland’s grassroots music infrastructure
- Domestic artist development within Scotland
- Domestic development of Scotland-based music businesses
Such activity may be eligible only where it also delivers a clear and eligible benefit to artists, audiences or music businesses in England.
Applicants seeking support for activity focused exclusively within Scotland should consider the funding available through Creative Scotland and other Scottish funding bodies.
1. Music Growth Fund
The Music Growth Fund supports the growth of music businesses, organisations and the wider music industry.
It focuses on “new music”, defined by Arts Council England as original music recently or newly created or performed by living, UK-based artists and music creators.
Who can apply?
The fund is open to eligible:
- Music festivals
- Music managers and management companies
- Music promoters
- Music publishers
- Record labels
- Recording studios
- Rehearsal spaces
- Grassroots music venues
- Music sector bodies
- Music sector support organisations
Applicants can include companies, sole traders, charities, Community Interest Companies, not-for-profit organisations and eligible consortia. Individual artists and creators should look instead at the Music Creators Growth Fund.
What can it support?
Depending on the applicant type and location, funding can support activity including:
- Organisational and business development
- Skills and workforce development
- Music programming
- Artist and creator development
- Infrastructure, equipment and organisational capacity
- Touring, showcasing and collaboration
- Audience development
- Research, development and testing new approaches
- International market and business development
Applications will be assessed against:
- Potential for growth
- Effective use of funds
- Contribution to a fairer and more inclusive music industry
- Contribution to a climate-resilient music industry
Funding available
| Funding request | Minimum cash contribution from other sources | Maximum project length |
|---|---|---|
| £1,000–£40,000 | 25% of the total project budget | Three years |
| £40,001–£100,000 | 50% of the total project budget | Three years |
The match funding must be provided in cash. Check the Music Growth Package FAQs for guidance on what can count towards this requirement.
Current application rounds
£1,000–£40,000 strand:
| Round | Applications open | Deadline | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| One | 6 August 2026 | 3 September 2026 | 28 October 2026 |
| Two | 4 September 2026 | 15 October 2026 | 8 December 2026 |
| Three | 16 October 2026 | 26 November 2026 | 3 February 2027 |
| Four | 27 November 2026 | 7 January 2027 | 9 March 2027 |
£40,001–£100,000 strand:
| Round | Applications open | Deadline | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| One | 7 September 2026 | 1 October 2026 | 30 November 2026 |
| Two | 23 November 2026 | 15 January 2027 | 8 March 2027 |
The Music Growth Fund will operate until March 2029. Arts Council England intends to run ten rounds of the £1,000–£40,000 strand and four rounds of the £40,001–£100,000 strand in each full year of delivery. Dates for the next financial year are expected to be published during the final quarter of 2026/27.
Read the guidance for your applicant type
In addition to the general and Scotland-specific guidance, applicants must read the relevant applicant-specific guidance:
- Music festivals
- Music managers
- Music promoters
- Music publishers
- Record labels
- Recording studios
- Rehearsal spaces
- Grassroots music venues
- Music sector bodies
- Music sector support organisations
2. Music Creators Growth Fund
The Music Creators Growth Fund will provide grants of £10,000–£20,000 directly to experienced music creators working across all genres, including:
- Artists
- Artist collectives
- Bands
- Composers
- DJs
- Groups
- Producers
- Songwriters
Applicants must be able to demonstrate a strong track record developed over at least three years.
The fund is intended to help experienced music creators develop their work, pursue new opportunities and build sustainable careers.
What can Scotland-based creators apply for?
For applicants based in Scotland, the proposed activity must take place internationally, outside the UK. This could include eligible activity supporting international development or access to overseas markets.
Scotland-focused domestic activity, including touring or other activity taking place solely within Scotland or elsewhere in the UK, will not be eligible through this fund. Support for domestic activity in Scotland sits within the devolved funding landscape.
Applicants based in England can apply for both eligible international activity and touring or other work within the UK.
When does it open?
The first application round opens through Arts Council England’s grants system on 1 October 2026.
Arts Council England has confirmed that a second round will open later in the year, although its dates have not yet been published. It has previously indicated that it anticipates delivering approximately six rounds of the Music Creators Growth Fund in each full year.
Accessible versions of the guidance and an offline version of the application form will be made available before the grants system opens. Potential applicants may find the offline form useful for planning and preparing their application.
Applicants should check the Music Creators Growth Fund page for the closing date, decision timetable and any updates before applying.
3. Music Export Growth Scheme
The Music Export Growth Scheme, delivered by the BPI, supports UK-registered independent music companies to develop successful UK music projects in international markets.
Applicants can request between £5,000 and £50,000 towards eligible international marketing and promotional activity. Applicants are normally required to provide 50% of the project cost from their own or another eligible source.
Applications for Round 26 are open until 7 September 2026.
This fund may be particularly relevant to Scotland-based record labels, artist-management businesses and other independent companies with a clear international campaign and evidence of potential overseas growth.
4. International Showcase Fund
The International Showcase Fund, managed by PRS Foundation, offers grants of up to £5,500 to UK-based artists, bands, songwriters and producers.
Applicants must have received a formal invitation to participate in an eligible international:
- Industry-facing showcasing festival
- Music conference with a showcasing element
- Songwriting camp
- Professional development or collaboration opportunity
The fund operates through rolling deadlines. PRS Foundation recommends applying 10–12 weeks before the event and must normally receive applications at least eight weeks before it takes place.
Read the International Showcase Fund guidance and FAQs before applying.
Other parts of the package
The dedicated Sector Bodies Programme was a single-round programme and is now closed. Eligible sector bodies can, however, apply to future rounds of the Music Growth Fund.
The Early Career Promoter Fund is funded for activity in England and is therefore available only to England-based promoters.
Before starting an application
1. Check all the relevant guidance
Music Growth Fund applicants should read:
- The general Music Growth Fund guidance
- The guidance for applicants in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- The guidance for their specific applicant type
Music Creators Growth Fund applicants should read:
- The Music Creators Growth Fund guidance
- The guidance for applicants in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
2. Create your Arts Council England applicant profile
Music Growth Fund and Music Creators Growth Fund applications are made through Arts Council England’s grants management system.
You must have an approved applicant profile before you can begin and submit an application. Approval can take up to ten working days, so complete this process well ahead of your intended deadline.
Visit the Arts Council England grants system support page to access the system and supporting guidance.
3. Begin preparing before the creators’ fund opens
If you intend to apply to the Music Creators Growth Fund, look out for the offline application form and accessible guidance ahead of 1 October. The offline form can be used to begin planning, but applications must be submitted through Arts Council England’s grants system once the portal opens.
4. Check your project dates
Your Music Growth Fund activity must not begin before the decision date for the round to which you apply. The fund cannot cover retrospective costs incurred before a funding decision is made.
Music Creators Growth Fund applicants should check the equivalent project-date requirements in the newly published guidance.
5. Confirm your cash match
Music Growth Fund applicants must be able to demonstrate the required cash contribution from sources other than Arts Council England:
- At least 25% of the total project budget for requests up to £40,000
- At least 50% of the total project budget for requests between £40,001 and £100,000
Check the specific guidance before assuming these requirements apply to any other Music Growth Package fund.
6. Choose your Music Growth Fund round carefully
Arts Council England advises that:
- Applicants receiving one successful Music Growth Fund award cannot reapply to either strand for 12 months.
- Applicants making three unsuccessful applications cannot reapply to either strand for 12 months.
- Multiple applications from the same applicant within one round are highly unlikely to receive support.
If your proposal is not ready for the nearest deadline, consider applying to a later round.
7. Ask if you are uncertain
If you are unsure whether your activity is eligible – particularly where it combines activity in Scotland, England and international markets – contact Arts Council England before investing significant time in an application.
Email: MusicGrowthPackage@artscouncil.org.uk
Key links
- Music Growth Package overview
- Guidance for applicants in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- Music Growth Fund general guidance and deadlines
- Music Creators Growth Fund
- Music Growth Package FAQs
- Arts Council England grants system support
- Music Export Growth Scheme
- International Showcase Fund
This information reflects the guidance available at the time of publication. Arts Council England’s formal guidance takes precedence, and applicants should check the relevant pages for updates before applying.