Youth Music announces £2,500 grants for 18-25-year-olds as part of its NextGen Fund

Youth Music has announced the latest round of funding as part of its NextGen Fund, an initiative supported by Dr Martens, TikTok, to help emerging artists and professionals develop skills required to get involved in the fast-paced music industry.

The fund is for, but not limited to, early-stage musicians and wider music creatives aged 18-25 — focusing on those looking for their start in careers such as production or A&R, with room to pursue roles that may not have been defined within the industry just yet.

With grants going up to £2,500, successful applicants would be able to launch a project, idea, or business. It is especially aimed at those who lack the financial freedom to pursue their goals.

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The NextGen Fund was launched in 2021 by Youth Music to help equalise access to the music industries. With 172 early-stage musicians and music industry creatives having benefited from the fund, Youth Music would like to hear especially from people who have never applied for funding before.

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75% of recipients so far are based outside of London, with more applications encouraged from the Northeast of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Youth Music is the UK's leading young people’s music charity funded by the National Lottery via Arts Council England, players of People’s Postcode Lottery and support from subsequent partners and donors. To date, the Youth Music NextGen Fund has invested £400,000 in young creatives.

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Round six of the fund will be open for application from April 21 until May 19. Information about applying including guidelines and advice can be found on the Youth Music website - https://youthmusic.org.uk/nextgen/nextgen-fund.

Vee Pandey is Mixmag's Digital Trainee, follow her on Twitter