To be successful, applicants must demonstrate how your project or organisation will benefit Australian songwriters and composers. Our aim is to provide a funding contribution to projects that will help our members to:
Remember that we are looking to support Australian songwriters and compositions rather than recordings or recording artists, touring costs or creative development projects that primarily benefit individual members.
Preference will be given to:
You are not eligible to apply if you have failed to acquit or meet the requirements of a grant received in a previous round.
Applications will be reviewed and determined by the Board Awards and Music Grants Committee and approved by the APRA Board.
Read the full terms and conditions to learn more and get more tips for a successful application.
We fund all types of amazing projects. And, because we take a holistic approach to ensure we can support the greatest number of members and our community in general, music grants are not put towards funding individual songwriters or composers.
Applicants, you can seek funding from ONE of the following grant categories:
| What we fund through Music Grants | ||
|---|---|---|
CATEGORY | OBJECTIVE | EXAMPLES |
| Awards and Initiatives | To build confidence and creativity |
|
| Projects | To sustain and support the music industry so it can develop unique creative opportunities and business capacity for music creators. |
|
| Core Funding (APRA AMCOS Pre approval only – contact us to discuss) | To invest in key music organisations that support our members and their industry |
|
| Note that although the funding is intended to apply to projects or organisations seeking grants, consideration will be given to those projects for which underwriting finance is sought. | ||
Due to the impact of COVID-19 we reviewed our Cultural Fund and revised our music grants application process for 2020-21.
While it's important to note that the funding pool was reduced from previous rounds, our commitment to the organisations that create, curate, present, organise, guide and produce the initiatives and projects that support our members is stronger than ever.
For 2020-21, successful applicants received funding in the following categories:
Check out our Professional Development Awards, and the Josh Pyke Partnership if you’re looking for funding to support your personal development. It’s also worth investigating funding opportunities for individual and band projects through local, state and federal government programs.
As an organisation focused on the creation of music, we prefer to invest in projects that emphasise the songwriting or composition process of a song, rather than the recording aspect.
Funding for the composition of commissioned works available through the Art Music Fund.
As we do not assign rights for these performance types, we do not fund them through the Music Grants program.
To ensure that our members’ rights and interests are protected and not infringed, we insist that terms and conditions are provided for projects featuring competitions. These will undergo a review by our legal team to ensure they do not contradict our assignment of rights.
We also need to ensure that any music sharing/ download websites comply with licensing obligations, and do not detract from the rights of music creators or users.
Can APRA AMCOS be the sole funder of my project?
Our music grants are not intended to be the leading sponsor of any event, program or initiative. We aim to fund activities that support the promotion of the musical works of Australian songwriters and composers. The grant application form will ask you to provide evidence (if available) of other financial contributions.
Can I apply for an APRA AMCOS music grant to financially support my overseas tour?
No. Our music grants are not available to fund individual bands touring domestically or overseas.
Can I challenge the board decision once it's been made?
The APRA AMCOS Board's decision is final. If you are an applicant, you may request to discuss the outcome with us, however we are not required to provide you with reason for the outcome. Requests for feedback regarding the outcome must be received within 14 days of us advising you that a funding request was declined.
Can I change the conditions of the grant once the board has made a decision?
In certain cases variations to your projects may be accepted. All variations must be sent in writing to the Music Grants Administrator. This must include all aspects that are to be varied (including any new budget). You will be advised if your variation is successful.
Can I discuss my application in more detail with someone before I submit it?
Yes, you can contact Andrew Tuttle, Grants Administrator via email [email protected]
Please include your name and contact number.
Can I make a variation to my project after the grant has been approved?
Yes, although all variations to the projects must be approved in writing prior to the use. Send an email with your variation request.
Does APRA AMCOS offer any awards, grants or competitions?
APRA AMCOS is committed to supporting and celebrating the artistic excellence and commercial success of songwriters and composers across all genres.
There are several programs, grants, awards, competitions to help you build a thriving career in the music industry.
I am an APRA AMCOS member. Can I apply for an APRA AMCOS grant to pay for the recording or marketing of my new album?
No, they cannot be used for individual projects. Our music grants can only be used to fund projects and initiatives that support the wider membership.
I have already submitted my application. Can I add supporting material?
We will accept supporting material up to 30 June of the year you apply. If you submit via post, you must notify the Music Grants Administrator ahead of time. Any additional material you provide must be clearly marked as supporting material to your named application. We are not able to return supporting material to you.
Must I use the grant by 30 June?
Our music grants are awarded as part of an annual financial year cycle. If you do not use your grant by 30 June of the financial year it was awarded, you will need to re-apply for the grant in the next cycle. Grants cannot be carried over to the following financial year.
My funded project is complete. How do I start my acquittal form?
Submit your acquittal through the Smartygrants portal (this is the same portal you submitted your application in). You will need to use the same login that was used to submit the application. Contact us if you have any questions.
We require music grant recipients to submit a completed Acquittal form two months after the project/event - or no later than 31 May in the financial year of funding (whichever occurs first). If you don't submit a completed acquittal, this may affect future funding opportunties with APRA AMCOS.
What if I have two separate projects from the one organisation?
You may submit more than one application but they must be on separate application forms.
What if I miss the application deadline?
Unfortunately you can't submit an application once the closing date has passed.
Who can I contact to discuss my application in more detail before I submit it?
Contact Andrew Tuttle, Music Grants Administrator via email. Please include your name and contact number.
Who decides the grant allocation?
Grants are reviewed and determined by the Board Awards and Music Grants Committee and approved at the APRA Board meeting in July/August.
Why do I need to supply the terms and conditions of songwriting competitions?
We ask for a copy to ensure that the conditions are in line with APRA AMCOS membership conditions.