The Youth Music Trailblazer fundoffers grants of£2,000 to£30,000 to organisations in England to run projects for children and young people (25 or under) to make, learn and earn in music. The project should trial work or test a new way of working, sustain a grassroots programme or disrupt the status quo (or all three!).
Your work must meet one of our themes:
- Early years
- Youth justice system
- Organisations and the workforce.
A Trailblazer project could be:
- A new CIC testing out different ways of supporting nurseries to embed music-making into their day-to-day activities.
- A small grassroots music organisation that wants to sustain a successful programme of music-making.
- A Music Education Hub that wants to disrupt the status quo of their local music scene by setting up a Youth Board that has budget & power to make decisions about how the hub is run.
- An established youth centre trialling a programme of music activities for the first time
Trailblazer Round 13
Round Opens:31 July 2026
Deadline:28 August 2026, 5pm
Notification:11 December 2026
For projects starting between:January and March 2027
Trailblazer Round 14
Round Opens:23 October 2026
Deadline:20 November 2026, 5pm
Notification:19 March 2027
For projects starting between:April and June 2027
All deadlines are 5pm.
Youth Music Trailblazer Grants – Test, Sustain and Disrupt employer: Soundandmusic
London Youth Folk Ensemble is an exceptional employer for young musicians, offering a vibrant and inclusive environment where creativity thrives. With regular performances at iconic venues and festivals across London, members not only gain invaluable experience but also have the opportunity to grow as artists in a supportive community. The commitment to fostering talent and passion for folk music makes this an inspiring place for young people to develop their skills and connect with like-minded individuals.
