Hinrichsen Foundation — Contemporary Music Project Grants
Offered by The Hinrichsen Foundation
Who can apply
Applicants must be based in the United Kingdom, and may be individuals, organisations or charities. Projects must focus on the performance, commissioning (with a confirmed performance) or recording of contemporary music, with priority for projects involving UK-based composers and activity, though the activity itself need not take place entirely in the UK. Not funded: research, composer competitions, and applications from undergraduates. Trustees do not reconsider previously unsuccessful applications or re-applications for the same project. Projects led by larger organisations (turnover GBP 150,000 or more) are expected to pay composers and musicians responsibly, and small grants to large organisations may not be prioritised. Supporting links must be active and not password-protected or the application can be ruled ineligible.
About this opportunity
The Hinrichsen Foundation funds the performance, commissioning and recording of contemporary and experimental music in the UK. In practice that means concerts and series of new work, a commission where the performance is already confirmed, or a recording project — and recordings, like everything else, are expected to come with a plan for reaching listeners.
You must be based in the UK. Individuals, organisations and charities can all apply, and priority goes to projects involving UK-based composers and activity, though the activity doesn't have to happen entirely in the UK. Undergraduates can't apply. Research funding and composer competitions are out of scope, and trustees don't revisit applications that have already been turned down.
One-off project grants generally range from £500 to £3,000. The foundation rarely funds a project alone, so you're expected to name another income source, secured or projected — ticket sales count — and budgets that ignore ticket income, recording revenue or other external money are unlikely to succeed. Applications are considered in September, December and March rounds.
Trustees look for a clear programme of activity with a timeline and defined outputs, artistic risk and diversity, real collaboration between composers, musicians and whoever puts the work in front of an audience, fair pay for composers and performers — particularly from organisations turning over £150,000 or more — and demonstrated financial need. Small requests from large organisations may be deprioritised. Any supporting links you give must be live and not password-protected. Trustee decisions are final.
Gatekeepers · Past editions
Know who's reviewing — and what has won before.
Our researched briefing for this opportunity is ready. Pro members see it in full.
8
decision-makers profiled — their backgrounds, interests, and what they look for
1
past edition analyzed — winners, themes, and what successful projects share
Researched , from public sources.
Sign in to go ProIncluded with Pro, alongside apply links for every upcoming date, unlimited saves, calendar sync and reminders from a month out.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the deadline for Hinrichsen Foundation — Contemporary Music Project Grants?
- The next deadline has not been announced yet. It has run before and is expected to return. We check this listing regularly and will update it as soon as a date is published.
- Who offers Hinrichsen Foundation — Contemporary Music Project Grants?
- The Hinrichsen Foundation runs it, from United Kingdom, United Kingdom.
- What funding or support does Hinrichsen Foundation — Contemporary Music Project Grants offer?
- Generally GBP 500 to GBP 3,000. The Foundation rarely funds a project on its own and expects applicants to show another income source, secured or projected, such as ticket sales.
- Who can apply for Hinrichsen Foundation — Contemporary Music Project Grants?
- Applicants must be based in the United Kingdom, and may be individuals, organisations or charities. Projects must focus on the performance, commissioning (with a confirmed performance) or recording of contemporary music, with priority for projects involving UK-based composers and activity, though the activity itself need not take place entirely in the UK. Not funded: research, composer competitions, and applications from undergraduates. Trustees do not reconsider previously unsuccessful applications or re-applications for the same project. Projects led by larger organisations (turnover GBP 150,000 or more) are expected to pay composers and musicians responsibly, and small grants to large organisations may not be prioritised. Supporting links must be active and not password-protected or the application can be ruled ineligible.
- How do I apply for Hinrichsen Foundation — Contemporary Music Project Grants?
- You apply on the funder's own site. The link is on this page: with a free GrantGigs account for deadlines in the next 30 days, or with Pro for later ones. If applications are new to you, our guide on how to apply for music grants walks through the whole process. Read the guide →
Similar opportunities
Closing soon
Hinrichsen Foundation — Contemporary Music Project Grants