Beyond Borders was established in 2010 to support high quality co-commissions and tours, stimulating collaboration between composers, performance groups and music organisations across the four UK countries and, since 2014, the Republic of Ireland.

Beyond Borders, is open to applications from organisations, music groups and composers.  Funding of up to £15,000 is available for projects that include repeat performances of music written in the past five years, new commissions and recordings.

This co-commissioning and touring programme is run by PRS Foundation in partnership with Creative Scotland (supported by the National Lottery), Arts Council of Wales, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Arts Council of Ireland / An Chomhairle Ealaíon.

This opportunity stimulates collaboration between organisations and bands/ensembles in England, Northern lreland, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales. It enables music creators to produce exceptional new material to be performed in at least three of these countries.

The scheme has supported over 50 projects so far, bringing together organisations and music creators across the UK, Ireland and abroad. Click on the link below to find out more about the projects supported through this fund.

The aims of Beyond Borders are to:

• support imaginative, high quality co-commissions and performances of new musical works by UK and Ireland-based music creators in a framework which guarantees more than one performance in different countries
• support further performances/touring of music written by UK and Ireland-based music creators during the past five years
• support projects which are genuinely collaborative and have been developed jointly by the partners involved (whether as co-commissioners or touring partners)
• encourage partnerships and sharing of expertise between organisations in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Wales and England which are committed to commissioning new music and developing local and regional audiences
• raise the profile and benefits of co-commissioning/co-producing/touring which takes work beyond the premiere to a broader range of organisations and audiences

• The scheme is open to all UK or Ireland-based not-for-profit organisations.
• There must be a minimum of three live performances between the decision date and the end of the following calendar year, reaching audiences in at least three UK/Ireland regions.
• Recordings and digital activity are eligible for support but cannot form the majority of the funding request. All Beyond Borders projects are expected to have a significant element of live activity.
• We expect music to be the focus of the commission, but cross-artform collaborations are encouraged.
• Although Beyond Borders funding is available to support performances in the UK/Ireland, the premiere of the work does not have to be in the UK/Ireland.
• Organisations currently working on previous Beyond Borders projects are welcome to apply, but we particularly welcome submissions from new collaborative partnerships.
• Beyond Borders projects should demonstrate significant additionality to any activity supported by core funding or other project funding from Creative Scotland, Arts Council of Wales, Arts Council of Northern Ireland or Arts Council of Ireland / An Chomhairle Ealaíon.
• We expect Beyond Borders funding to contribute to, rather than support full project costs. Budget projections should include other cash income, in addition to any in-kind-support.
• It is expected that many applicants may already be in receipt of support from Beyond Borders funding partners (Arts Council Ireland, Arts Council Northern Ireland, Arts Council Wales and Creative Scotland). The budget presented should show that these core or project funds do not form part of the Beyond Borders project income. We will encourage additional fundraising.
• Commitment to working in a minimum of 3 regions; commitment to working in a minimum of 3 regions; including delivering live performances, recording and workshops.

• The application process must be lead by an organisation or music group
• Applications must consist of at least three partners, each from a different UK/Ireland region.
• Larger partnerships, incorporating additional international organisations, are encouraged.
• There must be a lead partner for each application comprising a festival, venue, promoter or performing group with organisational capacity and infrastructure to deliver the proposed project.
• If an individual music creator is interested in developing a Beyond Borders project submission, they can contact elizabeth@prsfoundation.com to discuss support in identifying potential partners or access a list of previous funded organisations here.
• Collaborations can involve co-commissioning new works or co-promoting music written by UK/Ireland-based music creators during the past five years.
• International musicians may be involved in Beyond Borders projects, however the music must be primarily written by UK or Ireland-based music creators.

• Up to £15,000

• High quality co-commissions and tours, stimulating collaboration between composers, performance groups and music organisations across the four UK countries and the Republic of Ireland.

• Music creators cannot be part of the commissioning organisation, but may be part of the performing ensemble selected to be part of the project
• Van/car purchase
• International touring
• Support for a roster of artists
• Capital projects (e.g. building work)
• Buying equipment
• Building a studio

• There is one deadline per year.
• Check the deadlines page for the next deadline here and please be aware of our limits on maximum applications per calendar year.

How to apply video coming soon.

Please watch the In Conversation with musician and songwriter Martin Green about his Beyond Borders supported project “Flit” in 2015:

If you have read all the guidance and checked the deadlines page

Apply Here