Have you experienced barriers relating to being a Black music creator or industry professional?

Do you want grant support and to take part in a transformative programme in order to break down barriers and break through the glass ceiling?

Will POWER UP support have a significant impact on your progression?

POWER UP supports exceptional talent on the creative side and behind the scenes in the industry, providing opportunities to progress which benefits members of the network and the wider music community. We can help participants to realise their potential and shape the future of music.

We encourage potential applicants to read our full updated guidance pages, watch and listen to existing advice videos and podcasts, and sign up to advice sessions we will be running before the deadline.  We also recommend checking out our list of Year 1 – 3. Participants for an impression of the mix of creators and professionals selected in previous cohorts.

You can apply here once you have read the full guidance below where we describe what level eligible applicants should be at, what things POWER UP partners are looking for and where to go if other types of support are more appropriate.

For Welsh-speaking applicants, we have published this Welsh language guidance and will offer the chance to apply using our Welsh language application form. 

What support is on offer?

Participants will bring their expertise and experiences to the network and will POWER UP through:

• • • Grant support of up to £15,000 (up to £15,000 for music creators, and up to £10,000 for executives and industry professionals)

We know through other PRS Foundation programmes that crucial and timely grant support has a transformative impact on long-term creative and career development. We have outlined below the types of activities creators and industry professionals might include in their applications.

• • • Capacity building and mentoring

We have designed a holistic programme which will bring together our network of 40 participants (creators and professionals) and offers bespoke built around the non-financial support needs of participants.

The year-round programme kicks off with a network meet-up and a period of induction to determine the training and development support offered to power up each participant. Support on offer will include:

• Masterclasses, workshops, webinars other sessions focussed on professional and creative development  – over 20 sessions will be delivered (some compulsory, some elective)

• Elite mentoring – participants will be paired with suitable mentors identified from partners and our wider network. Mentees will meet mentors at least 4 times over a 6 month period

• Coaching – group coaching sessions will be offered during the induction period. Where relevant, some participants will be offered individual coaching in place of mentoring

• Formal network meet-ups  – regular small and full-network meet-ups will be organised so that participants benefit from networking support (see below)

• Mental health and wellbeing – where relevant, participants will have access to mental health and wellbeing support from the PRS Members’ Fund. And participants will offered mental health and wellbeing first-aid training from Music Support

• Other support  – this will include bespoke activities facilitated by POWER UP (e.g. sessions with legal experts, business consultants, etc.). And many POWER UP Partners offer spaces on relevant training courses, access to resources, one-to-one advice or small group sessions to fast-track progression

A significant part of the programme is engaging and collaborating within selected participant cohorts. Strong, long-term bonds will be made and we expect applicants to buy-in to the peer-to-peer nature of the network to seize additional opportunities.

• • • Support from and access to partners

Participants might engage with our POWER UP partners and talent development partners who work across all sectors and genres. This added value will help to fast-track progression where relevant.

Confirmed partners offering added value support include YouTube Music, Beggars Group, the Black Music Coalition, Creative Scotland, Believe, Simkins, Arts Council of Wales, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, plus AIM, The FAC, The Ivors Academy, The MMF, MPG, The Musicians’ Union, PPL, PRS for Music and the PRS Members’ Fund, as well as Associate Partner Daft Springer. Among the support available to relevant participants is free membership, access to member resources, mentoring, workshop and webinar provision, one-to-one advice, and mental health and wellbeing support. A full list of added value support will be outlined at application stage.

• • • Marketing and promotional support from the PRS Foundation and POWER UP partners

Inspired by the impact and success of our Keychange participant network, the POWER UP programme will include an annual cohort which combines music creator and industry professional participants. Each annual participant programme includes:

• Peer-to-peer networking and collaboration
• 2-4 full network meetups (in real-life and/or virtually)
• Mental health and wellbeing support
• Influencing the POWER UP Movement and our advocacy work

Participants will bring their expertise, and experience and results of the network will include:

• Building confidence through a supportive network of creative leaders
• Empowering voices in safe spaces
• Promoting role models
• Diversifying career options

Partners consider the Participant Programme and Participant Network to be integral to powering up successful applicants. We expect participants to take part in network meet-ups, webinars, workshops, mentoring sessions and other elements of the programme. Grant support depends on attendance and engagement and grant payments will be staggered in line with attendance.

Applicants should expect at 1-2 sessions per month between May and April, plus up to 4 in-person meet-ups (COVID-dependent), and we are now used to delivering a combination of remote/online support and in-person events.  We expect good attendance and commitment so please only apply if you can dedicate time to the programme.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate:

• How and why participation will have a transformative impact at this stage of their career
• What they will get out of working with a network of other Black creators and executives
• Why they want to be part of POWER UP and the participant network
• What they will bring to the network in terms of unique skills, capabilities and experiences
• A need for financial support

We are looking to support exciting, talented music creators working in any genre, based anywhere in the UK who have reached a crucial tipping point and may face barriers to progression based on race^.

Music creator participants must demonstrate and submit examples of distinctive, original talent (you will be asked to submit music examples and our advisors will judge the quality of your music). And eligible applicants must be able to answer YES to the below questions:

• Are you a Black music creator (artist, songwriter, composer or producer involved in the creation of new music)?
• Do you face barriers to progression based on your race^?
• Are you based in the UK?
• Within the genre(s) you work in, have you achieved a level of success that suggests you are at a crucial tipping point*?
• Will the funding and other support have a significant impact on your progression?
• Do you release your music independently? (PRS Foundation is unable to support music creators signed to major record labels or publishers)

^ We understand that some barriers are more obvious or blatant than others and therefore most Black music creators can answer ‘yes’ to this question. Within a confidential section of our application process, we ask applicants to outline barriers they face where race may be a factor, and to demonstrate how the POWER UP participant programme may help them to overcome such barriers. Where relevant, participants will have access to mental health and wellbeing support from the PRS Members’ Fund and mental health and wellbeing first-aid training from Music Support. And our application form signposts all applicants to Music Support’s Thrive app which offers offering 24/7 support focused on the prevention and detection of common mental health conditions. 

* Our definition of the crucial tipping point is a career stage that shows that momentum has been built and that a high level of support will help you to forge a successful, long-term career. The participant programme is not designed for entry level or early career talent who in most cases can apply to other PRS Foundation funding programmes or can access more readily available support.

Eligible applicants will be beyond that career phase and we will ask for key indicators within our application form so that applicants can show that within the context of their genre, scene or region they are at a crucial tipping point.

Indicators might include some or all of the following (where relevant to your genre or scene):

• Evidence of a strong and growing fanbase nationally and/or internationally
• A strong live track-record, with evidence of playing high-profile headline or support shows locally, regionally and nationally
• Equivalent profile premieres or commissions of new works for composer applicants
• National media coverage such as national radio play, high-profile DSP playlist support, or interviews, features or other coverage in national press or online media which within the context of your genre(s) or scene helps you to stand out
• High-profile creative collaborations
• A working relationship with at least one team member (e.g. a manager, publisher, record label, booking agent, PR/Plugger, and/or lawyer) where this is relevant to your genre (i.e. we know plenty of established or mid-career composers who don’t have team members but are at a suitable level for POWER UP support)

Key data points requested in the form will include the level of online followers/subscribers/monthly listeners and level of engagement with online fanbases on various relevant platforms, or the average capacity of live shows in your home region and elsewhere. We will be using expert advisors covering all genres and fields of music so please know that it is up to the applicant to show how they are at a crucial career tipping point, and our decision will factor in nuances of your scene, genre, region and background.

Barriers are faced by Black music creators working in all genres, with some being less representative than others. We are actively encouraging artists, songwriters, composers and producers working in any genre to apply and expect our selection of participants to reflect exciting new music in the UK across the board.

The POWER UP participant programme will support 20 music creators each year. We welcome those working in bands, duos or collectives as well as solo artists or music creators. One member of a band, duo or collective can be selected and one member will take part for most programme activities. We are unlikely to select two or more Black members of the same band, duo or collective to take part in the main network activities because we want to create a wide-reaching network.

This means a Black duo, three-piece of four-piece band or collective may wish to agree which member applies to take part in the programme, which of course is likely to benefit the band, duo or collective.

Where a band or collective is formed of Black and non-Black members, we will only accept applications from Black individual members and music creators.

The programme offers Black music creator participants grants of up to £15,000 to support creative and career development and help participants to break down barriers to progression.

It is down to the applicant to outline areas of spend which will have a significant impact. Applicants must justify areas of spend and each application needs a strong plan which alongside music submitted will form the basis of a decision.

Activity likely to be supported includes:

• • • MUSIC CREATION:
    • Recording – costs associated with creating new music to release albums, EPs, singles, etc. (e.g. studio hire, producer fees, engineer fees, mixing and mastering costs, session musician fees)
    • Studio hire costs (e.g. daily studio hire, tracking, production and mixing fees) *This should be detailed in your application form with a budget, timeline and trajectory*
    • Writing space rental or lease (UK spaces only)
    • Costs relating to songwriter camps, co-writes, collaboration, etc.
    • Creative / professional development (including training courses if applicable)
    • Residencies
    • Co-commissions – assistance for composers to establish relationships with commissioning bodies in the UK and overseas
    • Music creator fees/time to create (e.g. a fee to cover a reasonable about of your creation time, collaborator fees)
    • LIVE PERFORMANCE:
    • Costs associated with touring, showcasing, live premieres, launch shows (e.g. travel, accommodation, musician fees, set/production design, venue, tour management, equipment hire)
    • Costs associated with live-streams or pre-records for virtual or hybrid performances
    • Promotion/performance of existing work (e.g. within the Classical sector, costs associated with getting existing pieces performed or toured in the UK and internationally)
    • DISTRIBUTION, MARKETING AND PROMOTION:
    • Distribution of your recordings
    • PR fees
    • Radio plugging fees
    • Digital marketing costs
    • Production of music videos
    • Merchandise production and distribution
    • OTHER:
    • Other travel costs (e.g. costs associated with travelling to business meetings, attending key industry events, networking meetings or creative activities)
    • <strong”>Project related maternity, paternity or childcare costs which enable participants to develop

In some circumstances where there is strong justification and outcomes are clearly explained to advisors, the grant may also support international activity that could build your profile and benefit your creative development, and the purchase of equipment/software/hardware where there is a clear benefit to the creation of new music.

• • • Van/car purchase
    • Support for a roster of artists – each application must focus on one artist
    • Capital projects (e.g. building work, studio builds)
    • Projects requesting funding that would or could be covered entirely by the deal the artist/creator has with a label, publisher, management company or other relationships
    • Student finance
    • Loan repayments
    • The transfer of grants to other music creators or companies which has no impact on a participant’s development

POWER UP grants will contribute towards the costs of proposed activity and within your application you will be asked to outline expected costs and associated income in order to arrive at a grant request amount which will enable you to see the project through successfully and effectively. If you are signed to a record label or music publisher, or have other types of investment, you will be asked to outline investment and explain why POWER UP grant support is still required. You may be selected for the programme and offered a reduced grant amount.
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To avoid double funding, applicants would have to declare any recent or potential grant applications which may mean PRS Foundation is supporting the same activity twice.

We are looking to support Black music executives and industry professionals based anywhere in the UK working in any sector of music who have an established track-record but may face barriers to progression based on race. This includes employees and entrepreneurs, freelancers and self-employed professionals.

The participant programme is not designed for entry level industry professionals who should consider applying to POWER UP in future years.

Eligible roles within the music industry may include:

A&R roles at record labels and/or music publishers | Accounting roles | Artist manager | Booking agents | Business affairs roles | Composer manager | Consultant | Content Creator | Copyright or royalties roles | Data administration | DJ | Festival bookers | Festival directors | Marketing roles | Media and broadcasting roles | Member service representatives | Product manager roles | Project or programme managers | Promoters | R&D roles | Songwriter manager | Sync roles | Talent development organisation roles (including non-profits) | Trade association roles | Venue manager | Other administrative roles | Other live roles | Other music creator representatives | Other music publishing roles

In our selection process we will attempt to achieve a strong balance of music industry roles.

We also understand that individual applicants may fulfil several roles, something that has come up regularly in Focus Group sessions when shaping the programme so applicants can select multiple roles.

If you work in an industry role which is not covered above, we welcome your application. Please feel free to email applications@prsfoundation.com if you are unsure if you will be eligible.

POWER UP participants may be:

• • • Employees working within the music sector e.g. those working within large companies or SMEs wanting to use POWER UP to progress their career and move into senior positions or C-Level roles

• • • Self-employed and/or freelance music industry professionals or independent contractors e.g. Sole traders, business founders and/or those running limited companies who want to POWER UP and grow their businesses. Or those wanting to use POWER UP to expand their services, develop their client-base, upskill, expand networks and build their brand 

• • • Future business founders and owners e.g. those wanting to establish or further develop their own companies

• • • Currently unemployed people with a strong track-record within the music sector
    • Other workers e.g. casual workers/agency workers) within the music sector

POWER UP participants may work within the major or independent sector but note that our application form will ask why support of this kind is still needed and how a company will contribute to your development (if relevant).

POWER UP applicants may be moving or may want to move from one role or sector to another, or from one employment status to another. POWER UP exists to empower Black creative and executive talent and as such we take a flexible and bespoke approach.

• • • Are you a Black executive or industry professional?
    • Do you face barriers to progression based on your race^?
    • Are you based in the UK?
    • Do you have at least 3 years of experience within the music industry or music sector^^?
    • Within your field, have you achieved a level of success that suggests you are at a crucial tipping point*?
    • Will the funding and other support have a significant impact on your progression?
    • Do you bring something fresh or important to the network of participants? For example, the network may benefit from your extensive track-record, you may fulfil a unique role or work in a position which is particularly under-representative. Or you might be interested in new business models and innovative ways of working which are relevant to your area of expertise

^ We understand that some barriers are more obvious or blatant than others and therefore most Black executives answer ‘yes’ to this question. Within a confidential section of our application process, we ask applicants to outline barriers they face where race may be a factor, and to demonstrate how the POWER UP participant programme may help them to overcome such barriers.

^^ In most cases, eligible applicants will have worked in music for at least 5 years. We recognise that some may have taken a career break, may have equivalent experience and transferable skills from other industries, or may have quickly reached a crucial tipping point. If this sounds like you, please apply and make a strong case within your application.

* Our definition of the crucial tipping point is a career stage that shows that a strong track-record has been built and that a high level of support will help you to forge a successful, long-term career on your own terms.

Indicators may include some or all of the following:

• • • Recognition from industry peers, respected industry professionals, relevant media coverage, etc. Within your application form you may demonstrate this through strong references, evidence of recent support from respected figures within your sector, award nominations, or any trade press or other media coverage you have secured (if applicable to your specialist field, scene or region)
    • A track-record of commercial or critical acclaim or success for artists, creators, projects or programmes you have worked on
    • Other evidence that you are at a crucial career point

Chosen executive participants will also demonstrate a commitment to supporting and empowering Black talent and/or colleagues, buying into the ethos of the POWER UP network and POWER UP Movement to help move the needle and shape the future of music.

The programme offers Black industry professional participants grants of up to £10,000 to support the applicant’s development needs and to break down barriers to progression.

The grant may cover training, development, music projects, campaigns, events, product launches, business costs, equipment and/or the development of new businesses.

There is no limit to the type of activity supported and we encourage innovation. It is down to the applicant to outline and justify areas of spend which will have a significant impact alongside the non-grants support on offer.

The grant may contribute to costs associated with:

• • • TRAINING COSTS:
    • Training fees and other such costs associated with your own career development, skills-building. This might include training from experts in live, publishing, recorded, legal, accounting, brands or sync sectors
    • Reasonable travel and accommodation costs incurred attending such training activity (NB. travel associated with POWER UP network meet-ups will be covered separately for appropriate participants)
    • MENTORING AND COACHING:
    • Mentoring and coaching fees for non-participant programme-related mentoring which will significantly develop the participant
    • Reasonable travel and accommodation costs incurred attending mentoring and/or coaching activity
    • BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (i.e. activities which will significantly grow the participant’s business):
    • Business start-up costs
    • Business development costs including consultancy, legal costs, accountancy costs and activity-specific equipment and consumables
    • Partial employment of a paid intern, assistant or other colleagues whereby the participant is able to significantly develop
    • A contribution to business rental costs
    • A contribution to other reasonable costs of running a business during the activity timeline
    • MUSIC PROJECT COSTS:
    • Release campaigns – for relevant participants (e.g. those running independent record companies, management companies), grant-support can contribute to sensible investment in artist releases where there is a clear benefit to the participant’s long-term development
    • Event management costs – for relevant participants (e.g. event managers, independent promoters), grant-support can contribute to costs associated with live performance activity or business events which will have a positive impact on the development of the participant or their own business
    • Other activities related to the development of music creators a participant is working with where there is a clear benefit to the participant’s long-term development. A positive knock-on impact for others in the music ecosystem is considered a bonus, especially where such expenditure results in fair, equitable renumeration, and where Black music creators benefit
    • MARKETING AND PROMOTION COSTS:
    • Marketing and promotion support – including marketing, advertising, trademarks, website and digital development where justified (i.e. where there will be clear career progression impact)
    • OTHER COSTS:
    • Activity-related childcare costs which enable participants to develop
    • Attending key industry events including conferences
    • Travel costs (e.g. costs associated with travelling to business meetings, conferences, networking meetings or creative activities)

In some cases, applicants might allocate a reasonable proportion of grant support to covering living costs so that as a participant they can take advantage of relevant opportunities (e.g. high-level placements/training courses). We will prioritise the proactive costs listed above but welcome applicants making a strong case within their application.

• • • Van/car purchase*
    • Capital projects (e.g. building work, studio builds)
    • Projects requesting funding that would or could be covered entirely by the participants employer or by other businesses or investors involved in projects
    • Student finance
    • Loan repayments
    • The transfer of grants to other music creators, businesses or industry professionals
    • Payments to an executive participants’ employer to cover their training costs^

POWER UP grants will contribution towards the costs of proposed activity and within your application you will be asked to outline expected costs and associated income in order to arrive at a grant request amount which will enable you develop successfully and effectively.

To avoid double funding, applicants would have to declare any recent or potential grant applications which may mean PRS Foundation is supporting the same activity for the creators the participant is working with.

^ For employees or consultants working for or with music companies: POWER UP subscribes to the Black Music Coalition’s five key priorities, which includes asking companies to implement career development for Black staff across all business areas, including long standing consultants. Please consider in your application that there may be some development areas which advisors will reasonably expect your employer to cover or contribute to – especially if you work in a large music company. However, we recognise that structural racism and other barriers may result in an applicant wanting to include capacity building costs regardless. We therefore encourage applicants to confidentially outline reasons such costs are included, or to outline plans to use the POWER UP support to change roles (whether within or outside of your current company).

* Contact applications@prsfoundation.com if you feel this activity is relevant to your career development (e.g. if you are a TM and it makes sense for your career development)

POWER UP will support Black music creators and Black executives and industry professionals.

We recognise that ethnicity is personal to individuals through connections to common heritage, languages, cultures and/or ideologies stressing a common ancestry¹ so we are defining Black participants as people who would describe themselves as Black and/or have Black heritage.

For the avoidance of doubt, the POWER UP Participant Programme is specifically for Black participants; it is not for those who belong to other ethnic groups such as Asian or White, or for those who are ‘politically black’ or fall within labels PRS Foundation no longer uses “POC” or “BAME” who do not describe themselves as Black or do not have Black heritage.

Within our application form we will firstly ask:

‘Do you describe yourself as Black and/or do you have Black heritage?’

We will then ask applicants: (if yes) ‘Which of the following best describes your ethnicity?’ (applicants are given options based on harmonising ethnicity categories recommended by governments in the UK nations):

• • • Black/Black British – African
    • Black/Black British – Caribbean
    • Black/Black British – African and Caribbean
    • Black/Black British – Other (specify below)
    • Mixed – Black Caribbean and White
    • Mixed – Black African and White
    • Mixed – Black and Asian
    • Mixed – Black and Other (specify below)

¹The Institute of Race Relations defines “ethnicity/ethnic group” as a group of people whose members identify with each other through a common heritage, often consisting of a common language, common culture (which can include a religion) and or an ideology which stresses a common ancestry. It is the way that most countries and peoples choose to delineate groups and has superseded the biological idea of ‘race’.

We recognise that for some (but not all) people, national identity is closely related to ethnicity. In this context, national identity would refer to the country/countries, nation/nations which a person feels most connected to or has a strong affinity with. National identity differs from ethnicity but for some is very closely related. For example, in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, many people with Black ethnicity also have a strong ‘Scottish’, ‘Welsh’, ‘Irish’ or ‘British’ identity. As such, when it comes to eligible applicants (those who would describe themselves as Black or have Black heritage), we encourage you to select the ethnicity category you feel most affinity with. For example, an applicant who identifies as ‘Black Scottish’ might choose “Black/Black British – African”, “Black/Black British – Caribbean” or “Black/Black British -Other”, specifying “Black Scottish” in our form’s optional text box.

We are taking this action because we recognise that Black creatives and executives experience many barriers to progression including:

• • • Structural and systemic racism, everyday prejudice and injustice in the industry and within music spaces
    • Underrepresentation on-stage, in studios, in the media, within the industry and in every sub-sector of the music industry
    • Marginalisation within the music industry, and a lack of visibility on and off stage
    • Inequitable financial benefit – with historic exploitation of Black music, the Black community received a disproportionate share of the financial rewards of Black music’s success

As a funder we recognise that across the charitable sector there is historic underrepresentation through traditional funding and a lack of change over the last decades. Accessibility and visibility are issues for many funding schemes and underrepresented creatives are often less able to apply to fast-turnaround open calls.

We want to address this.

Read our Background page for information on how POWER UP came about and for links to more evidence of the need for the programme.

• • • Music creators or executives who are not Black*
    • [for music creator participants] Musicians, Performers or Producers who do not make an active contribution to songwriting or composition
    • Students in Further or Higher Education**
    • Applicants who are at entry-level
    • Music creators signed to major labels or major music publishers
    • Music creators who have not been creating music for at least 18-months
    • Those not in need of financial grant support and/or participant network support

* We are defining Black participants as people who would describe themselves as Black or have Black heritage. For those belonging to other ethnic groups and racial identities, we welcome further conversations and manage several funding schemes and programmes which may be of interest and can help your creative and career development.

** In exceptional circumstances, a music student may also be at a crucial career tipping point in their career outside of studies. In PRS Foundation’s experience it is rare they would be eligible but please contact applications@prsfoundation.com if you think an exception should be made for you.

PRS Foundation manages over a dozen different funding programmes for music creators of all races and backgrounds and we encourage you to consider applying to our inclusive, open and other targeted programmes. You may also be eligible for other funding from your local Arts Council, from other private funders or other Trusts & Foundation and more guidance on music creator funding can be found here.

You may also be eligible for support from Organisations PRS Foundation works with, including our network of Talent Development Partners.

And for industry professionals not in the right position for POWER UP support, we would happily signpost you to like-minded partners, including trade associations POWER UP partners with and other support programmes available from entry-level up. Please contact info@prsfoundation.com to find out more.

Until Black talent of all genders, sexualities and other identities is powered up, the Black music community will not be powered up and the wider music ecosystem’s collective growth will be stunted.

In shaping the programme, we held Focus Groups discussing barriers for Black women and gender minority creators and executives, and for the Black LGBTQIA+ community, and PRS Foundation prides itself on our inclusive and intersectional approach. We welcome applications from Black creators and industry professionals from all backgrounds and aim for our selection process to reflect this, with a strong, representational balance of participants wherever possible. We are proud to have achieved gender balance in cohorts for Year 1, 2 and 3 as well as to be supporting many LGBTQIA+ participants, and plan for intersectionality to be factored into our process in future years too.

POWER UP founders recognise that barriers are faced by Black artists, songwriters, composers and producers working in all genres, and those working in all sectors and sub-sectors of music may be facing barriers.

It is just as important we support those working in Business Affairs, or Classical composers for example as it is we support those working in A&R or in Black Music genres. While we expect high demand from those working in more representative areas of music, our selection process will consider how we support a broad range of participants who bring something important to the network.

The same applies for those based in the regions or nations. Although we may experience high demand from cities where there is a higher concentration of industry workforce or higher representation of Black creative talent, nuanced decision-making processes will consider regional and national tipping points and specific issues relating to infrastructure, progression and representation.

A more reflective POWER UP participant network will help to open all parts of the industry up for future Black talent.

We cannot accept applications from those Under 16 years of age. We expect to support a wide-range of ages.

Year 4 application deadline is 21st March 2024 at 6:00pm. Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application by (*updated*) 2 May 2024 and the Participant Programme runs for 10 – 12 months.

When applications are open, all applications must be submitted via PRS Foundation’s funding portal (Flexigrant) and additional ‘How to Apply’ guidance is now available here.

We prefer written applications given the level of detail required to outline barriers and upcoming plans (please see Accessibility questions for more information).

Our How to Apply page includes step-by-step guidance for applying online. This guidance page outlines our eligibility criteria, and PRS Foundation team members and those steering the programme will be hosting application tutorials which is especially relevant to executive and industry professional applicants who are less likely to have been through similar application processes.

PRS Foundation will share eligible applications with Black music expert advisors who will score applications and make recommendations. This tried and trusted system is the bedrock of PRS Foundation’s successful decision-making process and allows us to pay Black industry professionals who will help the selection process.

A shortlist of higher scoring and representative applicants will be drawn up by PRS Foundation in consultation with suitable members of our Executive Steering Committee for POWER UP.

A decision panel(s) will be held featuring an independent cross-section of Black music expert advisors who will collectively discuss high scoring applicants in order to make final selections which in line with best funding practice will be authorised by Executive Steering Committee members and relevant members of PRS Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

Successful applicants will be issued offer letters which may include conditions if relevant.

This is not a ‘first-come-first-served’ opportunity so any application submitted before our deadline will be considered in a fair and transparent manner based on the outlined criteria and information in your application.

Most PRS Foundation programmes experience high demand, with a strong possibility that less than 10% of applicants will be selected.

Unsuccessful applicants will be informed by email. Wherever possible we will signpost alternative support available to applicants and will outline our feedback process, including common reasons applicants have not been selected and an invite to take part in feedback workshops, and in some cases in feedback calls.

Unsuccessful music creator applicants may be signposted to other funding schemes such as the PPL Momentum Music Fund, Hitmaker, The Composers’ Fund, The Open Fund or Women Make Music.

Unsuccessful industry professional applicants may be told about funding opportunities for music creators they are working with, or for new music projects they are working on. We are also building lists of other business development opportunities and depending on your suitability, may list other opportunities.

We will accept applications to future POWER UP open calls, but the decisions of our advisors and the POWER UP team are final.

Furthermore, we may contact suitable applicants if we feel there are mutually beneficial ways they can get involved in our network or movement outside of being selected as a participant (e.g. joining our network of Focus Group members).

We are committed to inclusion and accessibility. PRS Foundation is part of Attitude is Everything’s Next Stage Funding group, focused on removing barriers in the music industry for creators and professionals with impairments or long-term health conditions.

We understand that deadlines and form-filling can present challenges for some applicants with access requirements. To reduce barriers, we will take requests for additional advice, video application options and a deadline extension if appropriate.

Please email the applications@prsfoundation.com by Thursday 21 March, 18:00 if you have access requirements related to the application process and you need extra support.

This could include deadline extension (up until Monday 25 March 2024), alternative application formats and additional advice from us.

We may also be in a position to offer ‘top-up’ funding to support additional access requirements to aid participation in the programme, and ask applicants to outline relevant access requirements confidentially within our funding forms.

In keeping with our commitment to Fair Access Principles, we may also ringfence money for under-represented groups who are most in need of support.

We expect the individual prospective participant to apply rather than their representatives (e.g. if you are a Black artist wanting to join the participant network and you have a manager, you may want your manager to support your application but it is important you are heavily engaged in the application process and committed as an individual). If for accessibility of application you require additional support, we very much welcome a representative or assistant applying on your behalf but POWER UP is not like schemes such as the PPL Momentum Music Fund where a representative applying is more likely to result in success.

We will hold only one POWER UP deadline per participant year. So unsuccessful applicants to Year 1 will be able to apply to our Year 2 programme unsuccessful Year 2 applicants can apply to our Year 3 programme and so on. Feedback to unsuccessful applicants may or may not suggest a future application.

Yes – if you’ve been a PRS Foundation grantee in the past, you can still apply.

We reserve the right to prioritise first time PRS Foundation grantees. Those in receipt of funding for a current project are less of a priority because they can access other support from PRS Foundation.

If at time of applying to POWER UP, you are also applying to other PRS Foundation programmes such as the PPL Momentum Music Fund, we advise contacting applications@prsfoundation.com so that the team can best advise on the likely scenarios. It is unlikely you will be selected and can receive funding support for 2 major programmes at the same time so better to discuss openly with the team.

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