🎯 Introduction

Promoting music isn’t cheap. Whether it’s £250 for Spotify playlists, £350 for radio PR, or up to £5,000 for TikTok influencer campaigns, the costs can add up quickly – especially for independent artists or small labels. Fortunately, the UK offers a wide range of funding programmes designed to support the creation and promotion of new music.

This guide presents all the available options in 2025 to help you cover your promotion budget – whether you're an artist, band, music entrepreneur, label, or independent promoter. For each funding opportunity, we’ll outline:

• Who it’s for

• What it covers

• How much you can get

• How to apply

• And how easy (or competitive) it is to obtain

At the end, you’ll find a practical comparison table and tips for submitting a successful funding application.

PRS Foundation – Open Fund for Music Creators

• Amount: Up to £5,000

• Who can apply: All UK-based songwriters, composers, performers at any stage

• What it funds: Creation, performance, and promotion – including PR campaigns, social media marketing, playlist pitching, and more

• Application: Simple online form, rolling deadlines with multiple rounds per year

• Ease: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (fairly accessible with a strong proposal)

👉 Ideal for promoting new tracks, launching a digital campaign, or hiring a PR agent.

Help Musicians UK – Career Development & Record & Release Grants

• Amount: £2,000–£5,000

• Who can apply: UK-based professional musicians

• What it funds: Release campaigns, recording, marketing, and even live launch events

• Application: Application windows 2–3 times per year. Strong artistic vision and promotional plan required

• Ease: ⭐⭐⭐ (competitive but well-structured)

Arts Council England – National Lottery Project Grants

• Amount: £1,000 to £100,000 (average music projects: £3,000–£15,000)

• Who can apply: Individual artists, collectives, and organisations in England

• What it funds: Touring, video production, digital promotion, influencer campaigns, etc.

• Application: Rolling basis, but competitive. Requires detailed budget and audience strategy

• Ease: ⭐⭐ (longer process, but scalable funding)

PRS Foundation – Women Make Music, International Showcase Fund

• Additional niche programmes for female-identifying artists or export-ready artists.

• Up to £5,000–£15,000 depending on the fund

PRS Foundation – Early Career Promoter Fund

• Amount: Up to £3,500

• Who can apply: Independent UK-based music promoters, especially those working with emerging artists

• What it funds: Promotion costs (marketing, PR, online campaigns) tied to live events

• Ease: ⭐⭐⭐ (solid chance with local focus)

Music Export Growth Scheme (BPI + DIT)

• Amount: £5,000–£50,000

• Who can apply: UK-based independent labels or management companies

• What it funds: International marketing and export promotion campaigns

• Application: Competitive – but excellent for TikTok/influencer campaigns aimed at overseas markets

National Lottery Community Fund

• Amount: Up to £10,000

• Who can apply: Non-profits, CICs, or music-related social enterprises

• What it funds: Community-driven music promotion, outreach, live content or online engagement

• Ease: ⭐⭐⭐ (relatively light paperwork for smaller grants)

Genesis Foundation / UnLtd / Big Give

• Amount: £2,500–£20,000

• Who can apply: Emerging artists, cultural entrepreneurs, social innovators

• What it funds: Often used for marketing, production, and promotional media (especially via Big Give match-funding campaigns)

• Target easy wins first – start with PRS Foundation and Help Musicians for individual campaigns.

• Tailor your promo plan – be clear about how the funds will be used (e.g. £250 playlisting, £5,000 TikTok).

• Gather supporting materials – music links, visuals, press coverage, digital stats (Spotify for Artists, etc.)

• Emphasise impact – explain how this campaign will grow your audience or career.

• Don’t go it alone – partner with a promoter, venue or label when possible to strengthen your proposal.

📈 Next Steps

• Visit:
  https://prsfoundation.com
  
  https://helpmusicians.org.uk
  
  https://artscouncil.org.uk

• Create a budgeted plan with specific promotional costs

• Apply to 2–3 relevant schemes (start with PRS + Help Musicians)

• Track deadlines and review criteria carefully

• Combine small grants for bigger campaigns (playlist + press + social)

Whether you’re promoting your music locally or internationally, LISTN helps you streamline your promotion strategy – from influencer marketing to playlist pitching and radio coverage. Combine grant funding with LISTN’s campaign tools to amplify your reach and make every pound go further.

👉 Let us help you turn funding into fans. Create your LISTN account now