Deadline: 28-Sep-2026
The Hitmaker Fund provides grants of £5,000 to £10,000 to UK-based songwriters and producers working in popular music genres. The fund supports talented behind-the-scenes music creators at important stages of their careers, helping them develop their creative and professional skills and build sustainable careers in the music industry.
Funding can support activities such as dedicated creative time, training, studio hire, equipment and software, childcare, maternity leave, and international creative development opportunities.
About the Hitmaker Fund
The Hitmaker Fund is designed to invest in songwriters and producers who contribute to the creation of new music but may work behind the scenes rather than as performing artists.
The fund aims to help talented music creators:
- Develop songwriting and production skills.
- Create new music.
- Access professional development opportunities.
- Strengthen their creative practice.
- Reach important career development points.
- Build sustainable careers in the music industry.
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants must meet specific professional and career requirements.
Eligible applicants must:
- Be UK-based songwriters or producers.
- Work in popular music genres.
- Have a previous professional track record.
- Have at least 5 credited works registered with PRS for Music.
- Not be signed to a major label or major publisher deal.
Applications can be submitted directly by the songwriter or producer or by an authorised representative.
Who Can Apply on Behalf of a Songwriter or Producer?
Applications do not have to be submitted personally by the music creator.
Eligible representatives can include:
- Managers.
- Music publishers.
- Lawyers.
- Trusted advisors.
Representatives should ensure that the application clearly reflects the applicant’s creative and professional development needs.
How Much Funding Is Available?
The Hitmaker Fund provides grants between:
£5,000 and £10,000
The funding is intended to support the creative and professional development of songwriters and producers.
Applicants should request an amount that is appropriate for the activities they propose and clearly explain how the funding will contribute to their career development.
What Can the Hitmaker Fund Support?
The fund supports a broad range of creative and professional development activities.
Time to Create
Funding can provide songwriters and producers with dedicated time to focus on creating new music.
This can be particularly valuable for creators who need time away from other commitments to develop their writing or production work.
Training and Skills Courses
Grants can support training or skills courses that strengthen an applicant’s professional capabilities.
This could include development that directly improves songwriting, production, or related creative skills.
Creative and Professional Development
Funding can support activities that help applicants progress creatively and professionally.
Applicants should clearly explain how the proposed development activity relates to their career and future goals.
Studio Hire
Eligible funding can contribute toward studio hire for songwriting or music production activities.
Equipment and Software
Applicants can request funding for equipment or software needed for their creative development.
However, equipment and software purchases can account for no more than 25% of the costs.
Tracking
Funding can support tracking activities associated with music creation and production.
Maternity Leave and Childcare
The fund recognises that personal circumstances can affect a creator’s ability to maintain their professional development.
Eligible funding can therefore contribute toward maternity leave and childcare.
International Creative Development
International activity may be supported where it has a clear benefit for the applicant’s creative development.
This does not mean that international touring is eligible; the activity must contribute specifically to creative development.
Equipment and Software Limit
Equipment and software are eligible but restricted.
Applicants can allocate up to 25% of costs to equipment or software.
The majority of the proposed budget should therefore demonstrate how the grant will contribute to broader creative and professional development.
What Is Not Eligible?
The Hitmaker Fund does not support certain activities or costs.
Ineligible activities include:
- Purchasing a van.
- Purchasing a car.
- International touring.
- Supporting a roster of artists.
- Projects already covered by existing label or publisher deals.
- Capital projects.
- Building a studio.
Applicants should make sure that their proposed activities fall within the fund’s creative and professional development objectives.
Existing Label or Publisher Deals
Projects that are already covered by an existing label or publisher deal are not eligible for support.
Applicants should therefore clearly identify the status of their professional agreements and demonstrate that the proposed activity falls outside existing contractual support.
Commercially Exploited Works Requirement
Applications must include at least two commercially exploited works for consideration.
Applicants should select works that demonstrate their professional track record and experience in the music industry.
This requirement should be considered alongside the requirement to have at least five credited works registered with PRS for Music.
How to Apply
Applicants should prepare an application that clearly demonstrates their professional track record and explains how the grant will contribute to their development.
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
Check that you:
- Are UK-based.
- Are a songwriter or producer.
- Work in popular music.
- Have a professional track record.
- Have at least five credited works registered with PRS for Music.
- Are not signed to a major label or major publisher deal.
Step 2: Identify Your Development Needs
Determine what you need to move forward at your current career stage.
This could involve:
- More time to create.
- Training.
- Professional development.
- Studio access.
- Creative development.
- Childcare support.
- Equipment or software.
- Eligible international creative activity.
Step 3: Select Your Commercial Works
Include at least two commercially exploited works for consideration.
These should help demonstrate your existing professional experience.
Step 4: Prepare a Detailed Budget
Explain exactly how the requested £5,000–£10,000 will be spent.
If equipment or software is included, ensure that it represents no more than 25% of costs.
Step 5: Explain the Career Impact
Clearly describe how the funding will help you advance your creative and professional development.
The strongest applications should make a clear connection between the requested activities and the applicant’s future career development.
How to Prepare a Strong Application
A strong application should focus on the applicant’s career stage, development needs, creative goals, and expected outcomes.
Applicants should clearly explain:
- Their professional background as a songwriter or producer.
- Their previous professional track record.
- Their registered and commercially exploited works.
- Why funding is needed at this particular stage of their career.
- What activities the grant will support.
- How the activities will improve their creative or professional skills.
- How the funding will contribute to the creation of new music.
- How the opportunity can support a sustainable career.
- How the requested budget has been calculated.
- What they expect to achieve as a result of the funding.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Requesting Funding for Ineligible Activities
Do not include car or van purchases, international touring, studio construction, capital projects, or support for a roster of artists.
Exceeding the Equipment Limit
Equipment and software can account for a maximum of 25% of costs.
Ignoring Existing Deals
Projects already covered by existing label or publisher agreements are not eligible.
Failing to Demonstrate Professional Experience
Applicants need a previous professional track record and at least five credited works registered with PRS for Music.
Not Including Commercially Exploited Works
At least two commercially exploited works must be included for consideration.
Being Unclear About Career Development
The application should explain exactly how the funding will help the songwriter or producer progress creatively and professionally.
Why the Hitmaker Fund Matters
Songwriters and producers play a central role in the music industry, but their work often happens behind the scenes.
Career development can require significant investment in:
- Creative time.
- Studio access.
- Professional training.
- New production skills.
- Technology.
- Career development.
- Personal circumstances such as childcare.
The Hitmaker Fund provides financial support at crucial career stages so talented creators can continue developing their skills and creating new music.
Key Facts
- Fund: Hitmaker Fund.
- Location: United Kingdom.
- Target applicants: UK-based songwriters and producers.
- Music focus: Popular music genres.
- Grant amount: £5,000–£10,000.
- Professional experience: Previous professional track record required.
- PRS requirement: At least 5 credited works registered with PRS for Music.
- Commercial works: At least 2 commercially exploited works required for consideration.
- Major label deal: Applicants must not be signed to a major label deal.
- Major publisher deal: Applicants must not be signed to a major publisher deal.
- Application route: Direct application or through an eligible representative.
- Representatives: Managers, music publishers, lawyers, and trusted advisors.
- Equipment/software: Eligible up to 25% of costs.
- Creative time: Eligible.
- Training: Eligible.
- Studio hire: Eligible.
- Creative/professional development: Eligible.
- Maternity leave: Eligible.
- Childcare: Eligible.
- International creative activity: May be eligible where it benefits creative development.
- International touring: Not eligible.
- Car/van purchases: Not eligible.
- Studio construction: Not eligible.
- Roster support: Not eligible.
- Capital projects: Not eligible.
- Existing label/publisher-funded projects: Not eligible.
FAQs
What is the Hitmaker Fund?
The Hitmaker Fund provides financial support to UK-based songwriters and producers working in popular music genres to help them develop their creative and professional careers.
How much funding can songwriters and producers receive?
Eligible applicants can apply for grants between £5,000 and £10,000.
Who can apply for the Hitmaker Fund?
UK-based songwriters and producers with a previous professional track record can apply. Applicants must also have at least five credited works registered with PRS for Music and must not be signed to a major label or major publisher deal.
Can a manager or music publisher submit the application?
Yes. Applications can be made by the songwriter or producer directly or by representatives such as managers, music publishers, lawyers, or trusted advisors.
Can the grant pay for equipment or software?
Yes, but equipment and software can account for no more than 25% of costs.
Can the funding support childcare or maternity leave?
Yes. Maternity leave and childcare are among the activities that can be supported by the fund.
What activities are not eligible?
The fund does not support van or car purchases, international touring, support for a roster of artists, projects covered by existing label or publisher deals, capital projects, or building a studio.
Conclusion
The Hitmaker Fund offers £5,000 to £10,000 in grants to UK-based songwriters and producers working in popular music. The funding is designed to help behind-the-scenes music creators develop their skills, create new music, and build sustainable professional careers.
Eligible applicants need a professional track record, at least five credited works registered with PRS for Music, and at least two commercially exploited works for consideration. Funding can support creative time, training, studio hire, professional development, childcare, maternity leave, and other eligible activities.
For songwriters and producers at an important stage in their careers, the Hitmaker Fund can provide targeted financial support to help overcome development barriers and invest in their long-term creative and professional growth.
For more information, visit PRS Foundation.