Awards for Young Musicians

Awards for Young Musicians, now trading as Young Sounds UK, was founded in 1998 to tackle the disparity between widespread musical talent and unequal access to opportunities, particularly for gifted young people under 18 from lower-income backgrounds facing financial hardship, disability, or social barriers. Shaped by patrons like Sir Simon Rattle, its mission centers on equity, diversity, and inclusion across all genres—from classical and jazz to rock, pop, and contemporary—through values of opportunity, potential, and evidence-led practice. It uniquely blends direct, tailored support for individuals with systemic interventions like research, advocacy, training, and policy influence to nurture talent nationwide.

The funder supports young instrumentalists, singers, composers, songwriters, and producers via the annual Thrive Awards, funding instruments, lessons, course fees, exam costs, transport, mentoring, workshops, masterclasses, performance opportunities, and collaborative events like Awards Days and Attune chamber music projects. At least a quarter of beneficiaries are from Global Majority backgrounds and over 10% disabled, emphasizing structurally marginalized groups while fostering confidence and professional exposure through partnerships with BBC Orchestras and conservatoires.

Eligible applicants are individual UK-resident young musicians under 18 demonstrating financial need; charities and organizations are not funded through open awards—referrals are encouraged via direct applications. No income thresholds apply to individuals. Grants range from £100 to £2,000 (typically £300–£1,000), with reapplications possible. Unsolicited online applications via Survey Monkey Apply open annually, next deadline 17 March 2025 at 5pm; decisions follow panel review within weeks. Distinctively flexible and responsive, it excludes non-musical activities, non-UK residents, and over-18s, standing out for its holistic, genre-spanning equity focus and high impact (over 90% of awardees report progress).