Mayor of London's Fund for Young Musicians

The Mayor of London's Fund for Young Musicians, trading as the London Music Fund, is an independent charity established in 2011 with the Mayor as Patron, dedicated to transforming under-served communities by providing disadvantaged children in Greater London with access to sustained, high-quality musical training and performance opportunities. Backed by UK music and education leaders, it addresses the decline in school music provision, guided by values of inclusivity, collaboration, excellence, and the belief in music's power for personal, social, and educational growth. Its distinctive approach emphasizes long-term support for talented young musicians from low-income or diverse backgrounds, partnering closely with borough Music Hubs and arts organizations.

The Fund prioritizes two programmes: multi-year Scholarships for children typically in Year 5 or younger at non-fee-paying schools across London's 32 boroughs, who show strong potential after at least one year of instrumental learning but face financial barriers—these include weekly tuition, ensembles, instruments, mentorship, and monitoring via Hubs; and Partnership Project grants for innovative group activities benefiting at least 10 young people aged 7-18 (especially 14-21), focusing on progression routes, live music with professionals, and filling local gaps outside schools or national portfolios. Since 2011, it has awarded over 1,000 scholarships (65% to Black, Asian, and ethnically diverse youth) and funded 100+ projects reaching 14,000+ participants.

Eligibility is restricted to London Music Hubs leading applications in collaboration with professional arts organizations; unsolicited proposals, individuals, or non-partners are not accepted. Projects must be Greater London-based (pilots in Liverpool/Birmingham in 2025), with preference for medium-sized entities capable of multi-partner delivery—no strict income thresholds, but grassroots groups need Hub partnerships. Typical grants range £10,000-£15,000 for new, time-limited projects only—no core costs, capital, unrestricted funding, or short-term activities. Applications require direct phone/email enquiry for forms, with the next Partnership Project deadline 5pm, 13 October 2025; decisions in 8-10 weeks, no rolling basis. What sets it apart is its scale of sustained, merit-based support bridging inequalities through deep infrastructure partnerships.