Are you a creative innovator or trail-blazing organisation working with children and young people? Do you have a spark of an idea and need funding and support in realising your ambition? Then Innovate is for you!
Innovate is Sound Connections’ small‑grants programme, offering four grants of £2,000 to individuals and grassroots organisations to pilot new music ideas with children and young people aged 0–25.
The programme is designed to support early‑stage, exploratory projects that test new approaches, reach new audiences or develop your practice. We’re particularly interested in projects that centre inclusion, participation and learning.
Deadline for applications – Monday 29 June 2026 at 9am.
What the programme offers
Successful applicants will receive:
- Up to £2,000 to support a new or innovative music project
- Support and mentoring from Sound Connections staff and associates
- Free access to Sound Connections training and networking events throughout the programme.
Projects should focus on learning and reflection as well as delivery. Grantees will be asked to share a short case study at the end of the project so learning can be shared across the sector. Find out more about some of the projects we’ve previously supported here.
Who can apply
Innovate is open to:
- Individuals and organisations working across England
- Applicants with an annual turnover under £150k
- Projects working with children and young people aged 0–25
Projects that work with underrepresented communities, test inclusive practice or explore new ways of working are especially encouraged.
To find out more, including eligibility criteria and application guidance, read more bellow.
Deadline for applications – Monday 29 June 2026 at 9am.
Download the guidelines here and the application form here.
Projects must take place between 1 September 2026 – 31 March 2027.
Thank you for your support as it has enabled us to produce a pilot project that empowered both the MMS and consequently the Hub to develop several strategic areas (e.g. youth voice, inclusive singing) and provide much needed help to schools in difficult times. It also provided MMS with the resource, space, and guidance to trial new forms of practice, to make mistakes and learn from them, which to me seems to sum up the meaning of the Innovate programme.
Music Making SENse (MMS) – Innovate Grantee 2021