Music Innovation Fund

What we can fund

We are seeking projects that push boundaries in how music is created, performed, distributed, monetised, or experienced; with intention to also impact on a) improving environmental sustainability and/or b) increasing diversity, inclusivity and equality in the sector.

This includes (but is not limited to):

New Business Models & Platforms

• Fan engagement or community platforms
• New ways of working with data
• New monetisation models (co-ops, creator economy tools, micropayments)
• Innovations supporting artist livelihoods and fairer value flows

New Production Technologies

• Realtime, interactive and virtual production for music content
• Spatial audio, adaptive music, immersive experiences
• Workflow automation and next-gen music production pipelines

Immersive & Interactive Experiences

• New immersive formats for live and digital music
• Multisensory installations, interactive concerts
• Location-based media and music-focused digital twins

Tools and Innovations for Live, Studio, or Education

• New hardware/software for recording or performance
• Innovations and tools supporting music education, skills, wellbeing and workforce development
• Accessibility innovations for artists, music professionals and audiences
• Human Centred AI-native tools for artists, performers, and producers
• Generative audio/video workflows, creative agents, recommendation systems
• Tools supporting rights, authenticity, provenance, ethics, or transparency

IP, Rights and Metadata

• Improving the way that metadata is created, managed, and used
• Tools supporting better ways of managing rights, authenticity, provenance, ethics, or transparency

If it pushes the future of music forward, it is in scope.

What We Can’t Fund

This funding is to support Innovation in music, unfortunately we cannot fund work that:

• Is production only (i.e. recording an album, doing a one-off show, content creation, marketing and advertising, day to day business operation costs). Where there is no clear R&D, innovation or development proposed.
• Is not clearly of significant benefit to the music sector.
• Events and one-off experiences. Your innovation needs to demonstrate potential for scalability and sustainability beyond the life of the funding.
• Music Education/Support/Skills programmes, however we are encouraging applications that are education centred i.e. new products and services.

Eligible applicants include:

• Registered SMEs or CICs.

Lead Applicants must also be:

• Based in or have significant presence in the Liverpool City Region.
• Proposing a music innovation with a clear route to real-world use, commercialisation, and sector impact.

Lead Organisation Requirements

The lead organisation must:

• Be a UK-registered business.
• Be a Liverpool City Region-based or have significant operations located in the region.
• Fall within Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA) limits.
• Be able to provide required co-investment.

Not eligible to lead:

• Publicly funded organisations, non-profits without commercial focus, charities, schools, colleges, or universities cannot lead applications. However, they may participate as partners if the lead organisation is an eligible company.
• A company may lead only one project but can partner on other applications.

• 20th April 2026 – Call opens
• Early May 2026 – Funding Call Q&A Webinar
• 8th June 2026 – Call Deadlines
• June 2026 – Assessment Period
• August/September 2026 – Decisions announced
• October 1^st 2026 – 31st March 2027 – Project delivery window

Applicants submit:

• An online application form
• Optional supporting materials such as pitch decks etc.

Application link: [insert link] Contact: [insert email]

Information sessions and briefings will be announced via MusicFutures media channels.

Assessment Process

• Eligibility Check
• Assessment by MusicFutures and independent sector specialists
• Clarification stage (if required, we may seek more information)
• Funding award

Important: Applications that do not comply with the rules or submit incomplete applications will not be assessed.

Support for Applicants

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is central to the MusicFutures programme. We aim to ensure applying and participating is accessible and inclusive.

Reasonable adjustments may include:

• Alternative submission formats
• Video or audio responses instead of written answers
• Accessible webinars with written/visual materials

Individual requests for adjustments will be supported wherever possible and equitable.

For full information of our funding calls including the assessment criteria, project requirements and more please follow the link here.