Grant making policy

The principal areas in which the RVW Trust currently makes grants are:

  • Assistance to support the work of professional composers  (or those entering the profession) who have not yet achieved a broad national or international reputation. Supported composers should have British or Irish nationality, or have long term residence in the UK.
  • Assistance towards the performance and recording of music by neglected or currently unfashionable 20th and 21st century British/Irish composers, including performances by societies and at festivals.
  • Support for National organisations which promote public knowledge and appreciation of 20th and 21st century British music.
  • Occasional support for education projects connected with public performance of music which qualifies under the first two categories above. Education projects for children will only be considered for funding if the primary purpose is the performance of new or recent British music.
  • Support for postgraduate students of composition taking first masters degrees at British institutions.

The trust does not fund:

  • The furtherance or performance of the music of Ralph Vaughan Williams. Support for such projects may be supported by our sister charity the Vaughan Williams Charitable Trust .
  • Concerts, concert series or concert tours which do not include music by 20th and 21st century British composers.
  • Concerts for which income from box office receipts, together with support from other organisations, is forecast to amount to less than half of the estimated expenditure. 
  • Commission fees, unless more than one performance of the new work is scheduled.
  • Commissions purely for youth or children’s ensembles.
  • Musicals, rock or pop music, ethnic music, jazz or dance music or multi-media and theatrical events in which music is not the primary art-form.
  • Workshops with no planned public performance.
  • Organisations directly administered by local or other public authorities.
  • Managing agents and commercial promoters.
  • Vocal or instrumental tuition.
  • The making, purchase or repair of musical instruments, computer or multi-media equipment.
  • The construction or restoration of buildings.

Applicants should also bear in mind:

  • Concerts by university and conservatoire orchestras and ensembles will only be considered in the most exceptional circumstances.
  • With applications for support for the commissioning or performance of works by younger composers (ie those who have just graduated or are studying at post-graduate level), priority will be given to those whom the RVW Trust has already supported as students.
  • The trust will give grants for the relief of poverty among musicians but only in very exceptional circumstances. This reflects the Founder’s wishes, and the trustees’ belief that this purpose is on the whole adequately served by other organisations.

Before making an application for funding you must read the guidelines for applicants and complete the application cover sheet.

If you are still not sure if your project qualifies for consideration please telephone the administrator on 020 7223 3385 or contact us