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Applications for Future Talent programmes running September 2026-July 2027/28 are open now and will close on 24th April 2026.
To help you plan your application, please refer to the Application Guidelines. If you need further support, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
We offer three programmes for different stages of a young person's musical journey.
Alongside a place on a Future Talent programme, you may also be considered for a Named Award. You may indicate your interest for a Named Award on your application.
Follow our three steps to gain a place on a Future Talent programme.
Applications will open 25th February 2026. You may submit via online form or post. Our team of Relationship Managers can be contacted to offer any support. The application includes two recordings of the applicant playing on their primary instrument, and has questions on musical experience and aspirations. You should prepare a musical reference. Applicants are assessed and shortlisted for Part 2.
If you have been shortlisted by your Part 1 Application, you'll be asked to complete a financial application to assess your household income. Applicants must provide details of household income to confirm it is no more than £39,000 per annum. Extenuating circumstances are considered. Successful applicants to the Junior Programme are selected by applications Part 1 and 2 only.
Applicants to the Development and Senior Programmes will be invited to a live audition in June/July 2026. Locations are across the UK, previous venues include: Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and London. Zoom or video auditions can be arranged if necessary. Audition panels are comprised of local professional musicians. The audition will involve performing two short pieces and an informal discussion with the panel.
Are you thinking of applying? Check your eligibility and find out which programme is for you.
You are eligible if you are...
• 17 years old or under on 1st September 2026
• Have lived in the UK for a minimum of 3 years
• Have a household income totalling no more than £39,000 per annum. Extenuating circumstances are considered
With a place on a programme, you'll receive between £500-£2000 funding depending on your award. Financial support can be used on music-related costs, such as:
• Lessons
• Ensemble and course fees
• Exam and audition fees
• Instrument costs including purchase, hire, insurance, parts and repairs
• Sheet music
• Travel to musical opportunities (up to 20% of award total)
We run a series of events throughout the year for our young musicians, previous activities have included:
• Workshops
• Masterclasses
• Performance Opportunities
• One-to-one mentoring sessions with a professional musician
• Studio recordings
• Photography and filming
All young musicians on our programmes are individually assigned a Programme & Relationship Manager for tailored support. Programme & Relationship Managers are there throughout the week, and will manage the award spending for each young musician. Our Programme & Relationship Managers will offer catchups with young musicians and their families during the year.
If you have any questions which are not answered, please get in contact with us at applications@futuretalent.org
Applications for our 2025/26 programmes are open between 25th February 2026 - 24th April 2026 at midday.
You are eligible if you are from a household with income of £39,000 and under. Applicants must have lived in the UK for 3 years, and be 17 years old or under as of 1st September 2026. Applicants will be asked to provide details of household income to confirm it is no more than £39,000 per annum in the Financial Application.
Successful applicants of the initial application form (Part 1) will be asked to complete a financial application in May 2026. Applicants to the Junior Programme will receive results in June 2026, whilst applicants to the Development and Senior Programmes will be invited to an audition held in June and July 2026. Results will be announced in Late July/early August 2026.
The application process for a Named Award is the same as for a place on the programme. You can declare your interest for a Named Award in Application Form Part 1. Named Awards will then be offered based on both your application and audition.
We currently only support applicants who are under 18 at the start of their programme year. We suggest looking into other funding bodies, this list is a great place to start.
The application form will take around half an hour to complete, but there are items you should gather beforehand. To find out what you'll need before you start, read the application guidelines.
Extenuating circumstances for income are considered and can include increased income due to Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments. Applicants who earn over £39,000 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
We only fund one instrument per musician. This means that if you apply on piano, you cannot use our funding for flute lessons. Please select your primary instrument to apply with when completing Application Form Part 1.
Unfortunately we are unable to accept applications outside of the application window.
You can view our Frequently Asked Questions here.
Yes! We accept voice as an instrument on all of our programmes across all genres, including pop, jazz, classical and world music.
At Future Talent, we pride ourselves on fostering a community of likeminded musicians and their families. Find out what our community has to say about us.
There has been significant financial support, but just as importantly, musical support, with high quality masterclasses and opportunities to perform in exciting venues.
Not only that but to be part of Future Talent has truly meant being part of a family of young musicians and mentors with similar mindsets and similar goals - something that's hard to find in mainstream school.
We cannot recommend applying to Future Talent more highly! It supports the child and the parent equally and has a uniquely inclusive and kind approach!
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The support received from Future Talent has been and continues to be important.
It spans many aspects of the music world, from mentoring sessions, performance opportunities to access to industry professionals.
I believe that every project my two sons took part in has helped with the development and enhancement of their personal and musical skills, while having fun and creating new friendships.
Future Talent's work certainly contributes to the diversification of the music scene of tomorrow. This alone, for me, is a significant reason for applying!
It’s been a fantastic experience with Future Talent this year, and I’ve been privileged to receive the range of opportunities the programme has given me access to.
I think in particular the masterclasses and 1 to 1s have really stuck with me, making me think and reflect a lot on where I need improvement as a cellist, in technical, musical and performance-focused aspects, as well as making me think more carefully about my practice: how it is structured, how I divide my time, and how I prepare my solo repertoire.
I think the experience I’ve had on Future Talent will stick with me for a long time, and impact my playing far into the future. Thank you.
We can’t thank Future Talent enough for the support they gave our son. We are a family with 5 kids, and been going through a lot of hardship.
However, with the help from Future talent, equipment, lessons and encouragement, he’s grown into the amazing musician he is today. None of this would have been possible without Future Talent!
