The fund is open to organisations, music creators and industry professionals that are based in the UK. It exists to help cover the costs of trips, enabling artists to connect with and to showcase to their potential next label, promoter, music supervisor, sync agents or potential future collaborators overseas.
Eligibility
In order to be eligible for support through the ISF, applicants will need to be able to demonstrate the following:
- Be based in the UK.
- Write and/or perform your own original music.
- Have been formally invited to perform or participate in real life or virtually at the following:
- At an international event, with a conference element, that is geared towards music industry professionals, rather than the general public.
- In an international songwriting camp which is geared towards international collaboration and creative and career progression. Please note we prioritise supporting songwriters at camps associated with international showcasing and conference events but welcome applications for one-off writing camps.
- At one of the named international events as part of our partnership with British Council (please see British Council Partnership FAQ on this page for further details).
- At a virtual showcase geared towards international export opportunities at a UK based event that has a clear international export focus and is geared towards non-UK international music industry professionals, rather than the general public.
- Have a strong profile in the UK or the territory you’re looking to export to (i.e. been featured in the national press/had airplay on national radio/toured nationally/had previous successful releases).
- Have a list of meetings with music industry executives (e.g. publishers, labels, agents, etc.) confirmed for when you are at your chosen showcase.
- Have a strong business case for attending this specific event (e.g. are you building upon prior success there, or following up on opportunities to grow your business in that particular country).
- Are in need of funding support and not in a situation where other companies can and should cover the relevant costs of your real life or virtual participation.
When can applications be done
ISF runs on a rolling deadline due to the high number of eligible showcases all around the world. As a rough guide, ISF experts consider applications two to three months before showcase events take place. While the processing of visas is entirely the responsibility of artists, it can take three months for some territories. For this reason, ISF prefers to receive applications 10 to 12 weeks prior to the event taking place and must receive applications at least eight weeks prior to the event taking place.
Applications can be done here.
View the original call here.
Watch the video below for more information on how to apply.
