Applications for our 2024 Instrument Purchase Grants are now open. If you may like this information in a different format, for accessibility reasons, please call us on 020 7287 0019 or use our online contact form by clicking this link, and we will do our best to help.

You can read about the 2023 recipients of our Instrument Purchase Grants here.

Every year, we are pleased to provide funding to young musicians who do not own an instrument suitable for their professional training. Unlike many schemes, this is not a loan: it is a grant that we do not expect to be repaid, as we recognise the many financial challenges that young musicians face. The fund was established some decades ago thanks to the Sir John Barbirolli Memorial Foundation, established in tribute to the renowned conductor and Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal recipient. While we are grateful to keep drawing on this fund to a modest degree for this purpose, we are increasingly grateful to RPS Members and a range of supporters whose kindness helps us to help more young musicians in this way.

“So many young players are hampered by poor quality instruments… it can be very demoralising. Being able to buy my own horn while still a student enabled me to fulfil my own potential. Thank you RPS for giving me really practical support when it mattered.” Angela Barnes, Second Horn, London Symphony Orchestra

Who is it open to?

Students of UK music colleges. Due to limited funding and the volume of applications we receive, grants are prioritised for first year undergraduates, set to enter their second year in Autumn 2024.

It is very rare for grants to be given to students at later stages of study and we can only consider such applications in truly exceptional cases fully explained by the college. Equally we can only consider applications for those due to enter their first undergraduate year where need for a new instrument is urgent and the quality of the candidate’s current instrument is already well known to the college, possibly by prior acquaintance through the college’s junior department.

What can I apply for?

Please note, priority is given to students needing to purchase a principal study instrument (for string instruments, this includes bows). Given the demand for these, it is only in exceptional cases that we can consider supporting the purchase of an auxiliary or second study instrument.

This year we aim to give a total of £16,000 in grants. Individual grants are usually in the region of a few hundred pounds and very rarely exceed £1,500. Students applying are asked to bear such figures in mind and only submit applications for instruments that they can afford with such a contribution from us and whatever other funds they can amass, and that are suitable to their needs at this stage in their development.

We regret applications for keyboard instruments cannot be considered.

How can I apply?

Rather than apply directly, all candidates must be nominated by their music college. Application forms are sent directly to UK music colleges annually in January, which they will then invite students to complete. If you are an eligible candidate, we recommend you talk to your Head of Faculty or the designated member of staff collating the applications. The closing date to apply is 11am on Friday 22 March 2024.

Eligible candidates and colleges should read the guidelines (which are also linked at the bottom of this page) before completing and submitting an application.

If you teach or work at a music college and would like to know who the representative at your organisation is who generally coordinates applications on behalf of your music college, we can let you know if you get in touch with us.

In brief, each application should include a form (completed by the student) and two references from the student’s instrumental teacher and Head of Faculty. The college must take the lead in collating and submitting applications. Due to limited funding, each college should put forward no more than four students for consideration. It is entirely at the discretion of each college how they invite or select applications from students to submit.

For information about the process, please read the guidelines and terms linked below.

How else might I find funds?

While we can only offer a very limited number of grants each year, we pleased to offer some further ideas and signposts for any musicians who may be seeking funds to buy themselves an instrument.