€1,000,000 has been confirmed for the 2026 Music Capital Scheme, which helps Irish musicians, groups and arts venues buy instruments and equipment.
The funding was confirmed last week by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport and is managed by Music Network.
Music Capital Scheme 2026 opens for applications.
The details: Applications are now open for Awards 1, 2 and 3 of the 2026 Music Capital Scheme. The deadline is Tuesday, December 15th at 2pm.
What’s the Scheme All About?
The Music Capital Scheme provides funding for the purchase of musical instruments and related equipment.
Established by the Arts Council in 2008, it’s funded by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport and managed by Music Network.
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In that time it has made 850 awards, giving over 70,000 people across the country access to instruments, from early-years players to mature musicians, including musicians with physical and intellectual disabilities.
That includes 430 performing groups, who have been able to buy instruments and expand their memberships, and 416 established and emerging professional musicians, who have advanced their careers with instruments the scheme made possible.
The Five Awards
The scheme has five awards, two of which were added in 2024.
Open for applications now:
- Award 1: €235,000 for non-professional performing groups.
- Awards 2 and 3: €175,000 (Award 2) and €90,000 (Award 3) for individual professional musicians.
Opening in the new year:
- Award 4: Quality string instruments on loan to emerging classical players.
- Award 5: Support for arts venues and music presenters to purchase or refurbish concert-standard grand pianos.
Who Has Benefitted Before?
Recipients in the last round of the scheme include:
- Groups: Galway Simon Community’s Music Project, Clogher Road Community College Band (Dublin) and St. John’s Pipe Band (Tralee).
- Individuals include: DJ John Gibbons, viola player Andreea Banciu, fiddle player Maeve Donnelly. Lemoncello’s Claire Kinsella, Hermitage Green drummer Dermot Sheehy, musician Alma Kelliher (Composer / Lux Alma), Jurgen Simpson (The Jimmy Cake / solo and collaborations), drummer Ruairí De Búrca (Ana Palindrome / Crying Loser, Tra Phaidin) and trad duo Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta.
Free Supports for Applicants
Music Network will provide a range of free supports between now and the deadline, with a particular focus on first-time and previously unsuccessful applicants:
- Online information sessions for organisations considering Award 1, and for individuals considering Awards 2 or 3.
- Online seminars on key topics in the application process, and a limited number of one-to-one consultation sessions.
- In-person information sessions in locations across the country.
Details of these and how to register are on the Music Network website. Music Network encourages individuals and groups from all backgrounds and communities to apply.
How to Apply
Guidelines and application forms for the open awards are at www.musicnetwork.ie. Enquiries can be sent to Sarah Ledwidge, Music Capital Scheme Manager, at [email protected].
Application deadline: Tuesday, December 15th, 2pm.
About Music Network
Music Network is Ireland’s national music touring and development organisation, founded by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon in 1986.
For 40 years it has been making high quality live music accessible to communities throughout Ireland and helping musicians to develop fulfilling careers. It delivers a broad range of programmes including a National Touring Programme, musician residencies both here and abroad, learning and participation projects, the Music Capital Scheme, commissioning, training programmes and other professional development supports for musicians.
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
