Innovate 2025-26 *Apply now*

Are you a creative innovator or trail-blazing organisation working with children and young people? Do you have a spark of an idea and need funding and support in realising your ambition? Then Innovate is for you! 

Innovate is Sound Connections’ annual grant programme, offering up to £2,000 to individuals and organisations (with annual turnover under £150k) to test new music ideas with young people aged 0–25 across England. 

Deadline to apply – 9am, Monday 21 July 2025. 

Along with funding, you’ll receive: 

• Mentoring and Support – each grantee will have the opportunity to receive support and mentoring from Sound Connections staff and/or associates through 1:1 conversations.  

• Free tickets for Sound Connections training and networking events across the 2025-26 academic year. Events will explore topics including Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), Youth Voice, Social Justice and Early Years. 

We welcome projects that: 

• Try out new or creative approaches 

• Reach young people who usually miss out 

• Share learning that can benefit the wider sector 

Priority will be given to projects in Levelling Up for Culture Places and Priority Places as defined by Arts Council England. 

Projects must run between 1 September 2025 and 31 March 2026. 

Apply by 9am, Monday 21 July 2025. 

To find out more, please download the Innovate Guidelines found here. 

Innovate 2024-25: Project case studies

Learn about the projects we supported from 2024-25 here.