A limited number of grants of up to £15,000 (although awards are usually for less than £10,000) are available to small to medium sized UK charitable organisations, including social enterprises, for children and young people's instrumental music education.
Edinburgh-based, the Scops Arts Trust aims to widen access to the arts across the UK, particularly in the area of performing arts projects which will benefit all ages and sectors of the community. Project proposals should have a lasting cultural impact on the community.
As in 2025, the Trust’s 3 grant rounds in 2026 each have a separate theme. These are:
Round 1 (CLOSED) - local music festivals (children's performances are excluded) - opened on Tuesday 13 January and closed to applications on Tuesday 27 January 2026. Decisions were announced in April 2026.
Round 2 (CLOSED) - early career musicians focusing on performance opportunities - opened Tuesday 12 May with a deadline of Tuesday 26 May. Decisions were announced in August 2026.
Round 3 (CURRENTLY OPEN) - children and young people's instrumental music education (choirs are excluded). The application window opens on Tuesday 1 September with a deadline of Tuesday 15 September 2026. Decisions will be announced in December 2026.
The Trust is particularly keen to help small-to-medium-sized organisations, although large charities are not excluded from applying. Most of its grants support projects run by registered charities, but in exceptional circumstances it will consider applications from established community groups so long as they have clear charitable aims. The Trust awards one-off grants and may also consider multi-year funding. he majority of grants awarded are in support of projects, but contributions towards specific and restricted core costs of smaller organisations where a grant from the Scops Arts Trust could make an impact, will also be considered.
Grants can be for up to £15,000. However, most grant awards are for much lower amounts and usually for less than £10,000. Occasionally multi-year grants are made by the Trust. Music Education and Music Engagement Projects for Children can be supported in each of the Trust's funding rounds.
The application process is as follows
- Applicants should complete the Eligibility Quiz on the Scops Arts Trust website
- Eligible organisations that meet the criteria can then make a Stage 1 application
- A selected number of Stage 1 applicants will be invited to complete a Stage 2 Full Application online
The current, children and young people's themed grants round opens on Tuesday 1 September 2026 with a deadline for Stage 1 applications of 5pm on Tuesday 15 September 2026.