Applications are now open for In Motion 2026, our transformative artist development programme for composers and music creators.
Over 18 months (April 2026–October 2027), In Motion supports composers to design and embark on the next chapter of their creative and professional journey, providing the space, personalised support and funding to realise their ambitions. Built on our expertise and position in the sector, the programme is shaped directly in response to the needs and strengths of the artists we work with to help them make positive and lasting changes in their practice.
Throughout, you will develop your practice, confidence, resilience and creative identity, and explore new avenues and aspirations for your work. You will also have an opportunity to support and inspire the next generation of young composers on our In the Making programme.
What you’ll receive
As a composer on In Motion, you will receive:
- An artist bursary of £1,800
- A production grant of up to £4,000 to support your project or artistic development
- Regular 1:1 sessions with a dedicated Creative Programme Leader
- Sessions with an accredited coach
- An allowance to pay for mentoring sessions
- Group workshops, sharing sessions, and Networking Days with your cohort
Who we’re looking for
We are looking for UK-based composers and music creators working in any genre or discipline who want to take a step change in their artistic practice. You may be developing an area of work that’s new to you, exploring your creative processes more deeply, engaging new audiences, or working on a larger scale.
- In 2024, we received 355 applications and selected 10 composers for In Motion and 8 composers for the Seed Award.
- In 2025, we received 450 applications and selected 10 composers for In Motion and 8 composers for the Seed Award.
How does the application process work?
The application process is in two phases:
Phase 1
The first phase has three questions and is a public open call to any composers and music creators interested in being considered for the programme. We will assess applications in the first phase and invite a longlist of up to 40 applicants to progress onto the next phase.
In this first application, you will:
- submit your personal information, including your bio (750 characters)
- tell us a bit about where you are now (1,250 characters)
- tell us what step change you want to undertake (1,250 characters)
- tell us what will be different about your practice at the end of the programme (1,250 characters)
- share two links to examples of your work
Phase 2
If you are longlisted, we will invite you to submit answers to three more questions. The panel will then assess your responses across both phases and select a shortlist of 18 applicants to interview before we make a final selection.
Applicants who are invited for interviews after the second phase will either be offered a place on In Motion or the Seed Award.
We offer feedback to all applicants. Unsuccessful applicants in Phase 1 will receive limited feedback and generic reflections from the process, and any longlisted and unsuccessful applicants will receive detailed feedback.
Selection panel
Each year, we rotate the panel as part of our Fair Access Principles, and each application is reviewed by a combination of internal team members and external panellists. In Phase 1, each application is reviewed by a minimum of two panellists. Longlisted applications in Phase 2 are reviewed by a minimum of four panellists.
The selection panel for In Motion 2026 consists of Chisara Agor, Suk-Jun Kim, Sarah Lianne Lewis, Bróna McVittie, James Perry and Provhat Rahman.
How do I apply?
We are currently accepting applications to In Motion 2026. The deadline to receive applications is Monday 3 November 2025, 23:59 UTC.
The application form is also available to download in Large Print and Dyslexia Friendly format (.docx file).
Please ensure you read the programme details page and our Application Guidance document thoroughly before applying:
- Application Guidance document (.pdf)
- Application Guidance – Large Print and Dyslexia Friendly (.docx)
You can apply online (Airtable form) where you will have the option to submit answers either written directly into the form, or as a short video or audio. As part of our commitment to access support, we offer alternative ways of applying.
Please get in touch with Grace Bailey (Grace.Bailey@SoundandMusic.org) if you would like to discuss what reasonable adjustments we can make to the application process or would like to request the application materials or form in a different format.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to apply you must:
- Be over 18 years old at the point of applying
- Not be a student (full-time or part-time, in any subject, including PhDs) or planning to start studies between now and November 2027
- Have lived in the UK for the last two years
- Be planning to remain UK-resident with permission to stay until November 2027
- Be able to provide two recordings of your original compositions
- Not have previously received a Sound and Music award, grant, or commission
- Not currently be, or have previously been on one of our artist development programmes in the last six months
Access support
We want to ensure our programmes and processes as inclusive as possible to and accessible to as wide a range of applicants as we can. We offer access support both to support you with applying to the programme and, if selected, with participating in the programme activities
Important note: If you would like to arrange a session with an access support worker as part of your access needs, you need to let us know by Wednesday 15 October 2025 so we can contract our access support workers accordingly and ensure we can accommodate requests. If we receive a request for an access support worker after that date, we cannot guarantee we will be able to book a dedicated access support worker for this application round.
If you would like to inquire about or arrange access support with applying to In Motion, please contact Grace Bailey (Grace.Bailey@SoundandMusic.org).
Read more about our Access Support
Have questions?
We are hosting two information sessions open to all with information about the application process and the programme. If you would like to find out if this is the right programme for you or are interested in applying, we’d love to see you in one of the sessions below:
- Monday 13 October 2025 from 12:30–1:30pm (Online): Webinar open to all composers – Sign up for the open webinar here
- Tuesday 14 October 2025 from 12:30–1:30pm (Online): Open to composers identifying as d/Deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent – Sign up for the d/Deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent session here
Both sessions will be relaxed and include automated captions.
Key dates
- Monday 6 October 2025: Applications open
- Wednesday 15 October 2025: Deadline to request access support for applying to the programme
- Monday 3 November 2025, 23:59 GMT: Deadline to submit applications
- Wednesday 17 December 2025: We will let you know the outcome of your application. If your application is progressed, you will be invited to submit a second part to your application
- Monday 26 January 2026: Deadline to submit the second part of your application, if your application is progressed
- Monday 9 March 2026: We will let you know the outcome of the second application. If your application is progressed, you will be invited to do an interview with four members of the panel
- Monday 16–Tuesday 17 March 2026: Interviews for shortlisted applicants (online)
- Friday 20 March 2026: We will let you know the final outcome of your interview and application, and whether you are offered a place on In Motion or a Seed Award
- April / May 2026: In Motion 2026 induction takes place
With thanks to our partners and funders
Sound and Music is a PRS Foundation Talent Development Network Partner supported by PPL.
In Motion is made possible with the generous support of Arts Council England, PRS Foundation, Jerwood Foundation, Garrick Club Charitable Trust, Michael Guest Charitable Trust, Marchus Trust and Creative Scotland.
