Grants of up to £10,000 are available to songwriters and writer-producers, in a bid to support them in reaching to the next stage of their careers; thanks to a new fund being supported by British songwriter Carla Marie Williams and managed by the Performing Right Society (PRS) Foundation (PRS) and the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers & Authors (BASCA) Trust.

Grants can support a number of different creative and professional development activities including recording, musician fees, attendance of songwriter camps and sessions, training/skills courses and maternity/child care costs for those involved with popular music genres.

Harlesden-raised Williams was discovered at 18 and has since proved an inspiration, sharing her journey with The Voice, BBC and The Fader to name a few. The writer has penned hits for the likes of Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, Craig David, Girls Aloud, Alesha Dixon, The Saturdays, Naughty Boy and Roll Deep.

PRS Foundation and the BASCA Trust have initiated this fund in response to the fact that songwriters and writer-producers have not benefited from dedicated grants or major funding programmes of this kind in spite of their role at the centre of the music industry creating the content which drives its success. This new fund recognises the importance of songwriters and writer-producers and aims to support the most talented songwriters and writer-producers to realise their potential.

PRS Foundation’s Writer Producer fund is open to UK-based ‘behind the scenes’ songwriters and writer-producers that have had at least three commercially exploited works, whether performed live, received media coverage or radio play, or released via commercial channels.

Williams says:

“I’m so delighted the Writer Producer Fund has been created.

“As a professional songwriter of 10 years, I can seriously say The Writer Producer Fund will most definitely be a crucial new resource for songwriters wanting to invest in themselves and create new opportunities for their careers, whilst maintaining momentum.

“The fund will inspire and motivate a community of songwriters and will hopefully help to increase UK songwriters success worldwide! Exciting times!”

Vanessa Reed, CEO at PRS Foundation said:

“I look forward to seeing who applies over the next few months and to working with our friends at the BASCA Trust on maximising the reach of this important resource.”

Vick Bain, CEO of BASCA and a trustee of the BASCA Trust said:

“The culture of music is always changing. I am very excited about this scheme which will reach out to communities of music creators who are not necessarily performers; and perhaps have not been able to access such extensive support before.”

Glenn Sargeant

(Many thanks to Dawbell PR for help with this announcement)