Lesson 23 / 24 · 30–45 min · preparation time

Use support and funding at the right time

Support can be advice, training, collaboration or money. Funding is useful when it fits a defined project and its eligibility rules. A clear plan and accurate budget help you recognise the right opportunity and avoid spending days on an unsuitable application.

Work through it

1
Identify your current barrier: knowledge, time, money, contacts or a specialist decision. Name the smallest useful kind of help.
2
Check Help Musicians workshops and relevant professional advice. Membership organisations offer different services; confirm the benefit and access before paying.
3
If funding fits, read the live scheme guidance, eligibility and deadline. Check restrictions involving location, age, career stage, previous awards and full-time education. PRS Foundation provides funding; it is separate from PRS royalty membership.
4
For a suitable opportunity, gather a project summary, budget, dates, music links and the information requested. Keep unawarded funding outside your committed spending plan.

You are ready to move on when…

I know what kind of support would help most.Any funding option has passed an eligibility and timing check.

You can leave an application or outside reply pending. Record the next step before moving on.

Your working notes

Current barrier / support route / eligibility / deadline / information needed / next step

Resources for this task

Help Musicians: Business Skills Free workshops · dates and availability vary
PRS Foundation: Open Fund guidance Funding guidance · eligibility applies
PRS Foundation: current deadlines Live funding calendar · check before planning

Further reading · Passman chapter references

Optional reading · Passman, 11th edition. Chapters 2–6: identifying and choosing professional help.

Optional reading from the 11th edition (2023). No purchase needed. US legal context: use current UK sources for local procedures.

Lesson complete — I have done the work or recorded my next step.

Next: Make your next 90 days workable.

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