PYST Music Fund: Guidelines

 

1. About the Fund

 

This is a new pilot fund dedicated to sustaining and developing grassroots Welsh music activity. Offering support to labels, organizations and individuals currently working with Welsh music, the pilot will also seek to support wider engagement and participation on a community level. The Welsh music scene is flourishing, and this pilot fund will aim to underpin that growth by supporting projects that will offer long-term resilience to Welsh music activity.

 

2. Fund Eligibility

 

2.1 Applicant Eligibility

We will welcome applications from established labels and organizations currently working within the Welsh music eco-system. We will also accept collaborative applications involving partnerships between more than one organization. You must have been trading for at least 12 months to apply. You do not have to be currently distributed by PYST to apply for the fund.

 

The following are ineligible for this fund:

• Organizations that have received and/or currently receive, funding from the Creative Wales Music Revenue Fund 2 (MRF2).
• Organizations whose core activity is not music-based.
• Artists.
• Organizations or individuals who are not based in Wales.
• New start-ups.
• Organization primarily working in classical music.
• Organizations that have been trading for less than 12 months.

 

Please note: artists are not eligible to apply for this fund.

 

You do not have to employ staff to be eligible to apply for this fund, but if you do, they must be paid via the PAYE system (excluding freelancers):

 

1. Sole Traders:

 

• You must pay new employees related to this application via PAYE
• If you only employ 1 person, this must be paid via PAYE

 

1. Limited Company:

 

• Employing between 1 and 249 employees via PAYE as of 1st April 2024;
• If you only employ 1 person this can be the business owner, but they must be paid via PAYE

 

Please note: we can only accept one application per organization.

 

2.2 Eligible Activity

Your project might include one, more than one or a combination of activities, for example:

 

• Record release campaigns (including but not limited to recording)
• Videos and films (but not single-track music videos)
• Workshops
• Blog/Magazine activity
• Research
• Podcasts/Radio
• Networking events (including conferences).

 

Please note: the project’s activity can be in any language.

 

2.3 Ineligible Expenditure

• Capital expenditure, including but not limited to: musical equipment, websites, buildings
• Live performance events including gigs and festivals
• Financial support for touring artists
• The writing, publication and promotion of books
• Band merchandise

 

3. Timeline of Fund

 

August 13^th, 2025

Applications open

 

September 3^rd 2025

Closing Date for Applications

 

Mid September 2025

Grant letters delivered to successful applicants detailing the fund’s terms and conditions, timeline and individual project outputs. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified with reasons for rejection.

 

October 1^st 2025 – March 31^st 2026

Project delivery

 

January 2026

Update meeting between PYST Cyf and project lead

 

March 20^th 2026

Delivery deadline for final Project and Financial reports

 

April 30^th 2026

Delivery deadline for Project Evaluation Reports

 

4. Application Process

 

The application window is open from 13/08/25 to 03/09/25. You can apply via the application form here. You can also apply via video or audio – please contact alun@pyst.net for more information regarding this matter.

 

Alongside questions regarding demographic data and applicant details, the following questions are included in the application form:

 

1. Title of project
2. Tell us about your project (up to 500 words).
3. Tell us more about your experience and history (up to 300 words).
4. Who will benefit from the project? Please provide details of those you think will take part (up to 300 words)
5. Who will manage the project?
6. How will you ensure the project will be completed within the timeframe and will make the best use of public money? (up to 300 words)
7. Is it possible to adjust the plan if less money than the requested sum is offered?
8. State any possible risks that might impede the project’s delivery (up to 200 words)
9. What do you hope the long-term impact of this project will be? Will it change your way of working? Will the activities, or elements of the activities, be able to continue? (up to 300 words)
10. Project end date.
11. What is your project’s total budget?
12. Provide a breakdown of the expenditure.

 

Please note: all applications must be accompanied by a letter of support, last set of accounts and proof of bank account.

 

 

5. Application Selection Process

 

A selection panel comprised of independent panellists and chaired by the Chief Executive of PYST, will meet in September to consider all applications. Selection will be made using the following appraisal criteria:

 

• Which community(s) will benefit from the project?
• How many artists will benefit from the project?
• How many opportunities will be created?
• Strength and history of applicants.
• Assessment of project’s risk.
• Resilience and long-term impact of project
• Impact on Welsh language
• Equality and inclusion of project.
• Environmental impact.

 

6. Payment

 

• The maximum amount that can be applied for is £5,000.
• PYST Cyf reserves the right to offer less than the amount requested in your application.
• If the project budget includes staff costs, we will need confirmation of PAYE for all staff, unless freelance.
• 50% of payment can be claimed in arrears mid-way through project upon receipt of proof of expenditure.
• Final payment will be issued within 28 days of your project’s final Project and Financial Report.
• You must provide proof in your final Claim that all expenditure occurred between October 1^st 2025 – March 31^st

 

If you have any questions about the fund, please contact alun@pyst.net.