Minister Foley announces grants for organisations delivering music education
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From: Department of Education
- Published on: 24 March 2023
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
Minister for Education Norma Foley today announced the opening of applications for grants under the Non-Mainstream Music Education Bursary Scheme 2023.
Minister Foley said:
“It is said that music is the breath of life, and today’s announcement will provide funding for various group activities such as group music classes to take place in the community.
“It is vital that we provide our children and young learners with as many opportunities as possible to express themselves and show their creativity.
“I strongly believe that this grant can enhance, empower and enable community organisations to continue providing music tuition and classes for the remainder of the year.”
The purpose of the scheme is to provide support by way of a cash grant, to established, smaller-scale, non-mainstream music education/community music initiatives with limited or no access to other forms of public funding. Grants can be used to purchase instruments, other equipment and tuition. Grants are not intended for use on capital expenditure such as structural or building costs. The total budget available in 2023 is €100,000.
Interested parties can find the application form on the department’s website at the following link: gov.ie - Non-Mainstream Music Education Bursary Scheme (www.gov.ie). ]
Applications will be considered by the Committee for Non-Mainstream Department of Education funded Music Education.
Please download and ‘save as’ the application form to your own computer, type and complete all of the sections. Applications must be submitted as an attachment by email only to the following email address: nmmebs@education.gov.ie
Closing date for applications for 2023 is 21 April 2023.
Notes
Criteria for selection of applications
Applications will be considered from organisations/groups that display the following:
- a well-established track record in music education provision
- service provision in the area of non-mainstream music education/community music
- delivery of non-mainstream music education for young people aged 18 years and younger
- strong learning outcomes for participants
Preference will be given to those organisations/groups that can demonstrate that they cater for socio-economically disadvantaged groups. Preference may also be given to organisations/groups that are eligible and may not have received funding from this initiative previously.
The selection of proposals will also be informed by a desire for:
- geographic national spread, where possible
- a range of music genres
- a balance of practical and theoretical approaches
Ineligible groups
Funding will only be provided for non-mainstream music education initiatives outside of normal school hours and school curriculum.
The following categories of organisations are ineligible to apply:
- for-profit companies, schools and other educational institutions
- Music Education Partnerships in receipt of Music Generation funding at time of application
- individuals under the age of 18
- professional performing groups