Opportunities

Explore the latest opportunities from MusicFutures for artists, innovators and music businesses across the Liverpool City Region.

From funding and business support to skills, programmes and training, this page brings together all current ways to get involved, develop your ideas and grow your career or organisation in the music industry.

MusicFutures Music Innovation Fund

Call Opens: 12th May 2026 Call Deadline: 19th June 2026

For registered SMEs or CICs proposing breakthrough innovation in the music sector across the Liverpool City Region.

Funding category

Innovation Funding

Funding available

  • Up to £20,000 funding
  • Additional tailored support, to accelerate R&D, prototype development, testing, and deployment of innovative solutions.

Who it’s for

Registered SMEs or CICs that are proposing a music innovation with a clear route to real-world use, commercialisation, and sector impact. Projects must be fully defined and ready to start at application stage.

Project delivery

1st October 2026 – 31st March 2027

Location requirement

Applicants must be based in the Liverpool City Region.

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PhD Scholarship – Performers’ Rights, Personality, and AI

Call Deadline: 22nd June 2026

In partnership with University of Liverpool School of Law & Social Justice, MusicFutures is offering financial support to explore the intersection of intellectual property, personality rights, and emerging AI technologies.

Funding category

Scholarships

Funding available

  • Cover Fees (at UK home rate)
  • Annual Stipend (at UKRI rate)
  • Access to an annual personal conference allowance, in line with other Law PhD candidates within the department.

Who it’s for

For anyone interested in exploring the intersection of intellectual property, personality rights, and emerging AI technologies.

Project delivery

Start Date: October 2026

Location requirement

Liverpool City Region

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MA Scholarship – Immersive Media: Music, Immersive Technology & Creative Innovation

Call Deadline: 30th June 2026

In partnership with Liverpool John Moores University, MusicFutures is offering tuition fee support to explore the future of music, digital culture and immersive experience.

Funding category

Scholarships

Funding available

  • Tuition fees covered for one UK/Home student

Who it’s for

For anyone interested in exploring the future of music, digital culture and immersive experience.

Project delivery

September 2026 -September 2027

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PhD Studentship – Reimagining Music Venues: Spatial, Digital & Experiential Innovation in Live Music

Call Deadline: 10th July 2026

In partnership with University of Liverpool Department of Architecture, MusicFutures is offering full financial support to explore how technologies such as AI, real-time systems, and responsive digital environments can enable the development of new, imaginative, and economically impactful products, services, and experiences. By foregrounding innovation and scalability, the PhD will contribute to models of growth that support a more sustainable and future-facing music ecosystem.

Funding category

Scholarships

Funding available

  • Tax-free stipend of £21,805 p.a. (2026/27 UKRI rate)
  • Tuition fees (£5,238), £27,043 in total.

Who it’s for

For anyone interested in exploring how technologies such as AI, real-time systems, and responsive digital environments can enable the development of new, imaginative, and economically impactful products, services, and experiences.

Project delivery

Start Date: October 2026

Location requirement

Liverpool City Region

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PhD Studentship – Immersive Media, Digital Culture and Future Music Experiences

Call Deadline: 17th July 2026

Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) is seeking to appoint a full-time, funded PhD researcher within the Liverpool School of Art and Creative Industries (LSACI), commencing in September 2026. The PhD offers an opportunity to explore how immersive and emerging technologies may shape more inclusive, participatory and sustainable futures for music, creative practice and digital cultural experience.

Funding category

Scholarships

Funding available

  • Tax-free stipend of £21,805 p.a. (2026/27 UKRI rate)
  • Full tuition fees for three years
  • Additional research support/bench fee funding

Who it’s for

For anyone interested in exploring how immersive and emerging technologies may shape more inclusive, participatory and sustainable futures for music, creative practice and digital cultural experience.

Project delivery

Start Date: September 2026

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