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GRANT ROUND 11 OPENS! Continuo Foundation invites UK-wide applications for its 11th round of funding for Early Music projects
- Continuo Foundation
- Jan 8
- 3 min read
8 January 2026
£100,000 available for Early Music projects taking place 1 May to 30 Nov 2026
Grants ranging from £2,000 to £6,000
New additional £6,000 grant in partnership with The Purcell Society
Dedicated eligibility category for emerging ensembles formed since 2020
Grant decisions to be announced by Thursday 19 March 2026
Continuo Foundation has opened applications for its eleventh grant round, making £100,000 available to support Early Music concerts, tours, recordings and other creative projects across the UK. The new round ushers in the fifth year of the Awards programme.
Round 11 grant awards will support projects taking place between 1 May and 30 November 2026, providing ensembles with the inspiration, funds, and confidence needed to plan and deliver ambitious work. Continuo’s grants aim to bring high-quality Early Music to communities across the UK – particularly in areas with limited provision in classical music – opening access to hundreds of years of music heritage while strengthening the Early Music sector for the future.
All UK-based professional period-instrument ensembles with three or more instrumentalists are eligible to apply. Pursuant to Continuo’s evaluation framework, project proposals will be assessed based on artistic quality, audience reach, and long-term impact. As in previous rounds, there will be a dedicated category for emerging groups, formed since 2020, reflecting Continuo’s commitment to supporting the next generation of performers.
Partnership with The Purcell Society
In Round 11, an additional £6,000 grant will be offered in partnership with The Purcell Society in celebration of its 150th anniversary.
Supported by the Purcell Society Trust, the grant will fund one or more performance or recording projects exclusively or predominantly featuring the music of Henry Purcell. Selected projects must take place in 2026 and will use the Society’s authoritative editions for works it publishes. Any hire and performance costs associated with the use of these editions will be met by The Purcell Society in addition to the grant award.
Applications will be assessed through Continuo Foundation’s two-stage evaluation process, with final decisions made by the Foundation’s Trustees in consultation with The Purcell Society.
Tina Vadaneaux, Founder and CEO of Continuo Foundation, comments:
‘Over the past five years, Continuo Foundation Awards have become a vital source of support for early music performers at all stages of their careers. We are delighted to be offering another £100,000, thanks to the ongoing generosity of our donors, and are excited to be partnering with The Purcell Society in its landmark anniversary year to support imaginative new projects focusing on Henry Purcell’s music.’
Dr Alan Howard, Chair of The Purcell Society, adds:
‘This collaboration offers a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Purcell’s legacy by supporting today’s performers as they bring his music to life for modern audiences. We are grateful to be able to benefit from Continuo Foundation’s expertise in selecting an outstanding project that combines scholarship, creativity and performance.’
Full details, including eligibility and selection criteria, and required forms (grant application and budget template), are available on the Continuo Foundation website: continuofoundation.co.uk
About Continuo
Established in 2020, Continuo Foundation supports both established and emerging talent in the Early Music sector with annual awards totalling £200,000 through two rounds of project grants, awarded on a selective basis. Continuo has invested over £1 million in the sector, benefiting over 1,000 musicians and reaching more than 350,000 audiences across the UK and online.
Alongside its project funding, Continuo runs ContinuoConnect.com, a website offering UK-wide concert listings alongside artist profiles, exclusive articles and interviews, news and curated playlists. The Continuo Connect website and fortnightly newsletter are vital promotion tools for the artists, festivals and venues with profiles on the website, while providing audiences easy access to comprehensive information on the UK Early Music scene - all made available free of charge.
Continuo is led by its Founder and CEO, Tina Vadaneaux, and a team of experienced professionals from business, digital, marketing, classical music, law and academia. Continuo’s Patrons (Mary Bevan MBE, Dame Emma Kirkby, Rachel Podger and Ashley Solomon), CEO, expert Advisory Panel members and Trustees all give their time pro bono. The Foundation raises funds from private individuals, trusts and foundations, and corporate donors.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS WHO HAVE
MADE THIS NEW ROUND OF GRANTS POSSIBLE.
Photo credit: Daniel Meikle | Chelys Consort at Banbury Festival, a concert supported by a grant from Continuo Foundation
