Funding

Deadlines

Grant application deadlines

VWF has three deadlines annually for general funding. The next deadlines are:

Thursday 1 May 2025 (for work taking place from August 2025 onwards)
Wednesday 3 September 2025
Monday 5 January 2026

Each funding round is for projects which will be delivered at least three months after that deadline.

Applicants will be contacted with the Trustees' decision 12 weeks after the deadline.

Vaughan Williams Postgraduate Scholarships:
Applications for 25/26 are now closed.
Applications for 26/27 will reopen in December 2025.

GRANTS

Supporting the work of professional composers

The Foundation offers funding towards: the performance, commissioning or recording of music by professional British/Irish composers active in the last 100 years; or projects and organisations in the UK which create developmental opportunities for composers, or which promote wider awareness of British/Irish music of the last 100 years.

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The work of Ralph and Ursula Vaughan Williams

The Foundation supports work which furthers the knowledge and understanding of the life and music of Ralph Vaughan Williams, and of the work of Ursula Vaughan Williams. This includes recordings and films, performances of lesser known repertoire, publishing and research projects and educational resources.

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Postgraduate funding

VW Scholarships are offered to exceptionally talented PhD and Masters students of composition at British universities or conservatoires who anticipate a career as a professional composer.

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I cannot stress enough how important this organisation's work is, what a profound difference it is making, and how it has enabled so many to develop creatively and give new work a platform. Vaughan Williams himself would surely be so proud of this legacy. 

ZOE MARTLEW, composer and cellist.

In 1956, with characteristic altruism, RVW ensured that all his future royalties would go to support the work of British composers, affirming that we should ‘give a welcome to all good work in whatever style or school’.

COLIN MATTHEWS, composer

Having this support has made so much difference, allowing me to really focus on my studies and dive into university life. My supervisor is such a brilliant teacher and I’m already learning so much.

POSTGRADUATE BURSARY RECIPIENT

Among his acts were countless kindnesses, known only to himself and the persons concerned. He gave continuous encouragement to younger men. He had the dignified humility of a great man, and was utterly un-self-seeking.

SIR ARTHUR BLISS, conductor

Music is the reaching out towards the utmost realities by means of ordered sound.

RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS 1954

NEWS

Vaughan Williams Scholarships

The Foundation has announced a new funding opportunity to PhD and Masters Students of Composition.

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RVW resources for Music Teachers

Teaching resources, on different aspects of the work of Ralph Vaughan Williams, have been made available completely free of charge by the Music Teachers’ Association.

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2024 Vaughan Williams Bursaries

Over the last 40 years 260 Vaughan Williams Bursaries have been awarded to help fund Masters Degrees in composition.

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Our first year

165 grants totalling over £350,000 were awarded by the Foundation in 2023 – our first year of operation. Grants were made to festivals; for composer career development; composer-led projects; recording projects; commissioning, student bursaries as well as projects celebrating the legacy of Ralph Vaughan Williams.

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