Seed funding to get your Accessible Instrument Designs off the ground!
We are thrilled to announce that applications are now open for our second round of funding grants to support the creation of new accessible musical instruments!
Skip to information in alternative formats (text only, large print, Easy Read, Audio and BSL)
About the Seed Funding
At DMLab we are proud to have supported several new accessible instrument designs that help to overcome barriers faced by Disabled musicians.
We want to continue supporting makers with ideas for new accessible devices. We are therefore offering two seed funding grants of £1,000 each to support the development of brand new accessible musical instruments!
This is an incredible chance for innovators and makers to get your ideas off the ground and create something new to showcase at our future DMLab events.
Who Can Apply?
We welcome applications from all creative minds, whether you’re an individual maker or part of a team. It doesn’t matter if you’re a Disabled or Non-Disabled musician, an instrument maker, or a developer – your ideas are invaluable to us. We are specifically seeking Expressions of Interest from those with innovative concepts aimed at addressing specific access requirements for yourself or others. This opportunity is open to people based in England.
Looking for inspiration?
Check out the links below:
Last year’s successful Grantees presenting their instruments at DMLab London
Previous news about instruments and projects we’ve been involved with
Information about our accessible musical instrument collection
How to Apply
To register your interest, simply complete the short Expression of Interest form. Please also complete our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion survey on Microsoft Forms, with confirmation that you have completed it in your application email. We welcome applications from people from underrepresented backgrounds and communities, the global majority, women, and LGBTQIA+. We aim to make this opportunity intersectionally inclusive.
You can also submit answers in audio or video format if that is more accessible for you.
The deadline for submitting your Expression of Interest is Sunday 1st September 2024.
If you have any questions about this opportunity or require support to make an application, please email Deborah Borg Brincat at info@drakemusic.org.
We are looking forward to receiving your applications and supporting your creative journey to make music more inclusive and accessible for everyone.
Alternative Formats
You can find the application documents in different formats below
Microsoft form:
Fill in the Expression of Interest using Microsoft forms
Text Only (docx)
Information Pack (Text Only) | Expression of Interest Form (Text Only)
Large Text (docx)
Information Pack (Large Text) | Expression of Interest Form (Large Text)
Easy Read (pdf)
Information Pack (Easy Read) | Expression of Interest Form (Easy Read)
Audio (SoundCloud)
BSL (YouTube)
About DMLab
DMLab is a project for Disabled and Non-Disabled musicians, technologists, and makers to come together and explore accessible music making. We hold regular meetups and events to help build more inclusive music making opportunities.
DMLab London is supported by the City of London Corporation’s charitable funder, City Bridge Foundation and public funding from Arts Council England.
