RPS (Royal Philharmonic Society)

The Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS) is a UK-based music charity founded in 1813 that supports young classical musicians through grants and prizes. The RPS distributes up to £100,000 annually across multiple programs, including Instrument Purchase Grants for first-year music college students, Instrumental Prizes for violinists and brass players aged 18 to 30, the Isserlis Scholarship for studying abroad, and the RPS Conductors programme addressing inequality in conducting.

How RPS Grants and Scholarships Work

The RPS runs several distinct funding streams, each with its own eligibility criteria and application process.

RPS Instrumental Prizes

Three prizes are awarded annually to outstanding young musicians based in the UK:

• RPS Henderson Chamber Ensemble Award: £5,000 for UK-based chamber ensembles of 3 to 10 performers, with the majority of players aged 18 to 30. Any combination of string, wind, brass, keyboard, or percussion instruments.
• RPS Emily Anderson Violin Prize: £1,500 for an outstanding solo violinist. Open to candidates of any nationality based in the UK, aged 18 to 30.
• RPS Philip Jones Brass Prize: £1,500 for an individual brass player, or £2,500 for a brass ensemble of up to 5 players. Open to candidates of any nationality based in the UK, aged 18 to 30.

Applications for the 2026 RPS Instrumental Prizes close at 11am on Tuesday 6 October 2026. Applicants submit recent footage of their playing and answer brief questions. Shortlisted candidates are invited to a live audition scheduled for Sunday 29 November 2026.

RPS Instrument Purchase Grants

These grants (not loans) help young musicians in their first year at a UK music college buy an instrument suitable for their professional training. The fund was established through the Sir John Barbirolli Memorial Foundation. For 2026, the RPS aims to distribute a total of £12,000 in grants, with individual grants typically ranging from a few hundred pounds up to £1,000. Priority is given to first-year undergraduates needing a principal study instrument (including bows for string players). Applications must be submitted through the student's music college, not directly. The closing date is 11am on Friday 27 March 2026.

RPS Isserlis Scholarship

The Isserlis Scholarship supports classical instrumentalists and vocalists of any nationality, aged 15 to 25, who are permanently resident in the UK, to study abroad. This can include taking lessons from a specialist based overseas or enrolling in a course at an international music school or university. The scholarship provides funding for a life-changing opportunity to study in a different country.

RPS Conductors Programme

The RPS runs the UK's foremost initiative addressing inequality in conducting, helping exceptional underrepresented talents progress to the professional podium. Applications are not on a fixed schedule since courses depend on funding availability. Opportunities are advertised on the RPS website and social media.

Additional RPS Programs

• RPS Ambache Fund: Grants for UK-based performers, ensembles, venues, and festivals to program music by historic women composers.
• RPS Thea Musgrave Performance Grants: Newly piloted in 2025 to encourage UK programming of composer Thea Musgrave's music.
• RPS Gerald Moore Award: Presented biennially to exceptional piano accompanists (managed by RPS since 2022).
• RPS Philip Langridge Mentoring Scheme: Mentoring support for young performers.

Real-World Example

A 19-year-old violinist in their first year at the Royal Academy of Music needs a professional-grade violin bow but cannot afford one. Their Head of Faculty nominates them for an RPS Instrument Purchase Grant. The student receives a £800 grant toward the bow purchase. The grant is not repaid. The same student, now in their second year, could apply for the RPS Emily Anderson Violin Prize: they submit video footage of their playing, are shortlisted, attend the live audition in November 2026, and if selected, receive £1,500 to support their career development.

A brass quintet of five players aged 20 to 25, all based in the UK, could apply for the RPS Philip Jones Brass Prize. If selected as an ensemble, they receive £2,500 to further their career. A chamber ensemble of six players could apply for the Henderson Chamber Ensemble Award and receive £5,000.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

The RPS offers one of the few UK grant programs that does not require repayment. Most music funding in the UK comes in the form of loans or tuition waivers, but RPS Instrument Purchase Grants are outright gifts. If you are a first-year undergraduate at a UK music college and need a better instrument, talk to your Head of Faculty about nomination. Do not apply directly; the college must nominate you.

For performers aged 18 to 30, the Instrumental Prizes offer a direct application route with a clear process: submit footage, get shortlisted, attend an audition. The £1,500 to £5,000 awards can fund further study, instrument upgrades, or career development activities.

If you are a conductor from an underrepresented background, monitor the RPS website and social media for Conductors programme opportunities. There is no fixed application cycle, so checking regularly is the only way to catch announcements.

For young musicians aged 15 to 25 who want to study abroad, the Isserlis Scholarship covers the cost of international study that most UK grants will not fund. This is specifically for musicians permanently resident in the UK, regardless of nationality.

Related Opportunities

• ABRSM Scholarships for UK-based music students
• Music Schools Directory to find UK music colleges eligible for RPS Instrument Purchase Grants
• Music Scholarships Directory for the full list of UK and international funding opportunities
• Use our Streaming Royalty Calculator to estimate your earnings alongside grant income
• Visit the Royal Philharmonic Society website for full application guidelines and deadlines