SAMRO Bursaries are funding programs offered by the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) through its Corporate Social Investment (CSI) division. SAMRO provides micro-grants and bursaries to music creators who are Full or Associate SAMRO members, supporting the creation of new original music works and building music business skills. In 2026, SAMRO awarded 120 Music Creation Support Fund grants to members across South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, and Eswatini, bringing the total number of grant recipients to over 660 since the program's inception in 2021.
How SAMRO Bursaries Work
SAMRO CSI runs two main funding programs for music creators, both requiring SAMRO membership (Full or Associate tier).
Music Creation Support Fund (MCSF)
Launched in 2021 as a pilot project, the MCSF provides micro-grants to SAMRO members to contribute toward the creation of new and original music works. The fund supports costs related to recording, production, studio time, mixing, mastering, and featured artist fees. In 2026, SAMRO announced 120 recipients of the MCSF, a significant increase from earlier rounds. The program has supported over 660 grant recipients total since launch.
Applicants must be SAMRO Full or Associate members. The application process requires a project proposal outlining the music to be created, a budget, and supporting materials. Grants are awarded through a competitive selection process.
Music Business Skills Programme
This programme provides bursaries for SAMRO Full and Associate members to enroll in the Music Business Short Learning Course at Boston City Campus. The course covers music industry fundamentals including copyright, contracts, royalty collection, and business management. The bursary covers tuition costs for the short course.
Additional SAMRO CSI Programs
- Concerts SA: A joint South African/Norwegian live music development project housed within SAMRO's CSI division, supporting live music performance opportunities.
- SAMRO Music Archive: Holds over 100,000 music scores and serves as a resource for researchers and musicians, based in SAMRO's Johannesburg offices.
Real-World Example
A SAMRO Full member in Johannesburg applies for the 2026 MCSF to fund the recording of their debut album. They submit a project proposal with a budget of R50,000, outlining costs for studio time, a producer, mixing, and mastering. SAMRO awards a micro-grant that covers a portion of the budget. The member uses the grant to book studio time and hire a producer, then completes the album with additional self-funding. One 2026 recipient, ZAKWE, used MCSF funding to record an album with featured artists, proper studio production, and mixing.
A SAMRO Associate member in Botswana applies for the Music Business Skills Programme bursary. They are accepted into the Boston City Campus Music Business Short Learning Course with tuition fully covered by the bursary. The course teaches them how to navigate royalty collection, contract negotiation, and music publishing, skills they apply to their career as an independent composer.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
If you are a music creator in South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, or Eswatini, SAMRO membership is the gateway to these funding opportunities. You cannot apply for MCSF grants or Music Business Skills bursaries without being a SAMRO Full or Associate member.
Join SAMRO first. Membership is open to composers, lyricists, authors, and music publishers. Once you have Full or Associate membership status, you become eligible for CSI programs.
The MCSF micro-grant is specifically designed for creating new music, not for general living expenses or equipment purchases. When applying, focus your budget on concrete production costs: studio time, engineering, mixing, mastering, and featured artist fees. Do not try to stretch the grant across the entire project budget. As one 2026 recipient advised, pick one part of the project the fund needs to cover rather than trying to spread it thin.
The Music Business Skills Programme bursary is an opportunity to gain formal music business education at no cost. If you are self-managed and lack formal training in music industry practices, this course covers the fundamentals that independent artists need to protect their rights and maximize their income.
Eligibility Criteria
Both SAMRO CSI funding programs require SAMRO membership. There are two membership tiers that qualify.
Full members have earned enough royalty points as Associate Members to qualify for Full membership. Full members can be elected to the SAMRO Board.
Associate members must have notified musical works that earned at least R100 in royalties within the preceding three years (for composers and authors). Publishers must have earned at least R1,000 in royalties.
Prospective members are those whose applications were approved but who have not yet earned the minimum royalty threshold. Prospective members are not yet eligible for CSI programs.
To join SAMRO, you must be a composer, lyricist, author, or music publisher based in South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, or Eswatini. You must have created musical works or have works that are active (broadcast or performed publicly). A non-refundable application fee of R100 applies for composers and authors. Publishers pay R500.
If you receive an MCSF grant, you cannot apply again for the next three years.
Deadlines
SAMRO opens MCSF applications annually. The 2024 cycle opened in February 2024. The 2026 recipients were announced in May 2026. Check the SAMRO CSI page for the next application window. SAMRO does not publish fixed annual deadline dates. The organization announces each cycle through its website and social channels.
The Music Business Skills Programme runs alongside the Boston City Campus academic calendar. Check the SAMRO website for current bursary application dates.
Past Recipients
SAMRO publishes full recipient lists on its CSI page. The 2026 MCSF cycle awarded grants to 120 members. One named recipient, ZAKWE, described using the funding to record an album with featured artists, proper studio production, and mixing.
Since the MCSF launched in 2021, SAMRO has supported 660 members total. The program grew from 100 recipients in early rounds to 120 recipients starting in 2024.
SAMRO publishes the full list of recipients on its website at samro.org.za/csi/the-samro-music-creation-support-fund. The organization also shares recipient responses and testimonials on its LinkedIn page.
Award Amounts
Each MCSF recipient receives up to R25,000. The total fund allocation for 2026 was R3 million, distributed across 120 recipients. Since 2021, SAMRO has invested over R16.5 million in the MCSF program.
The Music Business Skills Programme bursary covers full tuition for the Music Business Short Learning Course at Boston City Campus. The course covers copyright, contracts, royalty collection, and business management.
Official Program Videos
The first video is a tutorial on registering with SAMRO. It walks through the online application process step by step, including the membership fee payment and document submission.
The second video is a podcast episode featuring Karabo Senna (General Manager: Licensing at SAMRO) and Lesego Maforah (SAMRO CSI Manager). They explain how the MCSF works, the R25,000 grant amount, the 120-recipient target, and the three-year waiting period between grants.
Application Process
- Join SAMRO. Visit samro.org.za and navigate to the Creator section. Click "Apply" and complete the online membership form. Pay the R100 application fee (composers and authors) or R500 (publishers).
- Submit required documents. Provide the SAMRO Member Application form, Notification of Works form, Deed of Assignment form, and a copy of your ID. SAMRO processes applications digitally.
- Earn royalties to reach Associate status. Your notified works must earn at least R100 in royalties within three years. Only Associate and Full members can apply for CSI programs.
- Watch for the MCSF application window. SAMRO announces each MCSF cycle on its website and social channels. Check the CSI page regularly for opening dates.
- Prepare your project proposal. Outline the music you will create. Specify whether it is an album, composition, or music video. Prepare a budget focused on production costs (studio time, mixing, mastering, featured artist fees).
- Submit your application. Apply through the SAMRO CSI portal when the window opens. Include your project proposal, budget, and supporting materials.
- Wait for selection. SAMRO awards grants through a competitive selection process. Recipients are announced on the SAMRO website and LinkedIn page.
- Use the grant within the project scope. Focus the funding on one part of your project rather than spreading it thin. If you receive a grant, you cannot apply again for three years.
For the Music Business Skills Programme, the process differs. SAMRO announces bursary openings alongside Boston City Campus course dates. Eligible members apply through the SAMRO CSI portal. Accepted members enroll in the short course with tuition fully covered.
Related Opportunities
- Music Scholarships Directory for other African and international funding opportunities
- Performing Rights Organizations Directory to learn about PROs in your region
- Music Schools Directory to find music education programs in Africa
- PRS Foundation Open Fund for UK-based music creators
- Help Musicians UK for UK musician support
- Use our Streaming Royalty Calculator to estimate your streaming earnings alongside grant income
- Visit the SAMRO CSI page for current application deadlines and guidelines
