Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton announces €100,000 in music education grants
- Foilsithe: 16 Márta 2026
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 16 Márta 2026
Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton TD today (Monday 16 March 2026) announced the opening of applications for grants from a total fund of €100,000 for organisations delivering non-mainstream music education.
The grants allow organisations with limited or no access to other forms of public funding to pay for music classes, instruments and other equipment outside of school settings.
The Non-Mainstream Music Education Bursary Scheme has helped children’s choirs, concert bands, brass bands, folk orchestras, uileann piper groups and more. It is targeted at smaller organisations involved in non-mainstream music education and community music initiatives who cater for socio-economically disadvantaged groups.
Minister Naughton said:
“It is vital that we provide our children and young learners with every opportunity to express themselves and show their creativity. Music education is one of the many holistic ways in which we can support children and young people in our communities to achieve their full potential.
“Today I am announcing a total grant fund of €100,000 which will enable organisations to continue to make non-mainstream music classes available to children and young people in out-of-school settings in their communities so they can have the chance to express themselves and explore their creativity while developing new skills.”
Interested and eligible organisations are invited to make their applications for grant funding under the Non-Mainstream Music Education Bursary Scheme 2026 by 5pm on 6 April 2026.
Click here for the application form. Applicants must download the application form, complete all sections, save and send by email to nmmebs@education.gov.ie.
Organisations must submit their application by 5pm on 6 April 2026 in order to have it considered for the grant funding by the Committee for Non-Mainstream Department of Education and Youth funded Music Education.
Contact Information
Department of Education and Youth Press Office
press@education.gov.ie
Notes to editors
Criteria for selection of Applications
Applications will be considered from organisations/groups that display the following:
- A well-established track record in non-mainstream music education provision.
- Service provision in the area of non-mainstream music education/community music.
- Delivery of non-mainstream music education for young people aged 18 years and younger.
- Strong learning outcomes for participants.
Preference will be given to those organisations/groups that can demonstrate that they cater for socio-economically disadvantaged groups. Preference may also be given to organisations/groups that are eligible and may not have received funding from this initiative previously. The grant amounts from the €100,000 fund can vary depending on the number of eligible applications and the number of children and young people supported by the applicant organisation.
The selection of proposals will also be informed by a desire for:
- Geographic national spread, where possible
- A range of music genres
- A balance of practical and theoretical approaches
Ineligible groups
Funding will only be provided for non-mainstream music education initiatives outside of normal school hours and school curriculum.
The following categories of organisations are ineligible to apply:
- For-profit companies, schools and other educational institutions
- Music Education Partnerships in receipt of Music Generation funding at time of application
- Individuals under the age of 18
- Professional performing groups