Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS)
Department for Business and Trade (DBT) · United Kingdom
MEGS provides match-funding grants to UK-based music companies to support international marketing and promotional campaigns for artists, helping them grow their global presence.
Summary
Deadline
30 Mar 2027
Complexity
Medium
Time to apply
20-60 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
MEGS provides match-funding grants to UK-based music companies to support international marketing and promotional campaigns for artists, helping them grow their global presence.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Business
Business size
SME, Large
Industries
Music, creative industries
Match funding
Required
Requirements
UK-based music businesses (typically management companies or record labels) meeting SME criteria UK-based music SME (<250 employees, turnover <€50m) representing UK-based artists; management company or record label. To support UK music SMEs in expanding internationally and securing new business opportunities in global markets
Eligible applicants
UK-based music businesses (typically management companies or record labels) meeting SME criteria
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Amount needs verification
Total fund available
Not specified
Funding intensity
Grant covers up to 50% of eligible project costs.
Payment type
Reimbursement
Eligible scope
To support UK music SMEs in expanding internationally and securing new business opportunities in global markets
Eligible expenses
- Marketing and promotional campaigns, PR, advertising, international showcases, tour support, media appearances, and market entry activities
Ineligible costs
- UK-based activity costs
- normal operating or running costs
Application and risks
Application platform
Online application form via scheme portal
Competitiveness
Competitive Selection
Decision timeline
Not specified
Assessment process
Applications reviewed by BPI and Department for Business & Trade, followed by panel assessment of shortlisted applicants
Application sections
Not specified
Application components
- Marketing plan
- evidence of UK success
- target market strategy
- budget
- company and artist details
- supporting documentation
Required documents
Not specified
Appendices
Not specified
Assessment criteria
- Commercial potential
- strength of marketing plan
- financial commitment
- expected business outputs such as sales, deals, and media coverage
Timeline and partners
Opening date
1 Dec 2025
Project duration
Verification Required
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Match-funding up to 50% eligible international marketing expenditure; no UK activity funded.
Consortium requirements
- Single applicant music business per artist/project.
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Funding Structure","value":"Grants typically range from £5,000 to £50,000; up to 50% of eligible expenditure"},{"label":"important notes","value":"Funding is tied to project ambition and outputs; only external project costs are eligible; no UK activity can be funded; applications are submitted during funding rounds"}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Open
- Deadline
- 30 Mar 2027
- Funding amount
- Amount needs verification
- Funding band
- Verification Required
- Funding type
- Match-funding grant
- Payment type
- Reimbursement
- Audience
- Business
- Industry
- Music, creative industries
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 1 Dec 2025