UK Rap Award with Tiffany Calver

Application period: Monday 24 November to Wednesday 7 January. Applicants will be notified of the result in March 2026.

The UK Rap Award, delivered in Partnership with Tiffany Calver, is a 12-month programme for musicians working within UK rap and its sub-genres. It offers more than just financial support — it provides all the tools you need to expand your music and grow your career.

Whether you’re developing your sound, expanding your live presence, or refining your business approach, this programme supports your long-term growth with tailored mentoring, peer collaboration, and up to £3,000 in funding to invest in your music projects.

We’re delighted to be delivering this award in partnership with Tiffany Calver.

By the age of 24, Tiffany had made history as the first woman to host BBC Radio 1’s Rap Show. Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in British music, she has earned recognition not only as a DJ and broadcaster but also as a curator, tastemaker, and advocate for the culture. Her impact has been celebrated with accolades such as Music Week’s Rising Star (2019) and DJ Mag’s Best Radio Show (2020).

In 2023, Tiffany debuted The Tiffany Calver Show, her all-new, multi-genre Friday night program on BBC Radio 1Xtra, marking the next phase in the evolution of one of British music’s defining voices. Alongside the show, she continues to run her No Requests record label and perform to sold-out crowds across the country.

Who is eligible to apply?

You must be a working musician and meet the following eligibility criteria:

Income: You’ve earned at least 40% of your income from music in the past two years (If you have a long-term health condition or disability, you only need to show some music income)
Age: 18 or over
Residency: Living in the UK, with the right to live and work here
Banking: You have a UK bank account
Savings: You don’t have more than £10,000 in savings or other funds that could cover your activity

You must also:

Be making music in an UK rap music genre (see below)
Be willing to commit to the activities and key dates within the programme
Be able to deliver your supported activities within 12 months
Have control over one or more aspects of your career, i.e., self-managing, self-releasing or self-producing

Full eligibility criteria

Who is this award for?

The UK Rap Award supports musicians working within the UK Rap genre, including its many sub-genres and associated creative roles.

Rap
Grime
Drill
Afroswing
Hip-Hop
Trap / Trapwave
Road Rap
Trip Hop
Britcore
Horrorcore

This award is also open to new or emerging sub-genres in UK Rap that may not be listed above.

Please note we will consider applications from producers and MCs alongside rappers.

If you’re unsure where your work fits, we still encourage you to apply if you feel it clearly sits within the wider rap genre.

What does this award include?

Up to £3,000 to fund your own music project
1‑to‑1 Business Advice with industry experts
Online meetups with awardees and guest speakers
One-day peer and industry mixer in London

This support is designed to help you make real progress in your music career — not just fund a single project.

What can I spend the funding on?

Your budget of up to £3,000 might go towards some of the following:

Your own time. For example, taking the time you need to create, undertake planning, promotion and other key activities — this should not make up more than 30% of your total budget
Expenses associated with your creative practice, e.g. contribution to per diems, travel, rehearsal space hire
Session musician and crew fees (e.g. stage manager, sound engineer, tour manager or lighting technician)
PR and marketing (including social media campaigns) — this should not make up more than 50% of your total budget
Content creation (e.g. video, audio, promotional photography, artwork and design)
Recording (studio hire, engineering, mixing, mastering)
Travel and accommodation for live and touring opportunities
Performance related equipment* (e.g. speakers, amplifiers, headsets, microphones, projectors, breakables)
Visas and carnets — this should not make up more than 50% of your total budget
Merchandise design, production and distribution
Musical equipment or software/hardware to produce, collaborate or distribute*
Event costs including venue, promotion etc.
Courses, mentoring and coaching opportunities
Registration fees for conferences relevant to your career progression

*Equipment costs should not make up any more than 50% of your budget. Please note we are unable to fund the purchase of musical instruments, including laptops

Here is what we can’t currently support:

Activities that take place within 14 weeks of a submitted application
Formal courses of study, training or research (e.g. undergraduate or postgraduate study)
Continuation of regular one-to-one music lessons
Attendance as a performer at showcases already supported by funds like the International Showcase Fund (e.g. SXSW, CMJ, A3C, Womex, Reeperbahn, Folk Alliance International, Canadian Music Week)
Ongoing overheads, e.g., rent, utilities and insurance
Buying or insuring vehicles
Costs associated with entering competitions
Activities that have already occurred
Equipment costs that make up more than 50% of your total request to us
Contribution to a larger project where the financial support we provide is less than 30% of the total project cost, and where you have been unable to show why taking part in the project will benefit your personal career in music

UK Rap Award application guidance