This Foundation offers small grant funding towards the performance, commissioning or recording of music by professional composers. 

The principal aims of the Foundation are to honour the composer Ralph Vaughan William’s desire to support his fellow composers, and to make his own work widely accessible to the general public.

Grants awarded vary in size according to the type of project – performances, festivals, commissions or recordings. They are typically in the range of £2,500 to £3,000.

A maximum of 50% of a project’s total budget can be funded.

There is also separate funding to support work which furthers the knowledge and understanding of the life and work of Ralph Vaughan Williams, and of Ursula Vaughan Williams.

There are three application windows annually.

The next deadlines are:

• Thursday 3 September 2026 – for projects taking place from December 2026 onwards
• Tuesday 5 January 2027
• Tuesday 4 May 2027.

The Foundation aims to advise applicants of decisions within 12 weeks after the deadlines.

Each funding round is for projects which will be delivered a minimum of three months after that deadline. Early applications are encouraged.

For full details of the available grants, visit the Vaughan Williams Foundation Funding webpage here.