The Continuo Foundation invites applications for its 11th round of funding with £106,000 available including a partnership with The Purcell Society

Continuo Foundation grantee Chelys Consort with Gwendolen Martin (soprano) & David de Winter (tenor) at Banbury Early Music Festival in September 2025 (Photo: Daniel Meikle)

The Continuo Foundation is inviting UK-wide applications for its 11th round of funding for Early Music projects. There is £100,000 available as grants ranging from £2,000 to £6,000 for projects taking place from May to November 2026. There is an addition grant of £6,000 in partnership with The Purcell Society.

Continuo’s grants aim to bring high-quality Early Music to communities across the UK – particularly in areas with limited access to classical music – opening access to hundreds of years of music heritage while strengthening the Early Music sector for the future.

All UK-based professional period-instrument ensembles with three or more instrumentalists are eligible to apply. Project proposals will be assessed based on artistic quality, audience reach, and long-term impact and there will be a dedicated category for emerging groups, formed since 2020, reflecting Continuo’s commitment to supporting the next generation of performers. 

A new collaboration with The Purcell Society, offering a £6,000 project grant, celebrates the Society’s 150th anniversary in 2026. The grant will fund one or more performance or recording projects exclusively or predominantly featuring the music of Henry Purcell. Selected projects must take place in 2026 and will use the Society’s authoritative editions for works it publishes. Any hire and performance costs associated with the use of these editions will be met by The Purcell Society in addition to the grant award.

Full details from the Continuo Foundation's website.