The Salt Lick Incubator is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting emerging musicians in building sustainable careers. We offer project grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 to artists working in songful, contemporary genres. These grants can support projects such as producing a song or album, creating a music video, developing social media assets, pressing vinyl, touring, or enhancing branding and marketing strategies.

In addition to funding, grant recipients receive mentorship and guidance from industry professionals, along with a personalized plan to help ensure their projects are both strategic and successful.

Please read the eligibility requirements below carefully before applying.

IMPORTANT

Our focus is on song- and lyric-driven melodic music. 

We ARE well-positioned to support artists working in the following genres: rock, folk, Americana, R&B, roots, soul, neo-soul, blues, bluegrass, and singer-songwriter (and all indie variants of these). 

We ARE NOT positioned to support artists working in the following genres: electronic, hip-hop, rap, pop country, pure pop, metal, world, spoken word, classical, jazz.

ELIGIBILITY 

     To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible to work in the United States
• Apply as an individual or small group (e.g., duo, trio, or band)
• Be an emerging artist in the early stages of their professional artist careers
• Must own the master recordings of your music
• Must not have accepted an advance for the project being submitted
• Cannot be in an active contract with a record label
• Must not have released three (3) or more full-length albums to date

Note: This grant is not subject to commission or third-party claim by industry partners, managers, or others — all funds must go directly to the artist.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Applications go through an extensive, multi-round evaluation process and are evaluated based on, but not limited to, the following primary criteria:

• Quality of songwriting
• Strength of artistic voice and vision
• Commitment to building a sustainable, artist-led caree

Before applying, please read our Statement of Purpose to learn more about the projects, artists, and music we are best suited to support. 

DEADLINES

Applications open: June 1, 2025

Applications close: July 15, 2025. Applications close at 11:59:59 PM ET, no exceptions.

Awards announced: September/October 2025

Salt Lick Incubator does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin or ancestry, native language, disability, age, religion (creed), gender or gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, socioeconomic status, or military status in any of its programs, services, or employment practices.