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 to 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.

Please read the eligibility requirements below carefully before applying.

OUR ARTISTS

Salt Lick Incubator grants support emerging artists working in melody- and lyric-driven music. We look for artists with a distinct voice, strong storytelling, and a clear creative vision for their work and their world. Since 2022, we have supported artists building sustainable careers in independent, roots-inspired, and genre-blending musical spaces such as alt-folk, americana, bluegrass, indie rock, r&b, and soul, and many places in between. We recognize and embrace that genres today are fluid, overlapping, and ever-evolving.

We respect and love the full spectrum of music. Our goal is to be transparent about where we are currently best equipped to make an impact. Right now, we do not have the funding or infrastructure to meaningfully support artists working in the primary commercial genres where major labels tend to dominate (for example: electronic music, hip hop, commercial country, and pure pop). Our focus is on artists working in more independent, niche, or alternative spaces, where we can offer deeper, more hands-on support. 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.

If you believe that your work is aligned with our mission, values, and criteria, we welcome your application.

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 more than (3) full-length albums of original music 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 careers

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: January 2, 2026

Applications close: February 15, 2026. Applications close at 11:59:59 PM ET, no exceptions.

Awards announced: April/May 2026

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.