The Salt Lick Incubator is a nonprofit organization that supports emerging musicians on their path to sustainable careers. Our project grants range from $5,000 to $15,000 and are awarded to musicians performing in songful, contemporary genres to use for projects such as producing a song or album, producing a music video, developing social media assets, pressing vinyl, touring, or developing branding and marketing assets and strategies. All grants are accompanied by a plan developed with each recipient to ensure the artist’s activities are both strategic and successful. Please read the eligibility requirements below before applying.

IMPORTANT

Our focus is on song- and lyric-driven melodic music. We are well positioned to support artists working in genres such as rock, folk, Americana, R&B, roots, soul, neo-soul, blues, pop, and singer-songwriter (and all indie variants of these). We are not positioned to support the following genres: Electronic, hip-hop, 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
• Be individuals or small groups (i.e., duos, trios, bands)
• Be an emerging artist actively involved in contemporary music-making 
• Must be in control of your own copyrights / recordings
• Cannot be signed to a label or have taken an advance from a distributor
• Must not have received a grant from the Salt Lick Incubator within the past two years  
• This grant is not subject to commission by any industry partners, managers, etc. All funds must go directly to the artist

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Applications are reviewed by The Salt Lick Incubator’s employees, members of its Artist Advisory Board, and other industry professionals when appropriate. Applications are evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Strength and quality of the applicant’s artistic output and vision
• Alignment with the Salt Lick Incubator’s mission, strengths, and areas of focus
• Financial or other demonstrated need
• Feasibility of the proposed project and budget
• Salt Lick Incubator’s ability to guide and support the proposed project 
• Accuracy and completeness of the application 
• Willingness to participate in program supports and engage with other Salt Lick-supported artists  

SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS

A successful applicant is an emerging artist pursuing a career in song-driven music who performs at a high level, has a distinct artistic voice and vision, and who has submitted a feasible project proposal that aligns with Salt Lick Incubator’s vision, mission, and strengths. 

DEADLINES

The grant cycles for 2024–2025 are as follows:

• Applications open July 15, 2024 and close September 30, 2024. Awards announced by November 30, 2024
• Applications open November 1, 2024 and close January 31, 2025. Awards announced by March 31, 2025

*Applications close at 11:59:59 PM ET  

No person 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 shall be excluded from participation in, or be denied benefits of, or otherwise be subject to discrimination of services, programs and employment provided by the Salt Lick Incubator.