JPN 2025 Bursary Scheme
The 2025 JPN Showcase and Conference takes place in Cardiff from lunchtime on Thursday Nov 6 until 11 pm on Friday November 7 (https://jazzpromotionnetwork.org.uk), at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and Cardiff University. It is the UK's only dedicated conference for those involved in the jazz sector and provides an opportunity to see some of the most exciting bands working across the UK/Ireland and also contribute to conference sessions on common issues and challenges. It is a friendly event with under 200 delegates and previous bursary holders have found it an enjoyable experience (see below).
JPN is offering bursaries to enable a limited number of interested people across the UK and Ireland to attend the conference. With support confirmed from the four UK Arts Councils we are able to offer a limited number of bursaries for applicants from any of these countries, though the number possible in each case differs according to the grant awarded. Some of these will offer partial support for travel and accommodation costs and others will offer support for all costs. Priority will be given to new attenders and those under 35 interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the jazz industry as a possible source of employment (as artist, promoter, educator, manager, broadcaster etc).
Comments from some of our bursary holders over the past few years have included:
It was a great opportunity to meet others from around the UK and Irish jazz scene, the majority having never met previously. It was inspiring to hear representatives of the Five Nations talk about their sectors' own trials and tribulations of restarting after the past two years and the successes that people have built on over their careers.
For those interested in broadening their contact list in the UK jazz scene it is a great opportunity to meet others in your niche field. I feel it would be a great opportunity for young musicians and promoters who haven't had the experience or chance to meet those who've been there and done it.
The network membership as a whole was very welcoming and generous with their time, which helped me to understand how my work as a promoter fits into the wider British and Irish scene.
This was my first time attending JPN as well as my first time in the beautiful city of Belfast. I wasn't sure what to expect from the conference and was worried it might be quite a "dry" experience to attend as an artist. These expectations were unfounded as I had a wonderful time and made connections with some amazing musicians and creators on the Irish music scene.
The JPN conference is an invaluable and unique opportunity to engage and share ideas with industry figures from across the UK and Ireland, and through attending this year's event in Birmingham I was able to strengthen existing connections (including meeting several e-mail only connections in person for the first time) as well as make new ones which will benefit not only my own career but those of the other artists I work with.
Assessment Criteria
Decisions on your application will be made by a 5 nations industry panel including members of the JPN board and will be assessed according to the criteria below.
To be eligible for a bursary you must be:
- Over 18
- Working in jazz and improvised music or keen to explore this as a career option
- Based in England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland or Northern Ireland
- Available to attend the JPN Conference in Cardiff from November 6-7 2025.
- Able to arrange and book your own travel and accommodation (The JPN Team can offer advice for anyone with particular access needs).
We will take the following factors into account, when making decisions:
- The positive impact attending the JPN conference will have on the applicant's career
- Applicants U35 will be given priority, as potential future mentees in our Routes into Jazz industry development scheme.
- The cost of travel in comparison to other applicants
- Whether the applicant has previously been supported by JPN's bursary scheme. Priority will be given to new applicants.
JPN will prioritise applications which promote a fair and diverse representation of applicants across all participating nations.
How to Apply You need to complete a short google form. We will ask you for some factual information in addition to the following assessment questions:
1. How will a bursary help you to attend the JPN conference?
2. Please tell us your estimated travel and accommodation costs for the conference (please use journey planners, advanced tickets and budget accommodation to make this estimate)
3. Tell us why attending the JPN Conference is important to the development of your career and what you hope to gain
4. Let us know of any access needs you may have if attending the conference.
The deadline to apply is 5 pm Friday September 26. Apply at THIS LINK.
