The Leeds Conservatoire Employability & Enterprise team is here to support students and recent graduates in developing their creative ideas into real-world projects.
Whether you’re releasing an EP, touring a show, starting a business or exploring something new, we can offer guidance every step of the way. You can book one-to-one sessions with our team and visiting industry guests to talk through your ideas.
We have a range of resources designed to help you refine your ideas and build a clear plan. Our Incubator Fund gives you the chance to present your project to a panel of industry professionals and apply for up to £500 of funding. We can also help you strengthen applications for other external opportunities, such as Arts Council funding.
If you’d like to know more, please email us at eae@leedsconservatoire.ac.uk to book one of our weekly Wednesday drop-in sessions. We’re happy to listen to your project ideas, business plans, or general career goals.
The Incubator Fund
What funding is available?
Up to £500 per applicant
£2,000 available per funding window (split across successful applicants).
When can I apply for funding?
There are three application windows each academic year:
Round 1
Application window 03/10/25 – 03/11/25
Panel date 19/11/25
Successful Applicants informed 26/11/25
Round 2
Application window 30/01/26 – 02/03/26
Panel date 17/03/26
Successful Applicants informed 24/03/26
Round 3
Application window 18/05/26 – 15/06/26
Panel date 24/06/26
Successful Applicants informed 01/07/26
Who can apply?
This support is open to current Leeds Conservatoire students and recent Leeds Conservatoire graduates (up to 2 years after graduation).
What can we support?
Here are some examples of what we may be able to fund:
- Prototype Development/R&D
- Photo/Video Production
- PR & Marketing Campaigns
- Specialised Business Advice
- Studio Time
- Logo/Branding
- Mentoring (in-person or online)
- Other reasonable, creative ideas (just ask!)
This list is a guide. Each idea will be reviewed and supported based on its merits, professional impact, and creative value.
What We Usually Don’t Fund
We still welcome conversations around these – we may be able to suggest alternative support:
- Projects that are directly assessed as part of your course
- Retrospective activity (things you’ve already paid for or completed)
- Musical equipment/software purchases
- Activities directly funding people outside Leeds Conservatoire (beyond collaborators)
- Audition fees (including for further study)
- Tuition/course fees (short courses or postgraduate study)
- Conferences or seminars
How do I apply for funding?
How It Works
- Submit a Business or Artist Plan
Submit your plan using our online form, it follows a basic business plan structure.
You will need to have thought about your aims, timeline, and budget.
You can also submit via another format if you prefer, e.g. a video submission. - Present to the Panel
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to present their idea in person to a small panel on 19th November 2025 – please ensure you are free on this date. You’ll receive feedback whether successful or not. - Get Support Along the Way
Drop in to see the E&E team on Wednesdays for one-to-one support – contact us at EaE@leedsconservatoire.ac.uk to book in.
NOTE: Our Wednesday sessions are open to everyone, not just those applying for funding. Whether you’re thinking about your career, exploring an idea, or pulling together a plan that doesn’t need funding, we’re here to help. We can also connect you with industry mentors if that would support your next steps.
Who’s on the Panel?
- An external industry representative from the music sector
- An external industry representative from the theatre sector
- Members of Leeds Conservatoire staff
The external industry representatives are both established partners of Leeds Conservatoire.
Get in contact
If you have any questions or want to talk through an idea, contact us at: eae@leedsconservatoire.ac.uk or find us in Room 401
Application Window
The current round of the Incubator Fund is open now. You can apply from Friday 3rd October to Monday 3rd November. There will be further rounds in January/February and May/June.