Continuo Foundation unlocks another £100,000 for UK period instrument ensembles

Continuo Foundation has opened applications for Round 12 of the Continuo Foundation Awards, making a further £100,000 from its donors available to support Early Music projects across the UK by professional period-instrument ensembles.

The new round furthers Continuo’s mission to help ensembles create ambitious, high-quality work at a time when project funding remains urgently needed across the Early Music sector. Ranging from £2,000 to £6,000 per project, the grants will support concerts, tours, recordings, workshops, audience development initiatives and other imaginative projects that bring Early Music to communities throughout the UK.

Grant Round 12 will see the Foundation’s support to the Early Music sector grow to £1,276,000 since inception. Continuo Foundation Founder & CEO Tina Vadaneaux comments, 'Every round of funding puts vital resources directly into the hands of ensembles, helping them to plan with confidence, employ outstanding musicians and bring inspiring performances to audiences who might not otherwise have access to this music. We warmly encourage eligible ensembles, both established and emerging, to apply.'

Applications are invited from UK-based professional period-instrument ensembles with three or more instrumentalists for projects taking place between 1 December 2026 and 31 May 2027. The application deadline is 5 August 2026. Full details, including eligibility and selection criteria, application form and budget template, are available at ContinuoFoundation.co.uk.