Music BC — Jumpstart Grants

• Written Proposal
• Completed Budget Form
• B.C. Business Registration

Who is eligible?

• B.C.-based, for-profit businesses.
• Businesses that invest in the production and promotion of sound recordings by Canadian artists, tours and showcases by Canadian artists, publishing of Canadian musical works, the management of Canadian artists, or the production and promotion of music primary events.
• Eligible businesses generally include record labels, music publishers, music producers and engineers, music tech companies, artist managers, music promoters, and music festival producers.

Who is not eligible

• Businesses that primarily exist to benefit one artist or client.
• Artist-entrepreneurs.
• Applicants whose final reports from a previous Amplify BC grant or honorarium issued by Music BC or Creative BC remain incomplete.

Eligible expenses

• Wage contribution.
• Mentorship fees, up to 15% of the total eligible funding request.
• Mandatory Employment Related Costs as outlined per the Government of Canada: Vacation, CPP, EI, WCB.
• Office expenses related to onboarding the apprentice, including temporary software subscriptions, office supplies, and equipment rentals that support accessibility needs in the workplace.
• Marketing and advertising costs of promoting the work placement.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Fundraising to cover wage costs of the summer apprentice.
• Projects or activities that involve business travel.
• Personal service tasks for the applicant or company personnel, such as managing personal calendars or running personal errands.
• Hardware, entertainment and hospitality costs, company overhead costs, and personal expenses such as travel, accommodations, living expenses, and per diems.
• Overtime hours, third-party training courses, and bonuses, commissions, or incentive pay.

• The scope of duties presented for the work placement.
• Adequate infrastructure to take on a mentee.
• Prior track record of recruitment, training, and professional development.
• Commitment to supporting the next generation of music industry professionals.
• Priority is given to applicants who prioritize an apprentice from an underserved region or group, engage current personnel from systematically excluded groups in mentorship, and show potential for future employment.

• Submit the application online via the Music BC website.
• If you experience difficulties with the online form, email info@musicbc.org prior to the deadline for assistance.
• Successful uploads will display a confirmation message at the top of the submission page, and no confirmation email will be sent.

• Applications will be reviewed by anonymous, independent peer adjudication panels of three to five persons representing artist entrepreneurs and music industry professionals, and jurors must acknowledge any potential conflict of interest.
• Successful grant recipients will be notified no later than Friday, April 17th, 2026.
• Successful applicants will be presented with a contractual agreement, and 80% of the grant will be released upon completion and return of a signed agreement.
• To receive the final funding installment, applicants must submit a completed final report form, a signed work log, a written summary from the apprentice, a spreadsheet of expenses with organized copies of invoices or receipts, and proof of payments.
• Significant changes to the initiative must be brought to Music BC’s attention for approval; if the work placement is cancelled or altered without consent, any monies given must be returned.