BBC Performing Arts Fund ("BBC PAF") Urban Music Talent 2009 ("Scheme")

Terms and conditions of Scheme

What is the Scheme? How much money will be granted and to how many applicants?

• The scheme is designed to identify and support the best aspiring urban music artists, musicians, producers, promoters, label bosses, agents, journalists, managers and any combination of these aged 18 – 30. This is a scheme for talented self starters with an idea and the motivation to make it happen.
• Applicants need to be mature, realistic, positive and grounded in hard work. They need to have been working in music, alone or with others, for at least a year. They may be working alone or you may already have set up a company.
• BBC PAF's job is to help grantees, early in their careers, with some working capital, a business mentor , advice, contacts and training (if they need it).
• The total maximum amount awarded under the Scheme will be £150,000. The maximum individual grant awarded will not exceed £10,000. We expect the total number of grants to be around 15.
• The Scheme awards will award a contribution to grantees' expenses incurred in pursuing their musical ambition such as studio time, equipment, making a video, marketing and distribution of music, mixing and mastering, musicians’ and technicians’ fees, web design and hosting, training and many other things.
• Grantees cannot spend more than a quarter (25%) of their grant on purchasing equipment.
• Grantees cannot spend their grant on domestic costs such as rent/mortgage, mobile phone, clothes, food and drink etc. The one and only domestic expense BBC PAF will cover is childcare.
• If grantees misuse their grant for whatever reason they may be required to repay the sum allocated at the reasonable discretion of the BBC PAF.
• Payment will be made by cheque once completed claim forms are verified and received by BBC PAF

Who is eligible?

Applicants will be asked to show proof that they meet the following eligibility criteria if invited to attend an interview for the Scheme. BBC PAF also reserves the right to verify for accuracy and currency any information applicants give BBC PAF during the application, interview and residency process. Applicants do not need to send this to BBC PAF with the initial application form.

• Applicants must be aged between 18 and 30 on the 11th May 2009
• Applicants must be a resident of the UK (or Isle of Man or Channel Islands) with sufficient proof of identity and right of residency

How are applications to be made?

Applicants must complete the online application form entitled Urban Music Talent Application 2009 including as much detail as possible.

Step 1: Applications open at 10am on Monday 11th May 2009 and close at 10am on 19th June 2009. Application is made by completing the online application form on the BBC PAF website.

Step 2: Applications will be assessed by an independent expert in the Urban Music Industry. Priority will be given to applicants who demonstrate talent, ambition, motivation and a clear financial need.

Step 3: Applicants selected for the next step will be invited by e-mail to attend an interview in London between the 27th -31st of July 2009. Applicants will be required to complete further paperwork to bring with them to the interview if selected. Applicants will also be asked to provide proof of identity and a photograph at this stage. The interview panel will be made up of representatives of the BBC PAF and industry experts. If applicants are not successful at the interview stage they will be informed by e-mail and the process for this year will end for them.

Step 4: If the applicant passes the interview, they will be invited to attend a two day residential weekend in London on 21st and 22nd August 2009. These two days will consist of workshops and master classes as well as an opportunity to perform. The panel will continue to assess each applicant during this period. If applicants are not successful at the residential stage they will be informed in writing and the process for this year will end for them.

Step 5: Following the residency, and on the recommendation of the panel, the Trustees of the BBC PAF will decide on who will be granted funding.

What are the other general terms and conditions of the Scheme?

• Only one application per person.
• It is applicants' responsibility to ensure that the contact details supplied on their application form are correct and kept updated for the duration of the application and assessment process and Scheme.
• The decisions of the selection panels at the interview and residency stages, and those of the Trustees of the BBC PAF involved in these stages are final. Neither correspondence nor discussion concerning any decision shall be entered into.
• BBC PAF reserves the right to refuse any application for any reason at BBC PAF's discretion.
• Attendance at the interview is undertaken at applicants' own expense.
• BBC PAF reserves the right to seek and issue publicity about grantees, grantees' work or the grants made to them by BBC PAF.
• Applicants must provide contact details and the BBC and BBC PAF will only ever use personal data and any sensitive data for the purpose of administering the Scheme, will not publish them or provide them without permission to anyone not involved in the administration of the Scheme and will administer and hold any data applicants give BBC PAF or which is collected during the application and grant process according to the BBC Privacy policy.
• Acceptance of these Terms and Conditions is a condition of application to the Scheme. By submitting an application for a grant under the Scheme, an applicant communicates to BBC PAF his/her acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.

The BBC Performing Arts Fund is a registered Charity (no. 1101276). The registered address is Room 4171, BBC White City, 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7RJ. For further information or any questions, please email performingartsfund@bbc.co.uk