Introduction
Big news for indie musicians in India! TuneCore has just kicked off applications for its fourth edition of the Independent Artist Grant. If you’re an artist dreaming of making it big or just need that crucial financial push for your next project, this is your chance.
What is the TuneCore Independent Artist Grant?
In simple words, it’s TuneCore’s way of giving back to the indie music community. They offer one artist financial backing to either produce, market, or launch a music project. It’s not just money — it’s a major vote of confidence for creative spirits chasing their dreams!
Key Details of the 2025 Edition
Application Dates
Mark your calendars! Applications are open from April 10, 2025, to April 30, 2025. That’s a tight window, so better get moving.
Grant Amount
The lucky artist will receive INR 1,00,000 — a decent chunk to make your next single, EP, or album shine.
Purpose of the Funding
The grant isn’t limited to just studio time. You can use it for:
- Music production
- Marketing and promotion
- Distribution costs
- Anything crucial to launching your project
History of the TuneCore Grant Initiative
The initiative, launched by TuneCore—owned by Paris-based digital music company Believe—has evolved over the years to reflect the changing landscape of independent music in India. Previous editions of the Grant focused on regional support, with past data showing an increase in releases in languages such as Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam following regional grant cycles.
Origins and Growth
Launched by TuneCore, under the larger umbrella of Believe (a Paris-based digital music giant), this initiative has steadily grown into one of India’s most meaningful grants for independent musicians.
Regional Focus in Previous Editions
Earlier editions zoomed in on regional languages — Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam. The result? A vibrant explosion of regional music reaching national and even international stages.
What’s New in the 2025 Edition
This year’s edition aims to address ongoing challenges faced by independent musicians, particularly in light of growing content saturation on streaming platforms. According to recent data from Luminate, approximately 99,000 songs are uploaded to DSPs daily, yet a significant percentage of these releases struggle to surpass 1,000 annual streams—the typical threshold for meaningful monetization.
Artists across languages and genres are eligible to apply, as long as they plan to release a single, EP, or album in 2025. The funding can be directed towards production, marketing, or any stage of the release process.
Meet the Jury Panel
The recipient will be chosen by a panel comprising industry professionals such as Sannidh Shah (Independent Music Editor, Spotify India), Rumpa Banerjee (Head of Marketing, IPRS), Arjun Shah (Founder, Shark & Ink), and Magesh R (Creative Head, Think Indie), among others. The winner will be announced in early May.
Applications are currently open on the TuneCore India Grant microsite.
Conclusion
If you’re an independent artist in India with big dreams and a killer project in the works, TuneCore’s 2025 Grant could be your launchpad. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by — go polish that application and shoot your shot!
