FAC and Amazon Music launch new round of Step Up funding for independent artists | Talent

The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) and Amazon Music have confirmed details of the fifth edition of Step Up, the fund that supports independent artists.

Applications are open here until 23:59pm on May 29. Full entry and criteria details are available on the FAC Step Up page.

The fund is open for UK-resident artists aged 18-plus who can demonstrate evidence of career traction and a strong case for investment into a project that will help them take the next step in their careers.  

Applicants must not be signed to a major or large independent record label or be in receipt of a significant advance. 

Since 2022, Step Up has provided grants totalling over £300,000 to more than 40 acts from a wide range of genres and backgrounds across the whole of the UK. The grants helped to pay for new recordings and underwrite the costs of live touring, as well as cover costs of marketing, PR, video making, performance production and other content creation. 

Previous awardees include the likes of 4am Kru, Amie Blu, Arz, Azekel, Aziya, Beka, Chalk, Elkka, Ellie Dixon, Friedberg, Jadu Heart, Jalen Ngonda, Joel Culpepper, Lime Garden, Mellina Tey, Olive Jones, Sofy and Vukovi.

This programme is the embodiment of what we believe at Amazon Music: that the right investment, at the right time, can redefine what’s possible for an artist

Laura Lukanz

In 2025, the fund was expanded to provide five further artists with studio time at The Breakthrough Lab, the recording studio space created by a partnership between Amazon Music and Metropolis Studios.

David Martin, CEO, FAC, said: “We’re delighted to open a fifth edition of Step Up. Over the past 12 months, previous awardees have been nominated at the MOBOs, appeared on magazine covers and performed on some of the world’s most celebrated stages. It’s been inspiring to see so many incredible artists blossom, and to feel we’ve been able to play a small – but important – part in those successes. 

“For that reason, Step Up remains a pioneering fund for the Featured Artists Coalition. I am absolutely delighted Amazon Music have continued to support us on this mission, and hope we can continue to deliver targeted creative investment that helps the next wave of UK talent.”

Laura Lukanz, head of music UK, Australia & New Zealand, Amazon Music, said: “Five years ago, we set out to prove that targeted investment at a critical moment can transform an artist’s trajectory. With over £300,000 awarded to more than 40 artists since 2022, Step Up has done exactly that by funding recordings, artwork, tours, and creative ambitions that might otherwise have remained out of reach. 

“This programme is the embodiment of what we believe at Amazon Music: that the right investment, at the right time, can redefine what’s possible for an artist. We’re immensely proud of our partnership with the FAC, and we can’t wait to back the next wave of independent talent ready to break through.” 

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