The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office has announced 35 grants across three streams — marketing, recording and touring — open now to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music creators until 3 May 2026.
The Indigenous music community is producing some of the most compelling artists in the country right now, and NATSIMO is backing them to go further.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office (NATSIMO), with funding from Music Australia and support from APRA AMCOS, has announced the return of its LIFECYCLE Grants for 2026. Three streams are available (marketing, recording and touring) with 35 grants on offer in total, open to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander songwriters, composers and musicians.
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The marketing stream offers 15 grants to support content creation, marketing and promotional activities. Recording grants support the creation of new and original music, as well as access to professional recording environments and business and skills development opportunities. Touring grants are designed to help artists take a new project on the road, build audiences and engage with communities through live performance. Membership with APRA AMCOS is not required to apply, and creators are welcome to apply for more than one stream.
Since its establishment, the LIFECYCLE portfolio has delivered $670,000 in funding to the Indigenous music community, with previous recipients including Baker Boy, Zaachariaha Fielding, Amy Dowd (Bumpy) and Russell Smith — a list that speaks to the program’s track record of backing artists who go on to make their mark.
NATSIMO Program Manager Sue Ray says, “Our community has some of the most exciting talent in the country right now, and these grants are designed to support and guide them through the often-difficult career journey by providing funding for marketing, recording and touring activities.”
Previous LIFECYCLE Grant recipients and applicants are also encouraged to apply. Grants cover activity undertaken and completed between 13 July 2026 and 15 March 2027.
Applications are open now until Sunday 3 May 2026. For eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit natsimo.com.au.
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia.
