Funded by Music Australia. Delivered in partnership with Sounds Australia.

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body.

ABOUT

The Australasian Music Publishers’ Association Limited (AMPAL) is delighted to announce the return of the Music Australia International Conference Contribution – Music Publishers program for 2025!

Designed to ease the financial burden for music publishers who staff are attending a major international music conference, MAICC funding financially supports selected AMPAL members who represent writers with demonstrated potential in a specific international market, so the publisher can undertake an invaluable reconnaissance trip - and/or be present on-ground to maximise outcomes for their writers - at a major international music conference, during a critical moment in their writers', or their own, international career. The program provides contributions of up to $5000 AUD to selected AMPAL members in partnership with Sounds Australia presents the Music Australia International Conference Contribution - Music Publishers program.

2 new MAICC funding rounds have been announced for 2025:

ROUND 1, 2025: For conferences occurring in January to June 2025 inclusive; and

ROUND 2, 2025: For conferences occurring in July to December 2025 inclusive.

This game-changing funding initiative, along with the earliest iteration of the program in 2024 has already supported 11 music publishers to attend a major international music conference in 2024.

Surrounded by their music publisher peers and/or Sounds Australia team members (where Sounds Australia attendance is possible), selected MAICC funding recipients are provided with an invaluable opportunity to develop their music publishing skills, build export in-roads, and learn more about a selected international market whilst leveraging the formal and informal activities, networking and professional development opportunities that surround the international music conference that they are attending.

For further questions about the program, the application process, eligibility criteria or more, please email info@ampal.com.au

WHAT DO FUNDING RECIPIENTS RECEIVE?

Contributions of up to $5000 AUD will be awarded to selected Australian-operated music publishers. Funding will help cover essential costs associated with their attendance and international activity at their chosen event, such as travel expenses, accommodation, and event registration costs.

We realise the majority of music publisher representatives attending these events will be flying in and out of Australia, however we understand some may be flying into conferences from different locations around the world - or already be based near the event location - and therefore they may not require the maximum $5000 AUD to attend their conference. We therefore ask applicants to specify the funding amount they require to attend their chosen conference, and only ask for funds required.

HOW MANY APPLICANTS WILL BE FUNDED?

There is no predetermined number of funding recipients. The number of applicants who receive funding will depend on how much funding is available per round, and the strength of applications received.

WHAT EVENTS CAN I APPLY FOR?

For the Round 1, 2025 Music Australia International Conference Contribution – Music Publishers Program, eligible applicants (AMPAL members) will be able to select which event they hope to attend from the list of Qualifying Conferences below. Round 2, 2025 Qualifying Conferences will be announced when Round 2, 2025 applications open.

While priority for Round 1 funding will be given to applicants applying to attend a Qualifying Conference, Round 1 applicants are not precluded from applying to attend a conference that is not listed here, provided that the relevant conference is scheduled to run sometime during 2025 and is open for registrations when the application is submitted. If this applies to you, please specify the name of the event on your application and explain why this event would be valuable for you.

Please refer to the application opening and closing dates for Round 1, 2025 and Round 2, 2025 below, and ensure you submit your application before the specified deadline for your round: (If you have any questions, please contact info@ampal.com.au

ROUND 1, 2025 – QUALIFYING CONFERENCES:

WHEN DO APPLICATIONS OPEN AND CLOSE?

ROUND 1, 2025:

Applications open: Monday 25 November 2024

Applications close: Monday 9 December 2024 at 3pm AEDT

ROUND 2, 2025:

Applications open: Friday 28 February 2025

Applications close: Friday 14 March 2025 at 3pm AEDT

WHEN WILL I KNOW IF I AM SUCCESSFUL OR UNSUCCESSFUL IN RECEIVING ICC FUNDING?

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application approximately 2-4 weeks following the closing date for each funding round.

NEED ASSISTANCE OR HAVE A QUESTIONS?

Email info@ampal.com.au

Please note there have been some changes to below since previous funding rounds. Please read eligibility and selection criteria and T&Cs carefully before applying.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR FUNDING?

You are eligible to apply for the current ICC funding round if you and your nominated staff member respectively fulfil the following conditions as applicable:

  • You are a current AMPAL member.

  • You currently carry on business as a music publisher.

  • You have a minimum of 2 years’ experience working in music publishing, or if not, otherwise have a demonstrated commitment to carrying on the business of music publishing.

  • You have an Australian office which you have been operating preferably for a minimum of 2 years.

  • Your nominated staff member is an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident.

  • Your nominated staff member holds a current valid passport enabling them to travel internationally.

  • You submit an application by the due date.

  • You have not already been granted MAICC funding (whether from AMPAL or from any other source) in the last 3 months prior to applying for this AMPAL Round 1, 2025.

Ensure you have read the eligibility criteria and T&Cs below before applying.

You do not need to be attending your event with a showcasing artist to be eligible to apply (although we will ask you to specify on your application whether or not you are attending with a writer).

If you are unsure of your eligibility, please email info@ampal.com.au to discuss. If you are not a current AMPAL member and wish to apply in order to be eligible, please visit https://www.ampal.com.au/membership-new

SELECTION CRITERIA

Applicants should be able to demonstrate:

  • A commitment to carrying on the business of music publishing, and that they are recognised by the industry, and their peers, as a music publisher.

  • A comprehensive plan of activities they will undertake during their time at their specified event, demonstrating why this event - and that particular international market - is a priority territory for themselves and their writers at this time.

  • Clear goals for their publishing business in the international market, as well as demonstrating the potential for growth in this region.

  • A plan for how they intend to maximise the opportunities in the international market before, during and after the program.

  • Letters of support from up to 2 industry professionals/peers (optional).

Please note that not all applicants will necessarily receive funding, and only a selected number of applicants will be successful in receiving funding per round. Special consideration will be given to those who haven’t received MAICC funding before.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

The Australasian Music Publishers’ Association Limited (AMPAL) will pay selected funding recipients (Activity Participants) up to AU$5,000 (excluding GST) as a lump sum upon receipt of a (a) fully executed Agreement and (b) a valid Tax Invoice.

Agreements will be distributed to confirmed Activity Participants promptly upon confirmation of their involvement in this program.

  • The Grant Funds shall be exclusively used by Activity Participants to contribute toward their costs of attending their specified event, including their flights, accommodation, event ticketing or admission and other similar associated costs.

  • No later than 90 days from the last day of the event, Activity Participants must provide AMPAL with an Activity Report that provides details about the activities they undertook with regard to this program, including achievements, goals (including those not met), industry outcomes and benefits, and a breakdown of how the funds were spent.

  • Travel Permissions: The Activity Participant has, or will obtain prior to the Activity, all visas, permissions, valid documentation, insurances and any other permits or exemptions required to travel to the region where their specified event takes place.

  • As a condition of receiving the Grant, the Activity Participant gives their permission to allow AMPAL, Sounds Australia and Creative Australia / Music Australia to use, without compensation, the participant’s name, professional information and likeness for advertising and publicity purposes in connection with the Grant, including on websites or social media channels controlled by the AMPAL, Sounds Australia and Creative Australia / Music Australia.

  • It is a requirement that you inform us of any co-funding for this activity, whether it is confirmed (i) before submitting your MAICC application, (ii) while waiting for the result, or (iii) after (and if) your application for MAICC has been successful.

  • Please note it is the responsibility of all participants to arrange and pay for any insurance that they require to undertake this Activity. (If you wish to use some of your MAICC funding towards insurance costs, this is permitted.)

PLEASE NOTE:

The online application form doesn’t currently allow you to save an incomplete application, so we highly advise you to save your responses as a draft before submitting (so you have a backup copy).