skip to main content

PRS for Music Launches Membership Emergency Relief Fund

The new fund, which will open for applications at 9:00 am on Thursday 26 March, offers money to support songwriters and composers during unprecedented times of hardship.

Published: 25 March 2020 | 12:00 AM Updated: 06 July 2021 | 5:08 PM
piggy bank
PRS Emergency Relief Fund to support its members during the Coronavirus pandemic. Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

PRS for Music today announced an immediate PRS Emergency Relief Fund to support its members during the Coronavirus pandemic. In partnership with the PRS Members’ Fund and PRS Foundation, the money will be available to PRS members around the world who are facing significant financial pressure as we battle the virus.

The new fund is open to all PRS members around the world who have earnt over £500 in the last two years. Grants will be awarded based on assessment of individual need and applicants will receive support up to a value of £1000.

Establishing this new PRS Fund is part of a wider plan to support members during the coming weeks, with further measures being explored.

Grant applications will be live from 9:00 am on Thursday 26 March.

PRS members wishing to apply for an Emergency Relief Fund grant can apply and find more details on the PRS For Music website.

The MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund

In response to the widespread cancellation of work that has hit our profession as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we have opened a hardship fund that members with genuine and pressing hardship can apply to.

Find out more about how it works, eligibility and how to apply.

Are you able to provide immediate support for musicians in real financial hardship? Join our crowdfunding effort.

Get MU membership today

From gig players to part-time teachers and professional instrumentalists, MU members can access specialist insurance for musicians. This includes Public Liability, Instrument and Equipment Insurance, Accident Insurance, Tax Investigation Insurance, and Professional Indemnity Insurance for music teachers.

Explore our member services

  • Get public liability insurance for musicians
  • Access expert legal support
  • Be represented in your profession
  • Access expert career advice, resources, and training events
  • Connect, network, and get to know the community of musicians

Learn about all membership benefits

Get MU membership today

Continue reading

Silhouette of crowd with their hands in the air, watching a small outdoor stage, lit by blue lights. Confetti falls from the sky.

MU Welcomes Launch of Northern Music Export Office and UKAT Fund Boost

The MU has welcomed the launch of the Northern Music Export Office (NMEO), calling it a significant step towards creating more opportunities for musicians across the North and helping artists build sustainable careers at home while reaching audiences worldwide.

Published: 25 August 2026

Read more about MU Welcomes Launch of Northern Music Export Office and UKAT Fund Boost
Jack onstage as an older man, wearing a white shirt and playing trombone.

Tribute to John 'Jackie' Free

Jack Free was a talented trombonist who performed alongside some of the great names in jazz during a career spanning more than six decades. He was a proud and long-standing member of the Musicians’ Union, having originally joined in 1956. This tribute has been written by his son, Colin.

Published: 25 August 2026

Read more about Tribute to John 'Jackie' Free
Close up of a Germany visa stamp on a passport.

New Guidance for Musicians Working in Germany

New MU guidance outlines the rules for musicians working in Germany, including work permit exemptions, visa requirements and key considerations for performers accepting engagements in the country.

Published: 20 August 2026

Read more about New Guidance for Musicians Working in Germany