Yes, you can! We’re investing another $1 million in the industry, so you’re welcome to apply for this new round of funding. The application criteria and questions have slightly changed though, so make sure you tailor your new application.

You’re eligible to apply for a grant if you are an Australian Music Business or Artist/Band, and satisfy the Core Eligibility Criteria:

Core Eligibility Criteria:

• Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Australia aged 18 and over that are currently residing in Australia, or plan to reside in Australia within 12 months of submitting an entry/being awarded
• Registered Charities, businesses associated with American Express and Government organisations are not eligible for the American Express Music Backers Fund.
• If you’re applying as a group or business, all members must be 18 years or older, and a majority of the group must be Australian Residents or Citizens
• If you’re applying as a business, you must have a registered ABN

This grant is intended for small businesses and/or emerging artists, so please don’t apply if you are a large, well established business or corporate organisation.

Fans aren’t eligible to apply for the grant, but there are other initiatives within the Music Backers Fund that Fans can get involved in. Make sure you’ve registered for program updates to be alerted when new opportunities are available at www.amex.com.au/musicbackers

Great question. We understand and appreciate that an ‘artist’ can be defined differently based on what creative industry you’re in. In the spirit of our Fund, and to keep the music playing in Australia, we’re looking for all musical artists to apply.

• Artist/Band/Group – there is no requirement to be an American Express Card Member to apply for or to receive a grant.
• Music Businesses – there is no requirement to accept American Express to apply for a grant. If you are selected as a recipient, your business will need to warmly accept American Express.

There are many initiatives that make up the $1 million Music Backers Fund – and the grant is just one of them. If you’re a music-loving fan, you can’t apply for a grant, but there are plenty of other ways to get involved. Make sure you’ve registered to receive Music Backers program updates and you’ll be alerted when more opportunities are announced.

All applications must be submitted by completing an online grant application form at www.americanexpress.com.au/musicbackers. Applications received via email, phone or any other method, including those that are incorrect or incomplete will not be considered.

Step 1: On the Grant page, select the grant category you’d like to apply for and it will load the relevant form for you to complete. Easy! There are three (3) grant categories, and each category has different criteria. Please ensure you’re familiar with the criteria prior to selection:

• Back on Track – From $2,000 to $10,000
• Transformation & Growth – From $2,000 to $25,000
• Innovation & Community Impact- From $2,000 to $50,000

Step 2: Select whether you’re applying as an:

• Artist/Group/Band
•  Music Business

Step 3: Complete the form and press submit. You’ll receive an on-screen notification that your application was submitted successfully, and you’ll also receive an email confirmation.

We love that you have so many great ideas and can’t wait to hear more.

There are two (2) grant rounds. You can submit a maximum of one (1) grant application per round.

If it’s for the same request/idea, please do not re-apply in Round 2. Just because you didn’t hear from us at the end of Round 1, it doesn’t mean your application wasn’t successful. We retain all Round 1 applications and reconsider them again in Round 2.

However, if you have a different request/idea you may be eligible to apply in Round 2. Please read the conditions in the above question “I have lots of great ideas can I enter multiple times?”

Please note that all recipients for Round One have now been selected and are being notified as of early November 2020. 

This varies depending on which Grant Category you apply for:

• Back on Track – From $2,000 to $10,000
• Transformation & Growth – From $2,000 to $25,000
• Innovation & Community Impact - From $2,000 to $50,000

Please think about what you want funding for, and then select the category that applies to your situation (read the category definitions carefully). The category selected will determine the minimum and maximum amount you can apply for. Please be realistic in your request.

Not necessarily. The expert judging panel will determine how much is realistic to achieve what you’re asking for. In the past, we have modified the amount both upwards and downwards from the original request depending on how much the panel believe you could successfully execute your idea for, and/or what funds are available in the broader pool of recipients.

• Keep your application concise, focused, and clearly outline your goal and how you intend to make it successful.
• It’s OK to have multiple elements in your request (particularly for larger initiatives) but ensure any elements you are asking for are related to the one output/ objective/initiative. Applications with multiple, unrelated components that don’t work together to achieve a focused output are unlikely to be successful.
• Provide a detailed & itemized budget breakdown. The more detailed, the better.
• Be realistic in your budget estimations. Do your research and don’t drastically under or overestimate how much you will need.

There is no pre-set number of recipients. The amount of successful grant recipients will be determined by the size, volume, variety and requirements of the shortlisted submissions.

No, there is no pre-determined split of grants within each category.

No. There will be numerous ways to receive part of the $1 Million American Express Music Backers Fund.

To begin with, we’ve announced three (3) initiatives – A Grant (open for music businesses and artists) Nominate a Mate, and Music Backers Studio Week. There will be more initiatives rolling out, so make sure you’ve registered to receive program updates.

To receive funding specifically within the Grant initiative, you will need to apply online using the Grant application forms.

Please note, we keep our ear to the ground and have been known to randomly reach out to artists and/or businesses we hear that are doing amazing things. Being offered an “Amex Choice” grant without the need for an application is rare, but it does happen!

Yes, you can still apply, and your application will be considered equally. To get a full picture of how you are planning to bring your ideas to life, the application process will ask about other grants and/or private support you may be receiving.

We do have T&C’s and a questionnaire for selected recipients that we’ll discuss in detail with you once selected. It covers things like how we can work together to bring your story to life, how to reference the Fund etc.

If you're selected as a grant recipient, firstly congratulations! Exact timings will largely be dependent on when you’re ready and will be agreed on a case-by-case basis. We’re excited to see what you do with it though, so our goal is to enable you to get moving as quickly as possible. Let’s make this happen!

In most circumstances, you won’t be paid directly. We’ll work with you to identify suitable suppliers and then pay the bills for you.

We’ll work on this together and get an idea from you on who you’d like to engage. In most circumstances, you can choose who you like, but if your supplier doesn’t accept American Express, then we may require you to select an alternate supplier. We love supporting businesses who accept American Express!

Grant funding is awarded based on the information included in your submission, and any changes to the initiative or planned usage of funds will require your application to be re-reviewed.

We understand that changes happen, so where possible we’ll work with you to accommodate amends. Please be aware that a significant change to the original submission, or any other changes not approved may result in the forfeiture of partial or full grant funding and the final decision will be at the sole discretion of American Express.

In your application, you’ll be asked to let us know when you intend to roll out your idea. Once selected, we’ll work with you to agree on a date that it will be completed, so make sure you’re only applying if you’re ready to put your plans into action!

We understand that things happen, so if there are delays, just let us know and we’ll try to work through it together. Please be aware if the delays are significant or the project cancels, this may result in a forfeiture of the grant.

We’re unable to provide status updates on individual applications, but you’ll hear from us directly if you’ve been shortlisted. Recipients for Round One have been selected and are being notified. These recipients will be announced in November/December 2020.

Please ensure you’ve read the full Music Backers Studio Week FAQ’s as well as the General Program FAQ’s before reaching out. All FAQ’s can be found on www.americanexpress.com.au/musicbackers

To keep it fair for everyone, we’re unable to provide guidance on ideas, nor any other tips that would give you an advantage over others. If you still have questions, please email us at MusicBackers@aexp.com and we’ll get back to you within 5 business days.