The Café Royal Cultural Foundation NYC offers music production grants of up to $20,000 to support artists in all genres undertaking audio recording projects. Funding assists with producer costs (if not self-produced) and expenses for recording, mixing, editing, and mastering. Applicants must be NYC residents, living in the city for at least one year before applying, and plan to remain through the project’s completion. While the Winter 2025 grant cycle has reached its application limit, the next cycle begins on March 4, 2025.

Eligibility requires that applicants be U.S. citizens or residents currently living in New York City. Completed recordings and projects worked on in home studios are not eligible. Applicants must submit existing compositions, as the grant does not fund the writing or commissioning of new works. Preference is given to recording projects in NYC’s five boroughs or nearby approved locations. Projects must release music or complete mastering no sooner than 90 days after the application deadline (May 4, 2025) and no later than 12 months after the award date (March 24, 2026).

Applicants must provide up to five .mp3 links or a private playlist (Spotify or SoundCloud), a short project description, an artistic biography, and a budget detailing expenses up to $20,000. The grant only covers project-related costs, excluding fees for the applicant’s own services (e.g., musician, producer, or artist fees). Previous grantees and collaborators cannot receive additional funds through this grant. Approved expenses include professional studio rental, producer fees (if applicable), and mixing/mastering services.

Grant evaluation considers the quality of music, innovation, artistic performance, cultural relevance, and potential for future achievements. Applications are reviewed by a Selection Committee, with top applicants moving to a final round evaluated by the Executive Committee. Applicants do not need to be signed with a record label to apply.

Artists interested in using world-renowned Flux Studios can receive an independent artist rate and include associated costs in their budget. However, working with Flux Studios is optional. For inquiries about recording locations or other grant details, applicants can contact caferoyaldigital@gmail.com.

For more information, visit the Café Royal Cultural Foundation’s website or contact their office at 225 4th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215. Applications for the next cycle will open in March 2025.