Music Publishers Association

– Programme open to young professionals in music publishing, granting free NXT-Gen memberships to those from marginalised communities
– Including (but not limited to) Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, LGBTQIA+ and/or disabled people
– Deadline for all applications is Thursday 24 August

The trade association for music publishers in the UK, the MPA, is delighted to announce that applications are now open for its 2023 NXT-Gen Scholars scheme.

Applications are invited from those in the early stages of their careers (with 0-3 years of experience) who are proactive and driven to make an impact in the music industry and identify as belonging to one or more of the 9 protected characteristics. These are age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.[i]

The MPA strives to be a catalyst for positive change and encourage a more engaged, conscious, diverse and inclusive music publishing community.

Benefits of becoming a NXT-Gen Scholar will include: access to all MPA training courses, networking opportunities, involvement in the MPA Futures Group, access to all MPA Employee Networks, one-on-one support from our membership team, wellbeing programmes, access to work-experience opportunities (where available) and CV/application writing and interview technique support and review.

NXT-Gen membership was created to nurture the next generation of music publishers, offering unparalleled access to publishing communities, networking events, knowledge transfer and career-building resources.

This programme is spearheaded by MPA Richard Toeman Scholarship 2019/20 winner Clare Everson, Senior Creative Manager at Classics & Screen, Universal Publishing, alongside MPA Board member Jackie Davidson MBE of ART Music, both acting as Ambassadors by supporting the NXT-Gen Scholarships.

MPA Board member Jackie Davidson MBE said:
“I am proud to act as an Ambassador for NXT-Gen Scholars, bringing my passion for diversity, inclusion and fairness within the industry to the MPA. We have a disproportionate diversity gap across our sector which needs to be challenged head-on. By creating opportunities at all levels, we will be left with a more insightful industry that considers a range of cultural perspectives. This scholarship will be invaluable to our recipients’ educational, networking and career progression within the field of music publishing.” 

Richard Toeman Scholarship winner Clare Everson said:
“We founded the NXT-Gen Scholarship with the aim of providing opportunities for, and elevating the voices of, those who have been underrepresented in the music publishing industry. Careers in music publishing should be accessible for all, regardless of what means or opportunities have been available to people. This scholarship endeavours to open up networking, learning and support for career progression so that the music publishing industry can in turn benefit from more diverse talent.”

MPA Head of Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Helen Choudhury said:
“We are thrilled to announce that we will be welcoming a new cohort of NXT-Gen Scholars for 2023. This initiative is part of the MPA’s wider and ongoing work to help raise awareness and improve opportunities for all under-represented groups. We warmly thank our MPA Board and wider networks for their continued support with this scheme.”

The application form is available to download and share here.

Deadline for all applications is Thursday 24 August 2023.
Applications are accepted in written, audio or visual formats.

Read more about NXT-Gen Membership here.

[i] Protected Characteristics – equalityhumanrights.com