Applications are now open for the 2025 APRA Professional Development Awards. The awards exist to support songwriters and composers in their creative development.
Five awards will be given out, with each recipient receiving a $10,000 cash prize. Funds will help recipients attend workshops, music education courses, composer seminars, co-writing sessions, mentoring opportunities and other relevant activities – locally or internationally.
"Knowing I have the funds to put towards my own music and skill development broadened my thoughts and beliefs about what is possible, the blocks that were previously there about what I can do and achieve have disappeared." (Byllie-Jean, 2023 recipient).
Dream big. Think beyond your regular activities of recording, releasing, and touring, and more about how you can take your songwriting or composing practice to the next level. Your plans to do not need to align with any commercial outcomes, and you are welcome to use the award prize as a contribution or co-investment in your particular creative development plans.
You can read all about the awards, the past recipients, and what they did with their grants here.
Please make sure you read the terms and conditions and FAQs before applying.
Applications close 5pm Monday 7 April NZST
Note: the awards are not intended to fund tours, recording, publicity, music videos, or ad campaigns. They are intended to support your creative development to become a better songwriter/composer/musician/artist through education, collaboration, and opportunities to be mentored or trained.
What are the Professional Development Awards for?
The Awards are intended to help emerging songwriters/composers attend songwriter workshops, music education courses, composer seminars, participate in co-writing opportunities and attend other relevant activities either domestically or internationally. Activities that will develop their career in songwriting/composing.
Can I use it to fund our next album?
The Professional Development Awards are not intended to fund recordings, nor are they intended to fund the purchase of gear for recordings – please consider this before applying.
Can I use it to help promote my work – publicity / music video / advertising campaigns?
No. The Awards are intended to develop your skills as a songwriter or composer, not to pay for professional services to promote your work.
I'm an artist manager. Can I submit an application on behalf of a songwriter I represent?
You can, but please ensure that you complete all fields with the writer's name and details, not yours. We do also want to hear directly from our writer members about how an Award will support their development, so the responses should come from them.
Do I apply for the PDA in New Zealand or Australia?
As an APRA AMCOS Member you can apply for either – dependant on where you are a legal resident. As an example: To enter the New Zealand 2025 PDAs, you must be a citizen or a legal resident in New Zealand for a minimum of 2 years on 1 January 2025.
I've already released an album and/or have a record deal. Can I apply?
You sure can. The Professional Development Awards are intended to help songwriters and composers move into the next phase of their musical careers. Make sure you use your application to tell us how winning will help you do this.
Is my information secure online?
The PDA application form and all submitted materials are held securely for the duration of the judging process on a highly secure server that ensures privacy and security for all APRA AMCOS data. Your application will only be viewed by select APRA AMCOS staff and the Judging Panel.
Why do I need to provide a bio and photo?
This information may be published online and/or in print if your application is shortlisted and/or you are a winner.
I am in a band – can the band submit an application?
Applications are only available for individual songwriters – although the band’s music can be considered, the individual songwriter’s application responses will be considered alone. Additionally, the funds will be provided to the individual alone.