Music Australia International Conference Contribution - Independent Labels and Distributors Round Four Applications Open Now
Funded by Music Australia. Delivered in partnership with Sounds Australia.
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body.
MUSIC AUSTRALIA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CONTRIBUTION – INDEPENDENT LABELS AND DISTRIBUTORS
ROUND FOUR NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS
The Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR), in partnership with Sounds Australia, is pleased to announce the return of the Music Australia International Conference Contribution (MAICC) – Labels and Australian Distributors Program for 2025/26.
The program is designed to ease the financial burden for selected Associate, Full Label and Australian Distributor members who are attending major international conferences. MAICC funding will financially supported selected AIR Associate, Full and Australian Distributor members wanting to undertake professional development by attending an international trade conference and undertake an invaluable reconnaissance in a specific international territory.
Grants of up to $5,000 AUD are available to selected participants.
Three rounds have already been delivered since the inception of this funding. We are delighted to announce a further three funding rounds have been confirmed for the period of July 2025 - June 2026:
ROUND 4, 2025: Provides funding for conferences occurring anytime between September 1st 2025 - December 31st 2025
ROUND 5, 2026: Provides funding for conferences occurring in 1 January - 31 March 2026
ROUND 6, 2026: Provides funding for conferences occurring in 1 April - 30 June 2026
For details about this program, including key dates, the application process, eligibility criteria and more, please see below. For any further questions, please contact: monica@air.org.au
Round 4, 2025 (Conferences occurring between September - December 2025):
AmericanaFest, Nashville, US (Sept 9 - 13)
AXEAN, Bali, ID (Sept 13 - 14)
Reeperbahn Festival, Hamburg, DE (Sept 17 - 20)
Music Matters, SG (Sept 29 - Oct 1)
Amsterdam Dance Event, Amsterdam, NL (Oct 22 - 26)
WOMEX, Tampere, FI (Oct 22 - 26A)
ROUND 4 APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN
Applications open: Wednesday 2nd July, 2025
Applications close: Monday 28th July, 2025 (3pm AEST)
Contributions of up to $5000 AUD will be awarded to selected Australian-owned and operated independent labels and distributors who have been established for a minimum of two years. Funding will help cover essential costs associated with their attendance and international activity at their chosen event, such as travel expenses, accommodation and event registration costs.
Please note that priority will be given to applicants who have not previously received International conference funding.
For the full terms and conditions, eligibility criteria, and to apply head to air.org.au/maicc
Not already a member of AIR? Find out if you qualify for AIR Label or Distributor Membership HERE