Melbourne Fringe Festival has opened applications for its 2025 Fringe Fund program, offering cash injections for artists across multiple categories and experience levels.
The program aims to support independent creatives with bold artistic ideas while removing barriers to participation, particularly for artists from marginalised communities.
For those unfamiliar with the Fringe Fund, the initiative embodies Melbourne Fringe’s ongoing commitment to access and equity by providing a platform to amplify voices from communities on the margins.
Melbourne Fringe Festival
- Melbourne Fringe Festival 2025: 30 September – 19 October 2025
- Application deadline (most grants): 11:59pm Sunday 30 March 2025
- Radical Access Commission deadline: 11:59pm Sunday 9 March 2025
Check out our gig guide, our festival guide, our live music venue guide and our nightclub guide. Follow us on Instagram here.
View this post on Instagram
This year’s funding opportunities include four major grant categories catering to different artistic needs and backgrounds.
The ETU Commission offers a substantial $20,000 for ambitious producers with shows ready for a three-week run in a 150-200 seat venue. This grant targets mid-career and established artists with a proven track record of creating high-production value, tourable work capable of competing in the national performing arts market.
For emerging talent, the Fringe Programmed Venue Commissions provide $2,500 grants specifically for artists who are First Nations, d/Deaf, Disabled, People of Colour, and/or transgender to create new works for the Festival Hub at Trades Hall or Meat Market.
The Cash to Create program returns with commissions ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 for Victorian artists across all artforms premiering new works at the festival. The base funding of $10,000 can be supplemented by an additional $2,500 to $10,000 for particularly ambitious projects requiring extra investment, such as comprehensive accessibility plans or presenting in unique venues.
Perhaps most significant is the Radical Access Commission, offering $40,000 to an experienced d/Deaf, Disabled or Neurodivergent artist to create a new work for the Radical Access program. This opportunity seeks ambitious and innovative projects that engage with accessibility, inclusivity and cultural equity.
The festival is emphasising an earlier-than-usual opening date for Festival Hub expressions of interest, providing unsuccessful applicants more time to secure alternative venues following the selection process.
Fringe Fund information packs containing full application details for each opportunity, along with FAQs and submission guidelines, are available on the Melbourne Fringe website.
For more information, head here.
