Applications now open for songwriters and composers at a pivotal career stage.
APRA AMCOS has announced the opening of applications for the 2025 Professional Development Awards (PDAs), offering a significant opportunity for songwriters and composers at a pivotal stage in their careers. The awards will see 13 individual winners each receive $10,000 to support their professional growth.
The funds are intended to facilitate a wide range of developmental activities, including workshops, music education courses, composer seminars, and co-writing sessions, both locally and internationally. Notable past winners include Angie McMahon, Baker Boy, Elsy Wameyo, Gotye, Jem Cassar-Daley, Melanie Dyer, Morgan Evans, Ngaiire, Rebecca Bracewell, and Yirrmal.
2025 Professional Development Awards
- Applications open until 5pm (AEST) on Tuesday 24 September 2024
- Winners announced in early 2025
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Rebecca Bracewell, the 2024 Classical/Experimental Award winner, shared her experience: “Receiving the Professional Development Award has enabled me to broaden the scope of my practice considerably. It was incredibly special to be given the means to determine my own path forward, and so far, I have been able to attend arts residencies, meet and collaborate with amazing artists, and continue to develop my approach to art making.”
Three of the 13 awards will be presented by the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office (NATSIMO), supporting Indigenous music creators at various life stages. Amelia Thompson, the 2024 NATSIMO Youth Award winner, reflected on the impact of the award: “The award allowed me to open doors for my music that I wouldn’t have had otherwise and provide me with a multitude of other opportunities. Being recognised as a musician was so important, and I am still so happy and humbled.”
The award categories include:
- Country/Americana
- Classical & Experimental
- Dance/Electronic
- Hip Hop/Rap
- Jazz and Improvised Music
- Music Theatre/Stage – workshop funding only
- Popular Contemporary (two awards) – includes Pop, Rock, Alternative, Blues, Roots, Folk, Metal, Christian and Children’s
- R&B/Soul
- Screen Composition (Film, TV, Games)
- NATSIMO General – all genres
- NATSIMO Youth (under 25) – all genres
- NATSIMO Senior (50+) – all genres
Karen Don, head of membership at APRA AMCOS, expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming awards: “We’re thrilled to announce that applications for next year’s awards are now open and encourage music creators from all genres to apply. The awards, now in their 14th year, are part of our ongoing commitment to support Australian songwriters and composers through every stage of their career, to help them build a strong foundation and bolster the next generation of Australian music creators.”
Applications close at 5pm (AEST) on Tuesday 24 September 2024. Find out more and apply at apraamcos.com.au
