As the music industry starts to rouse itself from its winter slumber, there’s a fresh wave of opportunities for songwriters of all levels, genres and backgrounds as we kick on into 2026.
Whether it’s that game-changing bit of funding, more hands-on developmental support or getting yourself along to a forward-thinking music conference, there’s plenty out there to get involved with this month.
We’ve pulled together five opportunities for songwriters to check out in February 2026.
Apply for the Hen Hoose Collective x PRS for Music mentorship scheme
The Glasgow-based Hen Hoose Collective has partnered with PRS for Music to launch a new global mentoring programme for women and non-binary artists, songwriters and producers. 10 music creators will be invited to join the scheme and each receive four hours of one-to-one mentoring, with the initiative aiming to connect emerging talent with guidance from across the music industry.
Founded in 2020, Hen Hoose was created in response to gender inequality in the music industry. Now boasting a diverse network of creators, the Collective say they are proud to be able to ‘offer collaborative opportunities and professional development across the UK and Europe’ and ‘champion the next generation’.
Mentorship applications are open from today (2 February) through to 16 February, and you can apply over on the Hen Hoose website. Keep an eye out for more opportunities from Hen Hoose this year, while the Collective’s latest album The Twelve — written and recorded collaboratively by a host of Hen Hoose members on the Isle of Lewis — is out now.
Attend the international music conference FFWD LDN
The annual FastForward music conference will celebrate its tenth anniversary this month with its largest one-day event to date. Over 300 leaders from across the music industry will convene for FFWD LDN at Hackney Church on 10 February, with ‘a unique knowledge sharing and networking experience’ being promised by organisers.
A range of panels, on-stage interviews and quickfire sessions will cover a wide range of current and future issues in the music business, from artist development and discovery through to live music, streaming and industry trends. The day will culminate with networking and drinks, helping you create new connections with a host of artist managers, industry experts and fellow creatives.
Remaining general admission and walk-up tickets for FFWD LDN are available to purchase now.
Explore PRS Foundation’s various funding grants for 2026
Building on their 25th anniversary in 2025, PRS Foundation are heading into the new year with a renewed focus on supporting music creators, funding talent development initiatives and championing new music with their accessible range of funding.
Notable past recipients of PRS Foundation funding include Sam Fender, Little Simz, Ezra Collective, IDLES, English Teacher, Nova Twins, Dave and Kae Tempest — and you could be next.
There’s an array of grants to explore, from the Open Fund for Music Creators, the PPL Momentum Music Fund and the International Showcase Fund through to initiatives like POWER UP, which has championed over 160 Black music creators and industry professionals since launching in 2021. Make sure you dive into the full calendar of funding opportunities from PRS Foundation.
Get involved in Leicester Music Conference
Taking place on 26-27 February and held across two Leicester venues — 2Funky Music Complex and The Venue @DMU — Leicester Music Conference 2026 will bring together music creators, industry professionals and music enthusiasts alike for two inspiring days of knowledge-sharing, networking and live artist showcases.
As well as a strong mix of panels, workshops and demos, there will also be dedicated opportunities to network with industry insiders and fellow attendees. Furthermore, a new addition to the conference this year is the Creative Industries Expo — ‘bringing together music technology, creative industries, education and sector support organisations in one vibrant, open-access space’.
Tickets to Leicester Music Conference 2026 are available now, with free entry to the Creative Industries Expo one such option.
Sign up for music PR support from PR Bestie
If you're an independent artist looking to give your music an extra push, then you may want to check out PR Bestie. A brand new, rolling monthly subscription service from Bristol’s I Heard You Club, the overall aim is to help indie songwriters make more of an impact with their releases through tailored, multimedia PR feedback.
Explaining the vision behind the platform, founder Lily Batten said: ‘We see artists throwing money at things because they feel like they should, not because they understand what they need. There is absolutely a place for PR teams and bigger campaigns, but PR Bestie is about empowering artists before they get to that point so they don't waste their money or their momentum.’
Built by a team with past experience at major labels, festivals and more, PR Bestie could be well worth exploring in February and beyond. Priced at £50 per month, it's now open to independent artists across all genres, with early members being invited to help shape the service as it develops.
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