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We're inviting four creators from the UK and Germany to create new collaborative works for radio broadcast. 

This is a continuation of the British Council's work with Sound and Music (UK). In year one (2025-26), the programme supported collaborations between artists from the UK and listed ODA-countries to work in cross-cultural pairs. Now, in year two, four UK/Germany pairs will join six more UK/ODA-country pairs to create a cohort of ten creators. We will be introducing structured legacy deliverables that extend the impact of each commission beyond the original broadcast.

Creators will receive commission and production fees, as well as a fee to support the delivery of a legacy outcome. They will also benefit from ongoing online one-to-one and group sessions with UK-based facilitator Dawn Scarfe, and the Sound and Music team, for the duration of the three-month programme. Year two adds a new dimension: each creator will be supported to develop between one and three legacy outputs tailored to their practice and local context, such as educational workshops, local showcase events, extended EP releases or documentary films. 

  • Find out more about the first year of Sounds Unseen here.
  • For a full overview of Sounds Unseen, including the programme structure and fees, please read the creative brief here.
  • For a full list of frequently asked questions, please consult this list here. 

 

 

Each creator will receive:

  • £1,500 commission fee
  • up to £200 for production expenses
  • up to £500 towards legacy outcomes
  • four online group sessions with UK-based facilitator
  • three online sessions with a CPL* (in pairs)
  • two online sessions with a CPL* (one-to-one)
  • peer support from the international Sounds Unseen creator community
  • the opportunity to develop their artistic portfolio
  • radio broadcast premiere
  • access support (if required).

* A CPL is a Creative Programme Leader – a dedicated member of the Sound and Music team who supports creators throughout their journey on the programme. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In order to be eligible, creators must be: 

  • aged 18 or over on 14 October 2026
  • based in Germany or an ODA-listed country (listed below)
  • have an artistic practice working creatively with sound and/or music (any genre)
  • open to collaborating with a creator they have not met or worked with before
  • enthusiastic about developing new work in a cross-cultural context
  • curious about creating work for radio broadcast
  • available for all online sessions (on the dates listed below). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creators will need to be available for the online sessions taking place on the dates listed below. Times for these sessions will be agreed with selected creators and may vary to accommodate different time zones. The specific dates for the activities taking place in March 2027 will be confirmed in conversation with selected creators and programme partners. 

Please note that if we receive an extraordinarily high number of applications, we may adjust the selection timeline accordingly. 

  • 16 Septmeber 2026: Applications open (ODA countries and UK) 
  • 14 October, 23.59 (BST): Application deadline 
  • 21 October, 23.59 (BST: Access extension application deadline 
  • 22 October – 10 November: Selection 
  • 11 November, 18.00 (GMT):Applicants notified with the outcome of their application 
  • 23 November: Meet the team: Sound and Music; British Council 
  • 25 November: Online Session 1: Induction 
  • 9 December: Online Session 2: Collaboration 
  • 13 January 2027: Online Session 3: Collaboration 
  • 3 February: Online Session 4: Reflection and next steps 
  • 24 February: Radio commissions completed 
  • March: Public broadcast on the radio 
  • March: Legacy deliverables developed and delivered 
  • March: Online Session 5: Evaluation 

 

 

 

 

 

 

German applicants:

Creators based in Germany can apply directly via an open call process. Applicants will be shortlisted by members of the Sound and Music and British Council teams. Here's the application form.

UK applicants:

The UK call is only open to eligible Sound and Music alumni.  You are eligible to apply if you: 1. Have previously participated in, but are not currently on one of Sound and Music's programmes or commissions. 2. Have received one of Sound and Music's funding awards. 

 

 

 

 

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact the respective person below.

UK: Sofi Nowell, Senior Creative Programme Leader, Sound and Music.

Germany: Shannon-Latoyah Simon, Relationship Manager, Music, British Council.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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