The Juried Sound Recording: Single/EP program provides 50% of eligible expenses up to a maximum of $25,000 to artists creating new recordings for a single and/or EP format, within a fiscal year. Specifically, 1-6 songs with a combined total running time of under 30 minutes.
This program is designed to augment FACTOR’s current Artist programs as a stepping stone from Artist Development to Juried Sound Recording: Album, as well as addressing that in today’s market, release planning and strategy has evolved. The eligible expenses related to sound recording, marketing, video, radio marketing, and live performance support are flexible with no caps to each component. The desired outcome is a budget that suits the specific project success, as FACTOR understands this may vary depending on artist and genre.
All eligible expenses related to a JSR: Single/EP project must be incurred prior to February 13, 2026.
In order to fill out a Juried Sound Recording: Single/EP application in the FACTOR online system, you will first need a rated Artist Profile and Applicant Profile.
With your Juried Sound Recording: Single/EP application, you must submit:
- 1 MP3 assessment track, with lyrics if applicable
- Track listing for your proposed release(s)
- Current artist bio
- Marketing plan for release(s)
Eligible activities and costs in this program can include expenses relating to Sound Recording, Marketing, Radio Marketing, Live Performance, and Video. There are no caps to individual components as we encourage the best flexibility towards the success of the recording and release plans. All JSR applications must include a sound recording element.
- General Artist
- Record Label 2
- Record Label (Approved)
- Record Label 3
- Artist 2
- Artist (Approved)
Artists rated General and Artist 2 and record labels rated Approved, 2, 3, and 4. For this fiscal year, previous CMC companies onboarding to the Company Envelope: Mid-Tier program may apply.
The February 27 intake deadline for fiscal 2025-2026 has passed.
Note: Artists may only apply to one juried program (Artist Development, Juried Sound Recording: Single/EP, or Juried Sound Recording: Album) being offered for a fiscal year (April 1 – March 31).
The Juried Sound Recording: Single/EP funding contributes 50% of the total eligible budget, to a maximum of $25,000. Funding is paid out 50% on approval, with an optional 25% during project, and the remainder on final completion.
Assessment materials are reviewed and scored by a jury comprised of music industry professionals. The top-scoring applications are then reviewed by FACTOR staff, who assess the eligibility of the projects and costs and make a recommendation to the Board of Directors for their approval. Assessment time is expected to be 8-10 weeks from the deadline and may be affect by volume of submissions and juror availability.
FAQ
Yes, you may be funded in both forms of JSR (Album and Single/EP) up to a combined maximum of three times in the JSR programs’ lifetime.
An artist can be funded three times in Juried Sound Recording – any combination of Album and Single/EP. If a previously JSR-funded artist becomes a band member of a different group seeking JSR funding, it may affect their eligibility. Same would apply to artists funded through JSR in a band project now beginning a solo venture. Contact your Project Coordinator to verify eligibility prior to starting an application.
Yes. However, the FACTOR funded tracks will not be eligible for additional funding in a new project. Contact your Project Coordinator if including previously-funded recordings in a new Album project.
This is available at the portal for the program application.
A record label Applicant may submit no more than two sound recording applications, per deadline, to the JSR program; the applications must be for different artists.
