Entries have opened for the annual UpStart Award, closing at midnight on August 31.

The UpStart Award is an annual grant for emerging Victorian singer-songwriters. Each year the winner of the award receives a grant of $10,000, with 2nd place receiving $3000 and 3rd place receiving $2000. The remaining 7 artists, who make up the top 10, will receive a grant of $1000. The award is funded by a music loving family in Melbourne and the winner will be decided by a panel of local artists and music experts.

You might still be busking, you may have recorded a few tracks or you might be playing pub gigs; but you’re not on the map yet.

The award will be adjudicated by a panel consisting of Victorian artists Angie MacMahon and Shane Howard, and a range of industry experts from community radio, retail and streaming services.

Applications close at midnight on August 31. The winner will be announced in mid-November.

All entries should be sent to  .

For more details and info on who can enter, head to upstart.org.au.