£5,000 Gerry Anderson Music Bursary launched to support emerging musicians in Ulster

Gerry Anderson and Sir Bob Geldof

A new £5,000 bursary honouring legendary broadcaster and music advocate Gerry Anderson has been announced, aimed at empowering the next generation of musical talent from Ulster.

The Gerry Anderson Music Bursary, launched to mark the 10th anniversary of Gerry’s passing, celebrates his lifelong passion for originality, music and championing local artists. The initiative has been developed in partnership with the Oh Yeah Centre, a key institution within Northern Ireland’s music landscape.

The bursary is now open for applications and will award £5,000 to a solo artist or band from Ulster who can demonstrate creative ambition, originality, and a clear vision for how the funding will help accelerate their musical career.

Applications will close on 31 August, with the award set to be made in November 2025.

Gerry Anderson and Charlie Landsborough

Gerry’s son, David Anderson, reflected on his father’s enduring influence, saying:

“We’re proud to celebrate Gerry’s life by supporting musicians who share his passion for creativity and expression. This bursary is about giving artists a genuine boost – just like Gerry did every day on air.”

Designed to be artist-led and light-touch, the bursary can be used flexibly for recording, touring, producing, or promoting original music—echoing Gerry’s supportive and open-hearted approach to music promotion.

David added:

“We’re not just investing in music – we’re investing in future voices and stories that deserve to be heard.”

The bursary is being supported by donations, with a view to expanding its reach in future years. Notably, IMRO (Irish Music Rights Organisation) has contributed £3,000 towards the fund.

The organisers are also encouraging further contributions to extend the initiative’s impact and continue Gerry’s legacy of discovering and nurturing local talent.

Applications are now open and full details can be found at: https://geraldmichaelanderson.com/gerry-anderson-music-bursary/