WaterBear Slambarz Community Scholarship 2026
WaterBear X Slambarz Community Scholarship 2026
Now in its third year, the Slambarz x WaterBear Sheffield Community Scholarship continues to support emerging talent from the Slambarz community. Slambarz and WaterBear have once again partnered to offer one outstanding Slambarz artist a fully funded 3-year scholarship at WaterBear Sheffield, starting in September 2026.
The WaterBear x Slambarz Community Scholarship Award 2026 will cover full tuition fees for the duration of a 3-year, on-site BA (Hons) Professional Music degree. Eligible courses include Performance, Production, Electronic Music, Music Business and Songwriting.
Applications for the Slambarz x WaterBear Sheffield Scholarship Award are exclusively open to Slambarz artists, supporting members of the community who are already developing their craft through the programme.
Slambarz is a music events initiative for young lyricists, rappers and producers aged 14–25 from Sheffield and beyond. Founded in 2017 by Dom Heslop and Vicki Morris, it provides a safe, inclusive space for emerging artists to develop their skills, perform, and connect with a like minded creative community. Alongside events, Slambarz delivers youth and community projects that support young people, offering real opportunities in music, from performance and collaboration to hands on industry experience.
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to widening access to music education and supporting the next generation of artists in developing sustainable careers in the music industry.
“We’re delighted to once again partner with WaterBear Sheffield to offer this life-changing opportunity. This scholarship gives one talented Slambarz artist the chance to study a BA (Hons) Professional Music degree with full tuition fees covered. We’re proud to support our artists on their journey and continue our mission to redefine excellence in the industry.”
Dom Heslop, Founder of Slambarz
Scholarship Details
Please complete the form below providing a personal statement outlining your background, your music, and why you would benefit from this scholarship. You should also tell us where you would like to take your music in the future.
Your application can be submitted as either:
- A written statement (approx. 1000 words), or
- A video submission (approx. 5 minutes)
Please include links to at least three filmed or recorded performances. These can be studio or live performances—phone footage is acceptable, provided the audio is clear enough to identify your performance. If submitting collaborative work, please clearly identify your individual contribution.
You must also confirm in your application that you have read and understood the Slambarz Community Scholarship Terms & Conditions (see below).
All completed applications must be submitted by 23:59 on Friday 17th July 2026.
Slambarz and WaterBear will review all submissions and be in contact following the deadline with the outcome of your application.
The 3-year BA (Hons) on-site degrees are designed to give you the perfect blend of artistic freedom alongside practical strategies to forge your own career. The degree is built on three fundamental elements – your music, your career and your projects. It deals with what really matters in the industry. It will expand your options and push you to create original, boundary-shifting music. It’s fully accredited and run-in close partnership with one of the UK’s leading specialist universities for the creative industries, Falmouth University. For details of our 3-Year BA (Hons) Professional Music degree courses please see our BA (Hons) courses here.
Applications to the WaterBear x Slambarz Community Scholarship by students enrolling on a 3-year BA (Hons) on-site degree are subject to the following Terms and Conditions:
The Slambarz Community Scholarship place is available for the start of the 2026-2027 academic year. The successful recipient of the Scholarship award will be selected by an independent industry panel whose decision will be final.
The Scholarship award application is open to new students applying to study the 3-year BA (Hons) on-site degree.
Applications can be submitted until 23:59 on Friday 17th July 2026.
Please read the full Standard Scholarship Terms & Conditions.
Key Information
Applications for the Slambarz x WaterBear Sheffield Scholarship Award are exclusively open to Slambarz artists, supporting members of the community who are already developing their craft through the programme.
Applications Close: 23:59 on Friday 17th July 2026
Slambarz Scholarship Winner 2024
In 2024, the scholarship was awarded to Slambarz artist Lewis Russell, who is now studying Music Business at WaterBear Sheffield. His journey reflects the impact of the award, providing a pathway for emerging artists to progress into higher education and the wider music industry. Read about Lewis’s experience at WaterBear here.
WaterBear X Slambarz Community Scholarship 2026
If you are a Slambarz artist and interested in applying for this scholarship, please complete the application form below. Before submitting, please read the terms and conditions carefully and include all requested information.
If you require any further assistance, please contact the WaterBear enquiries team on
01273 726230 or email [email protected].