Successful Applicants 2026

Chair of the trustees Dave Cowing said: “As ever, it has been very hard to choose just four submissions to receive a grant. The quality of the shortlisted finalists was, yet again, very high.

“The four recipients represent just some of the immense talent in the sector. We feel that, as well as having a significant impact on their personal musical development, their projects will bring value to the folk tradition which Alan held so dear.”

Find out more about the 2026 recipients:

Ruairidh Geddes

Ruairidh was awarded £1,935.50 to fund the research and development of a new project with his musical partner Neil Sutcliffe. They will explore land rights and ecology that will form the basis for a new touring programme using music to highlight and advocate for the importance of our connection to the land. This includes the video documentation of the research process.

Ruairidh said:

He said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Alan Surtees Trust for their generous support. This grant allows us to dive into a dedicated research phase in the School of Scottish Studies Archives, looking at historical song and story through the lens of land rights and ecology. It provides a vital stepping stone toward a sustainable and rooted way of music-making, and we are very excited to see how this archival material will shape our music going forward.”

Website | Instagram | Bandcamp

Tommy Khosla

With his £2,000 grant, Tommy will be able a buy a custom SAS-01 semi-acoustic sitar hand built by Klaas Janssens, as well as undertake three days tuition to learn about sitar construction, maintenance and repair – a declining skill in the UK.

Tommy said:

“I am really grateful to the Alan Surtees trust for supporting me to learn more about sitar lutherie with Klaas Janssens in Belgium, as well as getting an electro-acoustic SAS-01 sitar! I couldn’t have done this without the Alan Surtees Trust and am really grateful to be given the opportunity to delve deeper into the workings of the sitar!”

Website | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify

Meriel Paget

Merial’s £2,000 award will enable her to record, mix and master her debut album that will include original tunes and songs in English and Welsh as well reworkings of traditional Welsh material.

Meriel said:

She said: “I am so grateful to the Alan Surtees Trust for this support. This grant will allow me to record and produce my debut album, which features original tunes and songs alongside reworkings of traditional Welsh material. Receiving this funding feels transformative for my creative career, enabling me to take the next significant step after graduating. With the Trust’s support, I am able to bring this project to life alongside musicians and collaborators I admire, and share my music with new audiences. I’m very excited to begin working on this project.”

Instagram | YouTube | Bandcamp

Ned Swarbrick

Ned Swarbrick was granted £2,000 towards the recording, mixing and mastering of his debut album of original songs.

Ned said:

“I’m absolutely over the moon to have received this grant from the Alan Surtees Trust. It will enable me to fund the recording and production of my debut album of original songs rooted in contemporary acoustic folk music, reflecting my love of literature, storytelling and tradition. To date, much of my work has been centred around solo live performances and self-produced releases. However, this amazing opportunity will allow me to collaborate with other young folk musicians, to bring my songs and stories to life – and hopefully make them more accessible to a much wider audience. A huge thank you to everyone at the Alan Surtees Trust for supporting my work and the work of other young artists.”

Website | Instagram | YouTube | SoundCloud | Spotify