The Ivors Academy has announced a new multi-year agreement with longstanding partner PRS for Music, who will be title sponsor of The Ivors Composer Awards alongside its support of the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award. This new agreement signifies a shared commitment to celebrate composers and raise the profile and value of contemporary composition.
The Ivors Composer Awards 2026 will take place at Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London, on 17 November, in a brand new ceremony. Nine Ivor Novello Award categories will celebrate composition across live performances, commercial recordings, community engagement, film, television and video games, in addition to five Gift of the Academy Awards, including the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award with PRS for Music. The nominated categories celebrate music composed by British, Irish or UK resident composers that was heard by UK audiences for the first time during various eligibility periods.
Lord Neri, CEO of The Ivors Academy said: “PRS for Music is an important partner in delivering our commitment to protect, empower and celebrate composers at every stage of their careers and across every form of composition. Their support for The Ivors Composer Awards elevates the recognition of the extraordinary breadth of composing today and helps ensure composers receive the celebration and support they deserve."
Daniel Lewis, Relationship Manager – Classical, PRS for Music, said: “The Ivors Composer Awards is a valuable public opportunity to recognise the craft of composition in all its forms: whether it’s a classical composer who challenges conventions of musical form, a video game composer who builds immersive worlds, or a screen composer who brings film and television programmes to life. Composers make an enormous contribution to the cultural life of the UK, and we are proud to champion them alongside The Ivors Academy.”
The Ivors Composer Awards will be part of The Ivors Composer Week, taking place from 16 to 20 November, which will broaden the celebration and empowerment of composers further.
The first Ivors Academy Composer Summit on 18 November, at the Royal Institution London, will provide a day of practical knowledge, creative inspiration and meaningful connections for composers working across all genres and disciplines.
The PRS for Music sponsorship has facilitated The Ivors Academy’s bursary scheme which supported composers facing financial barriers to enter their work for consideration without an administration fee. The bursary was open to all members of The Ivors Academy, including composers on the free Discovery tier. In 2026, 22% of entries were made using the bursary.
