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Ralph Mclean Microgrants

Applications for 2026 have now closed

What are Ralph Mclean Microgrants?

Ralph Mclean Microgrants are a Cash for Equity initiative designed to reduce barriers to participation for artists facing disadvantage. You can apply to have your registration deposit or participation fees waived, or for a small grant to cover upfront artist costs that make participation uniquely difficult for you. Open to any artist registering in the 2026 Melbourne Fringe Festival.

About the Opportunity

Ralph Mclean Microgrants are small but meaningful grants aimed at reducing the barriers that make it difficult for artists to participate in Melbourne Fringe. Part of our Cash for Equity program, they're designed to be flexible. You tell us how the support will make the most difference for you.

The grants are named after the late Ralph Mclean, former Chair of the Melbourne Fringe Board and a true champion of access and diversity in the arts. They are made possible by donations from our supporters.

Funds are limited, so please apply for what will make a meaningful difference to your participation rather than the maximum available amount.

Eligibility

The Ralph Mclean Microgrants are open to any artist who intends to register and present an event in the 2026 Melbourne Fringe Festival, of any genre or scale. Priority is given to artists from our communities of focus: First Nations peoples, people of colour, d/Deaf, Disabled and neurodiverse people, and trans and gender diverse people, but the program is open to all artists who have experienced structural disadvantage.

 

What You Can Apply For

There are two types of support available. You can apply for one or both, depending on your needs.

1.    Waived Event Listing Participation Fees

If successful, no deposit will be required to finalise your event registration, and no participation fee will be deducted from your settlement. This is valued at up to $465.
Please note this does not include per-ticket participation fees (also known as inside fees). For more information on registration costs, visit the Resource Hub.

2. Small Upfront Artist Costs

These grants are for costs you experience as an artist that uniquely make your participation in Melbourne Fringe difficult, not production costs or venue hire. Examples include:

•    A fuel bursary for regional or outer-metro artists
•    Late night transport assistance for vulnerable artists
•    Transport to bump your gear in and out if you don't have a car
•    Accessibility needs of your cast and crew

Grant amounts are:
•    Individuals and small groups: $100–$300
•    Ensembles of 4 or more people: $100–$500

A Note on Applying

The pool of funds is limited. Please apply realistically for what will make a meaningful difference to your participation. All recipients will be required to credit the Ralph Mclean Microgrant program in the funding credit section of their event listing.

How to Apply

Applications for 2026 have closed.

Applications in Other Formats

If using Airtable forms isn’t accessible for you, please get in touch. We are keen to understand how to best accommodate your access needs. We can accept applications in a variety of formats, including text documents, video and audio files. We are also happy to work with you on other accessible application processes. We have a great team to support access, so please email [email protected] to start a conversation.  You can also call the Melbourne Fringe office by phone. The Melbourne Fringe phone number is (03) 9660 9600 (available Monday to Friday, 10am-6pm).
We are open to your ideas around process. However, we cannot change the timeframes unfortunately – you’ll still need to get your proposal in by the deadline.

Questions or Enquiries

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact us. You can reach our Artist Services team at [email protected]  
Do you have questions about access or applications in other formats? You can reach our access team at [email protected] 
Alternatively, for all queries you are welcome to phone our office. The Melbourne Fringe phone number is (03) 9660 9600 (available Monday to Friday, 10am-6pm).

Frequently Asked Questions

The Ralph Mclean Microgrants are small grants designed to reduce the barriers that make it difficult for artists to participate in Melbourne Fringe. You can apply to have your event listing fees waived, or for a small cash grant to cover upfront artist costs that uniquely affect your participation. They are part of Melbourne Fringe's Cash for Equity program and are made possible by donations from supporters.

Any artist intending to register and present an event in the 2026 Melbourne Fringe Festival, of any genre or scale. Priority is given to artists from our communities of focus: First Nations peoples, people of colour, d/Deaf and Disabled people, and trans and gender diverse people, but the program is open to all artists who have experienced structural disadvantage.

There are two types of support. For waived event listing fees, the value is up to $465. For upfront artist cost grants, individuals and small groups can apply for $100–$300, and ensembles of four or more people can apply for $100–$500.

Upfront artist costs that uniquely make your participation in Melbourne Fringe Festival difficult, not production costs or venue hire. Examples include a fuel bursary for regional or outer-metro artists, late night transport assistance, transport to bump gear in and out if you don't have a car, or accessibility needs of your cast and crew.

You don't need a completed registration to apply. As long as you intend to register and present an event in the 2026 Melbourne Fringe Festival, you're eligible. Mid-registration is fine!

Yes, all recipients are required to credit the Ralph Mclean Microgrant program in the funding credit section of their event listing.

11:59pm, Thursday 23 April 2026.