Open Call: Orchestral Tools Offers Microgrant for Queer Composers

Are you a queer-identifying composer looking to expand your creative practice? Orchestral Tools, a company for high-quality sampled instruments is accepting submissions for their microgrant program. Here is everything you need to know about the application process and some testimonies by artists who previously participated, Portrait XO, Venusloc and Elie Gregory. This fall, OFFKEY is happily co-presenting the open call.

26/10/2026
by OFFKEY Staff

Orchestral Tools is an independent German company that produces high-quality sampled instruments for composers – Hans Zimmer is perhaps their most well-known aficionado. OT have noticed that the composer community is slowly becoming more diverse, but is still hugely imbalanced, and its doors are not always open for queer composers. Encouraged by OT staff members from the LGBTQIA+ community, they have initiated microgrants to provide support and recognition to queer composers. The scheme has been audited by dif e.V. as to promote safe/r space practices.

Grantees 2026

Since January 2025, Orchestral Tools has been openly supporting self-identifying LGBTQIA+ composers of all levels by offering a monthly microgrant. Each grantee will receive a customised package of free licenses, mentoring (remotely upon request, can also be in Berlin studio if they are local), networking (they can ask to be connected to other grantees or join events from OT), and exposure, that will hopefully give their work a boost.

How to Apply

Anyone can apply of any level, any age, gender, any location. Applicants must identify as LGBTQIA+ and be comfortable being represented publicly as part of the queer community. They must have at least 1 scoring credit (film, short film, theater, gaming, commercial ad…) and use VSTs. They should also be interested in using Orchestral Tools libraries and ensure sending all assets in time if selected. Assets include an edited bio, links, photos, interview questions, tracks.

Applicants can send a free form email to microgrants@orchestraltools.com saying they saw the open call on OFFKEY. As this is an ongoing program, submissions are rolling and there is no deadline to apply at the moment.

Find out more via Orchestral Tools website and Instagram.

What Previous Grantees Say

Portrait XO is a trans-disciplinary performer, composer, independent researcher, and data activist working at the intersection of sound, AI, and ecological futures.

The OT microgrant was so great for me to get a deeper understanding of how they build their incredibly rich sounding instruments. I especially love their built-in parameters for Spatial Audio, allowing physical motion across multichannel and immersive layouts. – Portrait XO

The self-taught musician, Venusloc is works interdisciplinary and their work is at home both on music streaming platforms as it is in contemporary art museums. They received the grant in June of last year.

Receiving the OT micro grant was such a level up. The orchestral samples are unmatched in their organic quality, and the Sine player is quite intuitive. – Venusloc

In March 2025, the microgrant went to Elie Gregory, aka Strip Down—a composer, producer, and sound artist, whose work spans from glitchy and abstract multichannel electroacoustic pieces and live electronics to electronica and synthpop.

Having the Orchestral Tools library has been expanding the way I produce. It’s not just orchestras, there are so many samples that spark creativity, redesigning and streamlining contemporary composition and scoring. – Elie Gregory aka Strip Down

If you have any questions, reach out via the Orchestral Tools website.