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Giving & Alumni
College of Music
Giving & Alumni
College of Music

Student Resources

Find Funding Outside of MSU College of Music

Find more funding options through the databases and organizations outside of the College of Music and MSU below.

MSU Libraries provide information for students seeking comprehensive lists, networks, and agencies for funding opportunities across a multitude of degree tracks and career paths.

MSU Library Resource Guide for Grants
Find grants and related sources for funding research projects and professional development opportunities. Informational guides and instructional tutorials readily available.

MSU Library Resource Guide for Grants – Crowdfunding Resources

MSU Registered Student Organization (RSO) funding, as well as specific funding are listed in detail in the resource guide below:

RSO Start Up Funding
Information on starting a RSO, regulations, and funding processes.

RSO General Funding 
Information on general funding for RSO materials such as equipment, transportation, venue expenses, and more.

Student Programs Funding Resource Guide
Information on funding through ASMSU, COGS, RHA, Owen Graduate Association, UACOR, Residential & Hospitality Services, and MSUFCU Community Sources opportunities.

Council of Graduate Students (COGS) funding opportunities for hosting events, attending and presenting at conferences, and general professional development support:

COGS Event Funding
Information for graduate students interested in hosting one or two events per academic year for professional development and community engagement. Awards available up to $1,500 for single-event and collaborative hosting expenses, and individual awards of $150 for general support for events.

COGS Conference Funding 
Information for graduate students seeking assistance for conference attendance and presentations. Awards available up to $300.

COGS Professional Development Support
General information regarding professional development. Awards of available up to $500.

The MSU Office of Research and Innovation

MSU Internal Funding Opportunities
Internal grants available through MSU, their schedules of application windows and disbursements of funds, and processing information.

External sources of funding opportunities can be found include the following:

Grants to encourage and improve public knowledge and appreciation of contemporary American music. For living composers, performers, presenters, music service organizations, and more.
The Adolf Busch Award celebrates outstanding achievements that creatively and courageously promote a more civil and just society through music. Organizations must be a US-based 501(c)3.
 Grant program for supporting musical projects between French and American artists and ensembles.
Alice M. Ditson Fund
Grants organization for funding opportunities that support contemporary American art music.
ACF will select five early career music creators based in the state of Minnesota or the five boroughs of New York City to receive commissioning funding for the creation and presentation of a new work.
American Council of Learned Societies 
Financial support for individuals and organizations in the arts and humanities. Eligible candidates include undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral, and faculty members in higher education institutions. Funding subject to scope and range.
American Guild of Organists
Various scholarships for organists ranging from $10,000 to $32,000.
Each year, approximately 10 ensembles of three to five musicians working in traditional American genres are selected to conduct regional cultural exchange tours in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Central and South America, and the Middle East for approximately one month.
American Musicological Society
Grants and funding opportunities for those interested in continuing academic and field research in the arts and humanities. Awards range from $1,000 for short term projects to over $50,000 for residential endeavors. Eligible candidates include undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral scholars in the arts and humanities.
Grants and donor support for music therapy initiatives.
Grants to encourage the performance of contemporary music by nonprofit organizations.
Funding opportunities for songwriters, composers, and arrangers.
Boren Awards
Funding opportunities for intensive study of language and culture abroad by U.S. undergraduate or graduate students. All eligible applicants have the option to either apply for a Regional Flagship Language Initiative or select and design their own study program.
Funding opportunities and awards for small ensembles, presenters, commissioning, and more.
Provides matching grants of up to $5,000 to schools or nonprofit organizations to incorporate fine string instruments into their music programs.

D’Addario Foundation
Funding for music education non-profit organizations.

Davidson Institute
Large financial awards to highly gifted musicians 18 years of age and younger.

Fulbright Program
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program expands perspectives through academic and professional advancement and cross-cultural dialogue. MSU Fulbright Office liaison located in International Studies & Programs requires additional applications for enrolled students, recent alumni, and current scholars employed by the University. Please connect with Joy Campbell at ISP for additional information.

Fund For Education Abroad
The FEA is a non-profit organization that provides scholarships and ongoing support to students with financial need who are seeking to continue their education abroad. All degree and program types are eligible to apply for Summer, Fall, and Academic Year application cycles.

Grammy Museum Grants Program

Grants for individuals, organizations, and research projects.

The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America 

Grants and funding opportunities for carillon students, performers, research, and composers.

Guitar Center Music Foundation

Instrument grants and donations to school and music education programs.

Independent Society of Musicians
Database of grants, awards, and funding for studying music in the United Kingdom and European Union. All degree programs and scope of research are eligible.

International Scholarships
Database for funding opportunities per field and country of study.

J Dilla Music Technology Grant
The J Dilla Music Technology Grant focuses on learning through innovative technology, tools, and curriculum for grades 9-12 in public school music programs. This grant works in partnership through Save The Music Foundation, whose mission is connecting schools and their local communities through innovative and sustainable music program resources. The Foundation also offers a multitude of grants that vary in scope and interval.

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Applicants of all majors and degree programs are welcome to apply. Funding varies per field.

Mario Lanza Institute & Museum
Scholarship and foundation for vocalists ages 21 through 28. Awards range from $1,000 to $2,000.
Mid Atlantic Arts
Funding for artists and organizations, some touring assistance.
Grants for 501c3 organizations, fiscal sponsorship services, and nonprofit organization mentorship opportunities.
MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) Community Funding Source
Requests for donations to support projects and research endeavors are available through MSUFCU. Projects and research music align with MSUFCU pillars for supporting area of Arts & Culture, Stable Housing, Empowering Youth, Financial Education, and Fostering Entrepreneurialism. Requests are reviewed on a monthly basis.
Funding opportunity listings and ideas for music educators.
One-time financial assistance grants open to professional musicians across all genres. If you are a professional musician in a specific time of need, please explore below to see if you might qualify for a financial grant to pay an essential bill. See eligibility requirements.
Program development grants, Community engagement grants and professional development grants. Additional funding opportunities for members and non-members.
Individual grants for orchestra auditions.
Grants for music programs with 501 (c)(3) nonprofit status.
National Endowment for the Arts
Awards, fellowships, scholarships for students, faculty, and scholars in the arts. Funding opportunities very per scope and field of research. Individuals and organizations are both eligible to apply.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Awards, fellowships, scholarships for students, faculty, and scholars in the humanities. Funding opportunities for varying lengths and scopes of field research. Individuals and organizations are both eligible to apply.
New Music USA offers funding and development opportunities to individuals and organizations undertaking imaginative work in film scoring and new music.
Grants and funding for opera companies and individual artists, composers, and librettists.

Paul R. Judy Center Grant
Funding for innovative research and projects in music hosted by Eastman School of Music. Eligibility rotates between affiliates of ESM and other US-based applicants.

The Presser Foundation

Grants for 501(c)(3) public charities, fiscally sponsored organizations/programs, and supporting organizations in the Greater Philadelphia region.

Society for American Music 
Awards, fellowships, and subventions for scholars of American music. Funding ranges from $1,000 to $4,000.

Society for Music Theory  
Grants, scholarships, and awards for music theorists in various stages of their education and career.

SouthArts
Grants and opportunities funded by regional arts organizations for artistic projects, residencies, and engagement.

Southwest Michigan Jazz Society 
Scholarship funding for students in pursuit of jazz education.

Not finding what you need? Want to search for funding tied to specific industries, causes, or otherwise? 

Set up an appointment with Emily Henley via Handshake or email (henleyem@msu.edu)!