Independent Project Funding

Independent Project Funding | Running Start Career & Entrepreneurship Office

The College of Music seeks to fund graduate students who are working towards building their brand, business, or future career through project-based work. $600 awards will be given to accepted projects. Ideas could include:

Launch a personal website for teaching/performing/composing

Create a recital series or a concert tour

Commission a work by an emerging composer (or create a commission consortium)

Publish a method book or a collection of your arrangements

Create a music video of your own work or a performance to improve your YouTube channel traction.

Get new headshots or design a logo for your online presence

Learn a new skill like audio editing or e-commerce marketing through an online course

Record a piece, track, or EP for your YouTube or website

Get Suzuki, Dalcroze, Alexander certification

Invest in software or equipment to start a music-related business

Your creative idea here!

To apply: Submit a 250-300 word proposal to henleyem@msu.edu by Tuesday, April 1, 2025, answering the questions:

Describe the project you will work on. What are the goals of your project?
Who is the audience for your project (be specific–who will listen to your music, buy tickets or albums, visit your website? If you are learning something, how will you use it in your performing, research, teaching?)
How does this project advance your long-term career plans?
What will you use the funding for? (please include a short budget that breaks down the cost into categories)
What are the measurable outcomes that you will use to decide whether you have achieved your goals for the project?

Please note: you CANNOT apply for independent project funding to fulfill required degree requirements such as paying performers for a required degree recital. Projects must be completed by Sept. 1, 2025. If you have questions about the eligibility of your project, please contact Emily Henley, henleyem@msu.edu