Running Start Competition

What is your vision for your career as a professional musician?  

Do you have an idea for an innovative project that would give you a running start toward realizing that vision?  Could you use up to $3,000 to turn that idea into a reality? Entrepreneurship in the music industry is HUGE – why not start now?!

The annual Running Start Competition is designed to help students bring creative ideas to life and take charge of their careers. Design a project or a business in music that features creative content, uses a unique model or approach, reaches a new audience, or does something better/cheaper/faster/greener in the world of music. Past ideas have included creating a CD of native Chinese music for piano, founding a percussion summer program, starting a locally sourced and sustainable instrument-building business, and a concert series which merges food with music. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with other MSU colleagues or community partners, sharing their artistry in real-world applications.

Applications are due Sunday, January 4th 2026 by Midnight

Apply HERE
Reference Form

View Application Questions

Competition Rules:

1. Applicants must be undergraduate or graduate students currently enrolled in a degree program at the College of Music.
2. Performers, educators, composers, and scholars are all encouraged to apply as individuals or in groups of up to six.
3. There is no particular type of project in mind. However, projects should demonstrate innovation in content, audience, approach, and method. Past applicants have proposed solo and chamber recording projects, non-profit organizations, performance projects, commissions of new works, music-related businesses, and research; these are just a few possibilities. Projects that carve new professional paths in the music world and/or reach new audiences and communities are especially encouraged.
4. Applicants must choose a category for their project: Commission/Production, New Venture, or Outreach/Engagement
5. Prior year winners and applicants may reapply, however the max funding any student can receive during their time at MSU is $3500.
6. Each project must have 2 completed RSC reference forms from faculty or professionals who can speak about the project.
7. Finalists must be available on February 15, 2026 from 1:00-3:00 PM to pitch their projects to a live audience and judging panel.

The Running Start Competition is made possible with the support of MSU Federal Credit Union and College of Music donors with additional mentorship of winners by the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship

PLEASE NOTE: Running Start Competition awards are released as scholarship. If a student is fully borrowed or has any other issues receiving the funding via scholarship, we unfortunately cannot move forward with reviewing your application or providing funding through this source.