Scholarship & Grants Database

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS & OPPORTUNITIES-SUPPORTING PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

College of Music Funding

 

Honors College Research Funding
The Honors College Research Fund allows exceptionally talented MSU undergraduates to conduct research in close collaboration with an MSU faculty member or other qualified MSU research sponsor. It is made possible by donations from alumni and other friends of the Honors College and is open to all MSU undergraduates. Proposals from all areas of the curriculum are welcome. Creative projects may also qualify for support if they contain a significant scholarly component.
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate College of Music students in the Honors College
https://honorscollege.msu.edu/programs/HCResFundApp_1.pdf

MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities
Many students, faculty, staff and volunteers receive scholarships and awards each year for their outstanding achievements at the annual RCPD Awards and Appreciation Reception. Scholarship applications and award nominations are welcomed throughout the year, but strongly encouraged between December and February. Visit the Award Recipients page to view past and present award recipients.
Deadline: Rolling (December–February preferred)
Eligibility: MSU students using RCPD services
https://www.rcpd.msu.edu/scholarships

MSU Education Scholarships
However, unless specified by the scholarship criteria, preference in awarding the scholarships goes to: (1) students with a cumulative grade point average above a 3.0, (2) students who will have earned a minimum of 56 credits by the end of the spring semester in which application is made, and (3) students who have been admitted to the College of Education teacher education program
Deadline: February 11, 2024
Eligibility: MSU students accepted into the College of Education
https://education.msu.edu/resources/students/scholarships/

MSU Scholarships listing
A fairly comprehensive list of scholarships for academic tuition only.
Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: MSU students
https://msu.academicworks.com/

MSU Student Services Scholarships
MSUFCU Internship Opportunity Awards, Greek Community Scholarships, LGBT Resource Center Scholarships, MSU Safe Place Scholarship, Recreational Sports and Fitness Services Scholarships, Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities Scholarships, Scholarships for Student Leadership, Scholarships for Student Parents, Scholarships for Student Veterans
Deadline: March 3, 2024
Eligibility: MSU students
https://scholarships.msu.edu/

Council on Korean Studies MSU Asian Studies Center
Moon’s Scholarships, which are awarded by the Council on Korean Studies at the Asian Studies Center, are offered to the two qualified MSU students ($1,000 each). Recipients will be selected based on academic performance and financial need. Special consideration will be given to the students who promoted an understanding of Korean culture.
TO BE ELIGIBLE for a scholarship, an applicant:
1. Must be a full-time undergraduate or graduate student at MSU during the scholarship year.
2. Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
3. Has promoted an understanding of Korean culture through participation in community service, extracurricular or other activities.
Deadline: June 1, 2025
https://cksglobalkorea.wixsite.com/cksmsu

MSU Graduate Student International Student Research
For international research in various disciplines
Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: MSU students
https://www.isp.msu.edu/information-resources/student-funding/

RCAH Graduate Fellowship
The Residential College for Arts and Humanities (RCAH) offers graduate fellowships to students for the following programs:
RCAH Graduate Fellowships in Undergraduate Teaching and Learning
The primary goals of RCAH Graduate Fellowship Program in Undergraduate Teaching and Learning are to provide a diverse cohort of graduate students committed to a career in interdisciplinary undergraduate education with professional development opportunities outside of regular classroom instruction; and to prepare Fellows to make meaningful contributions to the scholarship and/or design of teaching and learning in areas important to RCAH. RCAH Graduate Fellows will be supported in disseminating project results in peer-reviewed journals and venues, at conferences, and will present at year-end symposia.

RCAH Cultures and Languages across the Curriculum (CLAC) Fellowship Program 
Graduate Fellows in the CLAC Fellowship Program focus on the scholarship of teaching and learning in interdisciplinary, translingual, and transcultural settings. Representing multiple MSU colleges, Graduate Language Fellows participate in different components of the RCAH’s Cultures and Languages Across the Curriculum (CLAC) Program. Exploring pedagogical principles and practices of transformational teaching, Graduate Language Fellows may facilitate project-based language immersion sessions (Integrated Language Options) for RCAH undergraduates, collaborate with faculty to bring first-hand cultural insights about specific topics as guest speakers in RCAH courses, or create CLAC-related events for the wider community. Graduate Fellows will be supported in disseminating project results in peer-reviewed journals and venues, at conferences, and will present at year-end symposia.

RCAH Arts and Community Engagement Fellowship Program 
In Fall 2023, RCAH launched the Arts Living Learning Community (LLC). The Arts LLC will serve as the heart of the arts at MSU over the coming years and seeks to fully integrate the arts into the MSU undergraduate experience by creating a non-curricular, living-learning community focusing on socially engaged arts. RCAH Arts and Community Engagement Graduate Fellows will provide support to ongoing community engagement projects and community partnerships, arts programming, and other non-curricular projects, including workshops, co-curricular programming, and access to the University’s extensive arts exhibitions and performances. Graduate Fellows will be supported in disseminating project results in peer-reviewed journals and venues, at conferences, and will present at year-end symposia.

Deadline: March, 2025
Eligibility: Full-time MSU graduate students
https://rcah.msu.edu/news/fellows-call-2024-2025.html

MSU Education Abroad Scholarships
Undergraduates: Scholarships are open to all MSU undergraduate students participating in a credit-bearing education abroad program for which they have completed the appropriate MSU Education Abroad Application.
Graduate students: MSU graduate students applying to join a credit-bearing group program abroad are also eligible; however, graduate students pursuing individual or independent research abroad are not.
Multiple Deadlines:
First-Year Seminar Abroad programs – June 8
Winter Break and Spring programs – October 1
Spring Break programs – December 15
Summer programs- February 15
Fall and Academic Year programs – March 1
Eligibility: MSU students
https://educationabroad.isp.msu.edu/plan/funding-options/scholarships/office-education-abroad-scholarships/

MICHIGAN-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS & OPPORTUNITIES

*Please note, external scholarship links are provided for the students’ reference only. This list of scholarships does not indicate that MSU endorses the scholarship or the entity awarding the scholarship.

Carol Quandt Student Essay Contest (MCEEA Award)
The essay contest is available to all currently enrolled students or graduates who are participating in or have completed a co-op/internship assignment through an Institution of Higher Education in Michigan, or have completed a co-op/internship with an employer located in Michigan. Students are provided an essay topic. A cash prize of $1,000.00 will be awarded to the first place winner.
Deadline: May 1, 2025
Eligibility: Undergrad and graduate students, internships w/ Michigan based employer or university.
http://www.mceea.org/page-1810641

Grand Rapids Community Foundation Scholarships
Variety of scholarships for Kent County residents
Deadline: April 1, 2025
Eligibility: Kent County residents
https://www.grfoundation.org/apply-for-scholarships/general-application

New Graduate Essay Contest (MCEEA Award)
The New Graduate Essay contest is available to students who have graduated (or will graduate) from a Michigan college/university between May of the previous year and May of the current year. Student/graduates must have used the resources offered through the office of Career Services at his/her college/university. A cash prize of $1,000.00 will be awarded to the first-place winner.
Deadline: May 1, 2025
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students, anyone who graduated within year of application deadline (or will graduate that year).
http://www.mceea.org/page-1810641

 

EXTERNAL MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS & OPPORTUNITIES 

American Musicological Society Awards
Awards recognizing work in musicology, LGBTQ studies, performance projects, research, pedagogy.
Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Members of AMS
https://www.amsmusicology.org/page/awards

American Society for Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Foundation Scholarships
ASCAP Foundation Scholarship programs seek to ensure that opportunities for the study of music are available to students at all levels. Unless otherwise indicated, it is the music faculty at each High School, College or University that selects scholarship recipients for their particular school. The scholarship recipient is not selected by The ASCAP Foundation. Check with the financial aid office at your school to see if an ASCAP Foundation scholarship is available and if you are eligible to apply.
Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Varies
https://www.ascapfoundation.org/programs/scholarships

Bold.org
A variety of scholarships, the organization pairs donors with applicants.
Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Varies
https://bold.org/scholarships/diversity-in-music-education-scholarship/

eduPASS
Funding opportunities database for international students studying in the United States. Various funding options include scholarships, grants, fellowships for a range of degree program types.
Deadline: Various, rolling.
Eligibility: International students studying in the United States.
https://www.edupass.org/paying-for-college/scholarships/databases/

Federation of Music Clubs Scholarships & Awards
For students in voice, instrumental music, composition, dance, conducting, handicapped and visually impaired, and music therapy. NFMC also sponsors more than 38 annual and biennial awards for students desiring to attend the 20 sponsored Summer Music Centers.
Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: US citizens
https://www.nfmc-music.org/competitions-awards/

Glenn Miller Scholarships
Awards for college freshmen, instrumentalists and vocalists
Deadline: April 21, 2025
Eligibility: High school seniors and college freshmen interested in music.
https://www.glennmiller.org/scholarship/scholarship-information

Jazz Educators Network Scholarships
Outstanding high school or university students, ages 14 and UP, who in the opinion of his/her peers and instructors, displays an exceptional talent and potential in jazz performance and/or education or industry
–Demonstrates potential for growth, artistic accomplishments and leadership skills
–University students should demonstrate financial need related to college tuition and/or school related expenses
–High School students should use the scholarship award as tuition to attend either a summer jazz camp or college tuition and/or school related expenses
–Must participate in a jazz class or ensemble during the school year after the scholarship is granted
–Must volunteer at the Annual JEN Conference in the year of nomination (students age 18 and UP only).
Deadline: March 31, 2025
Eligibility: Jazz students
http://jazzednet.org/advancing-education/scholarships/

International Student
Database for international students seeking additional funding through scholarships, grants, and other awards. All disciplines and degree types are eligible for a variety of short term and long term funding opportunities.
Deadline: Various, rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: International students currently enrolled in higher education programs in the United States.
https://www.internationalstudent.com/scholarships/US/Music?AwardSearch%5Bdetails%5D=70

Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation Scholarships
The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation will distribute a maximum of $700,000 in an effort to foster and support the next generation of talented musicians, who will continue the legacy of Latin music and its contribution to the world’s culture.
Deadline: April 10, 2025
Eligibility: College music students between ages 17–24 with severe financial needs.
https://www.latingrammy.com/en/cultural-foundation

Music Teachers National Association: Piano Technicians Guild Scholarships
Any piano teacher who has earned MTNA Professional Certification, or MTNA Teaching Specialist designation, and uses a Registered Piano Technician (RPT) can apply for an annual scholarship in the amount of $750 awarded by the Piano Technicians Guild (PTG) to be used specifically for Recreational Music Making (RMM) training, as presented by MTNA. Any piano teacher who has earned MTNA Professional Certification and uses a Registered Piano Technician (RPT) can apply for an annual scholarship in the amount of $1,000 awarded by the Piano Technicians Guild Foundation (PTGF) for furthering one’s teaching skills through continued education and/or performance study.
Deadline: November 1, 2024
Eligibility: Piano teachers with MTNA certification continuing their education.
http://www.mtnacertification.org/resources/piano-technicians-guild-scholarships/

NAfME Scholarships
Scholarships for Collegiate NAfME members.
Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Collegiate NAfME members
https://nafme.org/my-classroom/scholarshipsgrants/scholarship-resources-for-music-students/#college

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Scholarships
For members of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
Deadlines: May 20, 2025
Eligibility: Phi Mu Alpha members in good standing.
https://www.sinfonia.org/2016/03/18/sef-scholarships-applications-now-available/

Sigma Alpha Iota Scholarships
Variety of performance, education, technology, and therapy-based scholarships for graduate and undergraduate students.
Deadline: March 15, 2025.
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate SAI members.
https://www.sai-national.org/philanthropies/scholarships-grants-awards/scholarship-grant-program.html

Sousa–ABA–Otswald Contest
Submissions must be original compositions for band with a completion date no earlier than October 1, 2014 and that have not previously been submitted. No transcriptions or arrangements are allowed, with the exception of works transcribed for band by the composer. $5000 cash prize is awarded to the winner.
Deadline: August 1, 2025
Eligibility: Composers for wind ensemble.
http://www.americanbandmasters.org/sousa-aba-ostwald-composition-contest/

Sphinx Funding Opportunities
Multiple scholarship resources for students from Black, Latin, Asian, and Indigenous communities. Funding opportunities include scholarships, grants, and awards for students in the arts and humanities across all degree programs. Scope of funding duration include short and long term plans.
Deadline: Varies.
Eligibility: Enrolled students, recent alumni, and those involved in careers in the arts.
https://www.sphinxmusic.org/scholarships

Wilshire Quinn Music Scholarship
$10,000 scholarship for students ages 17-24 in music school
Deadline: June 1, 2025
Eligibility: All music students
https://wilshirequinn.com/scholarship/

Women Band Directors International College Scholarships
The Women Band Directors International will award scholarships of various amounts designed to salute the people for whom they are named and to support young women presently preparing to be band directors. Any female student pursuing a degree in instrumental music is encouraged to apply. All completed applications should be typed and sent to the address below.
Deadline: December 1, 2024
Eligibility: Female music education students preparing to become band directors.
https://womenbanddirectors.org/scholarships

 

GRANTS and FELLOWSHIPS

American Chamber Music Players Chamber Music Workshop Grants
Chamber Music Workshops Grants are awarded to non-profit organizations and others that present workshops for adult amateur chamber music players worldwide. Grants are provided to subsidize coaches’ salaries, to reduce registration fees for participants, and to provide scholarships.
Deadlines: April 15, 2018 for projects taking place after May 30, 2018; and September 1, 2018 application deadline for projects taking place after October 15, 2018. The schedule will be revised in 2019 and there will be two deadlines each year: February 1 and August 1.
Eligibility: Individuals and non-profits working with adult amateur chamber musicians.
https://acmp.net/grants

American Chamber Music Players Community Music Grants
Community Music is the largest of ACMP’s Grant Programs. Awards support the continuing learning and instruction in chamber music for musicians of all ages through community-based programs. This funding often makes it possible for students to experience chamber music for the first time and for adult players to continue playing and learning.
Deadline: April 22, 2025
Eligibility: Individuals and non-profits working w/ young musicians.
https://acmp.net/grants

Laura Bassi Scholarship
The Laura Bassi Scholarship was established by Editing Press in 2018 with the aim of providing editorial assistance to postgraduates and junior academics whose research focuses on neglected topics of study, broadly construed, within their disciplines.
Deadline: November 25; March 25; July 25.
Eligibility: Master’s degree theses, doctoral dissertations, and academic journal articles, respectively.
https://editing.press/bassi

Beebe Fund
The purpose of the Fund is to provide fellowships for gifted young musicians, generally performers and composers in classical disciplines, who wish to pursue advanced music study and performance abroad, usually in Europe. Fellowships are generally awarded to musicians based in the United States (although not necessarily U.S. citizens) at the outset of their professional lives, for whom this would be the first extended period of study abroad. A strong, well-planned project of study that will enhance the applicant’s life in music must be proposed. Enrollment in a school or university is not required unless such study is an essential part of the project.
Deadline: December 17, 2024.
Eligibility: Must be under 30 years of age.
http://www.beebefund.org/

CMS Yamaha in Residence Fellowship
The Yamaha Corporation has made it possible for The College Music Society to award an annual competitive fellowship grant to a graduate professional music student pursuing engagement and outreach activities. The CMS-Yamaha In-Residence Fellowship allows a graduate student to create and complete a residency in a community institution, including educational, artistic, and civic enterprises during the subsequent academic year. The fellowship is $2000.
Deadline: May 16, 2025
Eligibility: Graduate music students.
https://www.music.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2457&Itemid=2656

Paul R. Judy Circle Grants
The Paul R. Judy Center for Innovation and Research Grant provides funding for research and projects related to innovative ensembles. Anyone based in North America may apply. A number of Paul R. Judy Circle Grants will be reserved for and awarded to Eastman School of Music students, alumni, and faculty. These awards are available in both research and innovative projects categories, and will comprise no more than 25% of the total grant funds awarded by the program. Grants will range from $500-$2,000.
Deadline: October 1, 2024
Eligibility: North American musicians
https://iml.esm.rochester.edu/prjc/paul-r-judy-center-for-applied-research-grant-program-application/

Alice Ditson Fund
Funding for recording contemporary composers’ new works and organizational support grants
Deadline: November 15, 2024
Eligibility: All music students
https://ditsonfund.org/programs/recording-program

Integrity Arts and Cultural Association: Artist Grant
Small grants of $250. Cannot be used for tuition.
Deadline: Monthly
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students may apply.
http://www.integrityaca.org/grantprogram.html

MOCAD Curatorial Fellowship
Contemporary art or music fellowship awarding $35,000–$45,000.
Deadline: May 11, 2025
Eligibility: Graduate students or recently graduated students pursuing art history or similar field of study.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/files.formstack.com/uploads/2364511/42391762/606568191/42391762_curatorial_fellowship_2020_2021_1.pdf

New Docta Fellowship
Salary of $1000 plus free travel for a week of performing and teaching in Argentina.
Deadline: May 1, 2025
Eligibility: Students between 20–30 years of age.
www.newdocta.org

Puffin Foundation
The Puffin Foundation Ltd. has sought to open the doors of artistic expression by providing grants to artists and art organizations who are often excluded from mainstream opportunities due to their race, gender, or social philosophy
Deadline: December 15, 2024
Eligibility: US citizens and permanent residents.
https://www.puffinfoundation.org/grants-info/

Women Band Directors Scholarships
The Women Band Directors International will award scholarships of various amounts designed to salute the people for whom they are named and to support young women presently preparing to be band directors. Any female student pursuing a degree in instrumental music is encouraged to apply.
Deadline: December 1, 2024
Eligibility: All female music students wanting to become a band director.
https://www.womenbanddirectors.org/awards-grants-scholarships