Early Music Program Fund
Ends on
Application Deadline: 11:59 p.m. ET, 15 January 2027
Overview
The Early Music Program Fund (EMPF) was established in late 2020 with a founding gift from Margaret Bent. The goal of the fund is to support educational or field-building programming for researchers studying music in the period before c. 1600.
The Early Music Program Fund’s educational programs build, strengthen, and sustain the research skills needed to knowledgeably study, teach, perform, and illuminate music and musical cultures in the period before c. 1600. This includes, but is not limited to, programming focused on paleography, codicology, organology, the archival sciences, the study of musical notation and lexicology, languages and liturgy, and the scribal and material cultures that informed and conditioned the creation, evolution, and dissemination of early music. EMPF field-building programming focuses on strengthening and extending the scholarly and professional networks that support scholars and teachers who work on early music up to c. 1600.
Eligibility
Only AMS-affiliated chapters, study groups, and committees are eligible to submit an application for funding to the Early Music Program Fund. Individuals wishing to propose should partner with an AMS chapter, study group, or committee. AMS chapters, study groups, and committees are limited to a maximum of two proposals per annual grant cycle. To be considered, proposals must either be submitted by a duly elected or appointed leader of the relevant chapter, study group, or committee, or be received along with a letter from such a leader authorizing the proposal submission on behalf of that chapter, study group or committee. Proposals in excess of $3,000 will not be considered. The AMS reserves the right to award less than the requested amount.
Notification and Use of Funds
Applicants will receive a decision notification in mid-March. Funds awarded must be used by 30 June 2028. Recipients will be required to complete a grant report detailing use of funds and providing data on impact.
Application Procedures
All applications for the Early Music Program Fund must include:
- A brief proposal summary (150 words)
- Statements on target audience, anticipated impact, and planned promotion
- A narrative proposal (500 words)
- A project budget (use this budget template)
Important Notes
- Start your application early. You may save an incomplete form and continue later.
- You MUST click the "Submit" button at the end of the form to submit your application. Applications not submitted by the deadline cannot be considered.
- Upon submission of your application form you will receive an email confirmation. You may also view your application by signing into your Submittable account and clicking "My Submissions."
- If you have any questions about your application, please contact the AMS office at ams@amsmusicology.org. For technical questions about Submittable, please visit submittable.com/contact.
Application Deadline: 11:59 p.m. ET, 15 January 2027