Early Music Program Fund
Ends on
Application Deadline: 11:59pm ET, 15 January 2026
Overview
The Early Music Program Fund (EMPF) was established in late 2020 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 knowledgably 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.
2026 Online Annual Meeting
In 2026, AMS Affiliates are eligible to apply for funding from the Early Music Program Fund to organize and host early music-related in-person watch parties and events during the 2026 Online AMS Annual Meeting. The 2026 AMS Annual Meeting will be held virtually on Saturday and Sunday, 14-15 November 2026 and Thursday and Friday, 19-20 November 2026. In order to accommodate multiple time zones, the Annual Meeting schedule will be largely organized around two time blocks: 1) Time Block A (10 a.m.–4 p.m. ET) and 2) Time Block B (6 p.m.–10:30 p.m. ET).
In-person watch events must include some kind of in-person mixer, reception, or other networking event, in addition to one or both of the following elements:
- A watch party organized around a featured session on the online program (to be determined when the program is available)
- A special, locally hosted session that will be streamed or recorded to the rest of the conference
For example, a chapter or study group may apply to host a mixer and in-person watch party of a virtual session; OR a mixer and recorded in-person session/event/performance; OR a mixer alongside both an in-person watch party and a recorded in-person session.
If awarded, EMPF funding may be used to cover a range of expenses associated with organizing the event, including catering, venue rental, speaker fees, videography and technical support, etc. Affiliates who apply are responsible for all onsite logistics as well as the recruitment of participants; however, the AMS Office will promote the event and facilitate attendee sign-ups. EMPF funding cannot be awarded to individuals. Individuals who wish to organize an in-person event as part of the 2026 online AMS Annual Meeting must partner with an AMS chapter, study group, or committee to apply for funding.
Eligibility
Only AMS-affiliated chapters, study groups, and committees are eligible to submit a proposal for funding from the Early Music Program Fund. Individuals wishing to propose should invite the sponsorship of 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 $2,500 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. All funds awarded will be transferred into the sponsoring AMS group's account and payments/reimbursements can be claimed using the Payment Request Form. Funds awarded must be used by 30 June 2027.* Recipients will be required to complete a grant report detailing use of funds and providing data on impact.
*Does not apply for funds to be used for events during the 2026 Online Annual Meeting.
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: 11:59pm ET, 15 January 2026