Eligibility Statement

Application deadlines for the 2026-2027 Grants and Scholarships Cycle are as follows:

November 1, 2026 (by midnight, Central Standard Time): Applications due for Classroom Experience Grant, Madeline Blackadore Dahlburg Memorial Music Education Grant, Professional Development Grants, Philanthropy Grants, Wiese-Abegg Collegiate Chapter Grant, and Haupt Alumni Chapter Grant.

March 1, 2027 (by midnight, Central Standard Time): Applications due for all other grants, scholarships, and awards

All application fees are non-refundable, even in the case of ineligible or disqualified applications.
Applicants must be dues-paying members.
Applicants may apply for more than one grant, scholarship, or award.
Previous winners can reapply to the same grant or scholarship only AFTER three years (in 2026-2027, these are winners from 2023 and prior), unless otherwise noted. Helen Haupt Alumni Chapter Project Grant and the Wiese-Abegg Collegiate Chapter Project Grant winners may apply annually.
A Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation scholarship or grant may only be used to cover eligible expenses as outlined in the budget resources provided under Application Assistance.

Performance

COMMERCIAL MUSIC GRANT ($2,000) To an applicant specializing in commercial music, broadly defined to include any commercial approaches to non-classical styles and genres of popular music (e.g., country, folk, pop, rap, rock, R&B, soul, etc.), musical theater, jazz, gospel, and traditional music. Applicants can be in any field or degree area and can use the funds to support study, research, professional development (e.g., workshops in performance or pedagogy) or other special projects.

MARY ALICE COX GRANT FOR LIFELONG LEARNING ($2,000) To an alumni member, in good standing for 10 years or more at time of application. To be used for continued or renewed development of a mid-career transition in any field of professional music, including but not limited to performance, composition, pedagogy and education, music therapy, music administration, and music technology.

DIVERSITY SCHOLAR GRANT ($2,000) To be awarded to traditionally underrepresented and minoritized populations such as BIPOC, AAPI, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. Applicants can be pursuing one or more of the following: study or research, performance, lessons, workshops, or projects. 2 awards.

EARLY MUSIC GRANT ($1,000) To be awarded to an individual for the study of or a project relating to Early Music. Applicants can be pursuing one or more of the following: study or research, performance, lessons, workshops, or purchase of a period instrument.

BETTYLOU SCANDLING HUBIN SCHOLARSHIP FOR WORLD MUSIC/MULTICULTURAL MUSIC ($2,000) Awarded in memory of Lucie Benefiel Scandling for study, travel, publication, or performance projects involving world/multicultural music.

Instrumental performance

NANCY BROGDEN BOOKER COLLABORATIVE PIANIST AWARD ($1,000) To a member of Mu Phi Epsilon who has demonstrated facility and continued activity as an accompanist for soloists, choral groups, dancers, or others dependent upon keyboard artists for rehearsals or performances.

HELEN HAUPT PIANO SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000) To a pianist.

WIHLA HUTSON ORGAN SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000) To an organist.

vocal performance

BRENA HAZZARD VOICE SCHOLARSHIP ($5,000) To any Mu Phi Epsilon member pursuing vocal study, awarded on behalf of the Los Angeles Alumni Chapter.

LIANA K. SANDIN VOICE SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000) For a vocal project or vocal study.

MIKANNA CLARK TAURMAN VOICE SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000) For study in voice beyond the undergraduate level.

Ensemble performance

JAMES AND LOLA FAUST CHAMBER MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP ($5,000) To a chamber ensemble with one or two Mu Phi Epsilon members (depending on total number of members) demonstrating a performance history of at least two years.

LARGE ENSEMBLE GRANT ($2,000) To be awarded to an ensemble with at least one member of Mu Phi Epsilon involved in the ensemble. Large ensembles must demonstrate a performance history of at least two years. The Large Ensemble shall consist of 11 or more musicians and shall have a separate conductor. Ensembles with more Mu Phi Epsilon members will be considered to be of particular application strength.

theory & composition

ORIGINAL COMPOSITION AWARD DIVISION II ($1,000) Former First Prize Winners in this division are ineligible to re-apply.

ORIGINAL COMPOSITION AWARD DIVISION III ($1,500) Eligible Applicants: Former First Prize Winners in Division I and II categories

Project-Based

HELEN HAUPT ALUMNI CHAPTER PROJECT GRANTS ($2,000) To support one or more special projects undertaken by alumni chapters. Previous winners of this grant may re-apply annually for consideration of a significantly different project. Applications for Alumni Chapter Project Grants are due 11:59pm CST on NOVEMBER 1.

BETTYLOU SCANDLING HUBIN SCHOLARSHIP FOR MUSIC TECHNOLOGY ($2,000) In memory of Lucie Benefiel Scandling for a project or study involving music technology.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT ($2,000) Up to $2,000 to cover expenses related to a professional development opportunity (e.g., conference, workshop, etc.). May not be used for Mu Phi Epsilon International Convention or District Conference. One or more grants available. 2 awards. Applications for Professional Development Grants are due 11:59pm CST on NOVEMBER 1.

LIANA K. SANDIN GRANTS-IN-AID ($2,000) For a specific purpose essential to completion of an exceptional musical project or undertaking well beyond the planning stage. 3 awards.

LIANA K. SANDIN VOICE SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000) For a vocal project or vocal study.

music education

CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE GRANT ($2,000) To assist a professional K-12 music educator for the purpose of enhancing their classroom. Funds must be used to enrich classroom learning through experiential opportunities, such as guest artists and coaches, workshops, festival attendance, collaborative musicians, and/or other special activities. Applications for Classroom Experience Grant are due 11:59pm CST on NOVEMBER 1.

MADELINE BLACKADORE DAHLBURG MEMORIAL MUSIC EDUCATION GRANT ($2,000) For a professional music educator working in a K-12 music program with demonstrated financial need (e.g., Title I school). Funds can be used to enhance classroom activities (e.g., special programs or field trips), cover classroom expenses (e.g., instruments or supplies), or support teacher development (e.g., training or certification). Applications for Classroom Experience Grant are due 11:59pm CST on NOVEMBER 1.

JOHN AND MARY VIRGINIA FONCANNON CHORAL CONDUCTING OR SACRED MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP ($10,000) To support the study of choral conducting or sacred music.

JOHN AND MARY VIRGINIA FONCANNON CONDUCTING/COACHING SCHOLARSHIP ($10,000) To support the study of conducting/coaching.

international study & summer programs

BERNSTEIN-CROSMAN SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000) Piano scholarship for study outside the United States in a country other than the country of the applicant’s birth or citizenship.

MABEL HENDERSON MEMORIAL GRANT FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDY ($2,000) To support study outside the United States in a country other than the country of the applicant’s birth or citizenship, awarded on the basis of high achievement in the applicant’s major field. Applicants must be 21 years of age by time of travel.

ELEANOR B. WEILER and MILDRED B. FRAME PIANO SCHOLARSHIP (Up to $6,000) To support piano study in France (preferably Paris). One or more scholarships available.

ELEANOR HALE WILSON SUMMER SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000) For study at a domestic or international summer music program. Scholarship application may be made before the program acceptance is confirmed. 6 Awards.