NAMM Foundation announces Music Research Grants

The NAMM Foundation's Music Research Grants aim to support innovative studies that advance music education, music-making, and workforce development within the music industry. As part of its broader Global Grantmaking program, the foundation seeks to improve practices and increase both public and private sector resources to support lifelong music engagement and professional opportunities in music. The foundation has a long-standing history of investing in the music sector, having awarded over $20 million to nonprofits and research projects that align with its mission. The foundation funds three types of grants: Music Program Grants, General Operating Grants, and Music Research Grants. The Music Research Grants are specifically targeted at research initiatives in the United States and are designed for organizations and investigators with a demonstrated track record. These projects must not duplicate existing research and must propose a clear, well-specified analytical model and research questions. All research should aim to enhance the field of music education or workforce development and must be based in the U.S., with international and government agencies being ineligible. Applications for the 2025 Music Research Grant cycle open on April 1, 2025, and close on June 6, 2025. This is considered Round 1 of the two-stage application process. Selected applicants will be invited to proceed to Round 2 on August 8, with virtual site visits to be completed by August 29. Final award notifications will be issued by September 30. Interested applicants are encouraged to begin with a short eligibility quiz through the foundation’s Cybergrants Portal and are advised to review the application guidelines carefully before submission. The grant program prioritizes two major themes: Participatory Music Making and Career Mobility in Music. The former involves high-quality, hands-on music training that fosters lifelong engagement in music, while the latter supports workforce development for underrepresented groups in various segments of the music industry, including production, education, performance, and music technology. To ensure a robust and competitive application, the foundation provides a downloadable application PDF and hosts two virtual information sessions on March 5 and March 19 at 9:30 a.m. PT. These sessions are intended to guide applicants through the process and help them align their proposals with the foundation’s goals. Key criteria for evaluation include alignment with funding priorities, the significance of the addressed issue, the quality of the proposal and budget, and the stability of the organization.