AES Educational Foundation Grants are annual awards of $2,000 to $5,000 for graduate students in audio engineering and related fields. They are funded by the Audio Engineering Society Educational Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 1984.
How AES Educational Foundation Grants Work
The foundation awards grants annually to graduate students dedicated to the art and science of audio engineering. Applications open on March 15 and close on May 15 each year. Awards are announced in August.
Applicants must meet three requirements:
- Be a member in good standing of the Audio Engineering Society (any membership grade qualifies, including student membership)
- Be enrolled in a graduate program in audio or a related subject
- Submit three letters of recommendation (two from academic advisors or professors, one from a non-educator professional in the field)
Payment goes directly to the graduate school on behalf of the student's tuition account. Recipients can apply for a one-time renewal after completing at least one year of graduate studies.
The foundation also offers the Mary Lea Simpson Memorial Scholarship for undergraduate seniors. This is the only award that offers tuition remission for the senior undergraduate year. It follows the same March 15 to May 15 application window.
Applicants apply for a general graduate grant. The scholarship committee then selects students who best fit the criteria for named scholarships. Named awards for 2026 include the Garry Margolis Scholarship, the Genelec Mike Chafee Audio Pioneering Scholarship (for women in audio), the Ilpo Martikainen Scholarship, the Olive Award for Excellence in Audio, and the William "Bil" Thomas VornDick Memorial Scholarship.
Since 1984, the foundation has awarded grants to hundreds of students. Many have gone on to prominent careers in the audio engineering industry.
Real-World Example
A graduate student enrolled in a Master of Science in Audio Technology program would apply between March 15 and May 15. If awarded a standard grant of $3,500, the funds would be sent directly to their university and applied to their tuition account. The student could then apply for a renewal grant the following year after demonstrating satisfactory progress toward their degree. Over two years, they could receive $7,000 in total support.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
If you are pursuing graduate studies in audio engineering, music production, or a related technical field, this is one of the most accessible grant programs available. The award range of $2,000 to $5,000 can offset a meaningful portion of graduate tuition. The program is open to students worldwide, not just those in the United States.
Join the AES as a student member first. Student membership costs $50 per year and qualifies you to apply. Prepare your letters of recommendation well in advance of the May 15 deadline. Ask professors and industry professionals who can speak to both your technical ability and your character.
Drawbacks / Things to Consider
Grants are generally in the $2,000 to $5,000 range. This will not cover full tuition at most graduate programs. You must be an AES member to apply, which adds a membership fee. The application requires three letters of recommendation, which takes time to coordinate. Renewal is not guaranteed. The Mary Lea Simpson undergraduate scholarship is only for the senior year and only for North American college seniors. Named scholarships are assigned by the committee, not chosen by applicants.
Eligibility Criteria
- Graduate students enrolled in a master's or higher degree program in audio engineering or a related field
- Must have completed an undergraduate degree (typically four years) at a recognized college or university
- Must be a member in good standing of the Audio Engineering Society (any membership grade qualifies, including student membership at $50 per year)
- Must demonstrate a commitment to audio engineering or a related field as a career choice
- Open to applicants worldwide (no geographic restrictions)
- No age restrictions
- The Mary Lea Simpson Memorial Scholarship is restricted to undergraduate seniors at North American colleges or universities in Audio Engineering or Recording Arts programs, with a minimum GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0
Deadlines and Application Timeline
- Application opens: March 15 each year
- Deadline: May 15 each year
- Notification: Awards are announced in August each year
- For the 2026 cycle, applications opened March 17, 2026 and close May 15, 2026
Past Recipients
| Year | Recipient | Award/Category |
|---|---|---|
| 2026/2027 | Samuel Brian Courtney | Garry Margolis Scholarship (University of Miami) |
| 2026/2027 | Yiping Han | Nancy Flannery Memorial Scholarship (University of York) |
| 2026/2027 | Najla Silmi | Genelec Ilpo Martikainen Audio Visionary Scholarship (University of Rochester) |
| 2025/2026 | Ryan Baker | Garry Margolis Scholarship (Georgia Institute of Technology) |
| 2025/2026 | Devon Green | L-Acoustics Dr. Christian Heil Future of Sound Scholarship (Georgia Institute of Technology) |
| 2025/2026 | Franco Galetto | Genelec Ilpo Martikainen Audio Visionary Scholarship (Middle Tennessee State University) |
| 2025/2026 | Nancy Rico-Mineros | Genelec Mike Chafee Audio Pioneering Scholarship (Stanford University, CCRMA) |
| 2025/2026 | Aoqi Deng | John Eargle Award (McGill University, Schulich School of Music) |
| 2024/2025 | Ryan Baker | Garry Margolis Scholarship (Georgia Institute of Technology) |
| 2024/2025 | Jessica Luo | L-Acoustics Dr. Christian Heil Future of Sound Scholarship (New York University) |
| 2024/2025 | Miles Scharff | Genelec Ilpo Martikainen Audio Visionary Award (Columbia University) |
| 2023/2024 | Colin Raab | Garry Margolis Scholarship (McGill University) |
| 2023/2024 | Jessica Luo | L-Acoustics Dr. Christian Heil Future of Sound Scholarship (NYU Steinhardt) |
| 2023/2024 | Emily Kuo | Genelec Ilpo Martikainen Audio Visionary Award (Stanford University, CCRMA) |
| 2023/2024 | Logan Kibler | Genelec Mike Chafee Audio Pioneering Scholarship (Stanford University, CCRMA) |
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Join the Audio Engineering Society: Become an AES member at any grade, including student membership ($50 per year)
- Enroll in a graduate program: Secure acceptance or have a pending application for graduate studies leading to a master's or higher degree in audio or a related field
- Prepare application materials: Complete the application form available on the AES Educational Foundation website
- Gather three letters of recommendation: Obtain two letters from academic advisors or professors and one from a non-educator professional in the field
- Submit application: Submit all materials between March 15 and May 15 through the AES Educational Foundation website
- Await notification: Awards are announced in August. Payment goes directly to the graduate school on behalf of the student's tuition account
- Apply for renewal (optional): After completing at least one year of graduate studies, recipients may apply for a one-time renewal grant with three new letters of recommendation
Program Videos
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- Music Scholarships Directory
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- Visit AES Educational Foundation to apply
