National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM)

The NAMM Foundation scholarships are awards offered by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) through its Foundation to support students and professionals pursuing careers in the music products industry. Programs include the Lamond GenNext Award ($750), the Bernice Ash Memorial Award ($5,000), the Women of NAMM Scholarship ($1,500), and the NAMM Foundation-CMS Faculty Fellows Award ($500). The Foundation also distributes music program and research grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to organizations.

How NAMM Foundation Scholarships Work

The NAMM Foundation administers several scholarship and award programs designed to support career mobility in the music products industry. Each program targets a specific career stage, from college students to mid-career professionals.

Lamond GenNext Award

The Lamond GenNext Award supports students enrolled in two- or four-year college, university, or technical programs who are preparing for a career in the music, sound, and entertainment technology industry. Recipients can also qualify if they have graduated within the past two years. The award provides a $750 travel stipend to attend The NAMM Show in Anaheim, California. Recipients participate in professional development sessions, networking events, and have access to the tradeshow floor to explore music products, pro audio, and live event technology exhibits.

Bernice Ash Memorial Award

The Bernice Ash Memorial Award provides mid-career professionals employed by a NAMM member company with a $5,000 award to use toward professional development. Recipients also receive an optional $750 travel stipend to attend The NAMM Show and a one-year mentorship through the NAMM Young Professionals organization. This award targets individuals who have already established themselves in the industry and are seeking to advance their careers.

Women of NAMM (WoN) NAMM Show Scholarship

The WoN Scholarship supports women who have at least three years of experience working in the music products industry and seek to expand their leadership and professional competencies. Up to three scholarships are awarded, each providing a one-time stipend of $1,500 to support attendance at The NAMM Show. Priority is given to women who have not previously attended a NAMM Show. Recipients must participate in NAMM Idea Center sessions, NAMM U Breakfast Sessions, three hours of job shadowing with WoN-affiliated leaders, and a year-long mentorship program.

NAMM Foundation-CMS Faculty Fellows Award

This program supports college and university music faculty who develop curricula related to business leadership and innovation in music, pro-audio, and event technology. Selected faculty receive a $500 travel stipend to attend The NAMM Show, a complimentary NAMM Membership, and a show badge.

NAMM Foundation Grants

Beyond individual scholarships, the Foundation distributes music program and research grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to organizations over a 12-month grant period. These grants support music education programs, research initiatives, and general operating support for music-related organizations.

Eligibility

• For student awards: enrollment in a two- or four-year college, university, or technical program (or graduation within the past two years)
• For professional awards: employment by a NAMM member company
• For WoN Scholarship: at least three years of industry experience and NAMM member company affiliation
• Application deadlines typically fall in September, with notifications in October
• The NAMM Show takes place annually in January in Anaheim, California

Real-World Example

A junior studying music business at a US university could apply for the Lamond GenNext Award in September. If selected, they would receive a $750 travel stipend to attend The NAMM Show in Anaheim in January 2026. At the show, they would attend GenNext professional development sessions, network with industry professionals from companies like Fender, Yamaha, and Sweetwater, and explore the tradeshow floor. This exposure could lead to internship or job offers from NAMM member companies, making the $750 stipend a small investment with potentially large career returns.

A woman with five years of experience working at a music retail store owned by a NAMM member could apply for the WoN Scholarship. If selected, she would receive $1,500 to attend The NAMM Show, where she would job-shadow women leaders in the industry, attend NAMM U Breakfast Sessions, and participate in a year-long mentorship program. This experience could position her for a management role or ownership opportunity within the music products industry.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

The NAMM Foundation scholarships are not traditional music performance awards. They target the business and technology side of the music industry. If you are a musician who wants to work in music retail, distribution, manufacturing, or pro audio, these scholarships provide direct access to the industry's largest trade show and networking event.

The NAMM Show hosts more than 100,000 attendees from 120 countries and features 7,000 brands across music products, pro audio, and event technology. Attending as a GenNext or WoN scholar puts you in front of hiring managers from major companies. The Bernice Ash Memorial Award's $5,000 can fund certifications, courses, or conferences that advance your career beyond the NAMM Show itself.

Apply early. Most programs close applications in September, with notifications in October. You need to be a NAMM member or affiliated with a member company for most programs, so check whether your employer or school has NAMM membership before applying.

Related Opportunities

• Music Scholarships Directory for the full list of funding opportunities
• Music Schools Directory to find music business and technology programs
• Streaming Royalty Calculator to estimate your music earnings
• Sync Licensing Directory for opportunities in music licensing
• Visit the NAMM Foundation for official scholarship details and application portals