Presser Foundation Music Award

The Presser Foundation Music Award is a US-based recognition program for outstanding undergraduate and graduate music students at participating institutions. The Undergraduate Scholar Award provides $3,000 to a music major in their final year of undergraduate study, nominated by their institution's music faculty. The Graduate Music Award provides up to $10,000 for a project-based proposal from a designated graduate student. Both awards are by invitation only: the Foundation selects participating institutions, and those institutions nominate students. Recipients of the Undergraduate Scholar Award are designated as Presser Scholars. In 2025 to 2026, the Foundation approved 265 Undergraduate Scholar Awards nationwide, distributing nearly $800,000.

How the Presser Awards Work

The Presser Foundation is one of the few US foundations dedicated solely to the support of music and music education, providing approximately $2 million in awards annually. The Foundation operates two student-facing programs alongside grants to music organizations and retired music teachers.

Undergraduate Scholar Award

• Award amount: $3,000 (varies slightly year to year based on available funds and number of approved awards)
• Eligibility: Full-time or part-time undergraduate music major in their final year of study at a participating institution
• Selection: Nominated by music faculty at the institution. The Foundation must approve the nomination.
• Deadline: December 1 (institution submits nomination via the Foundation's grant management system)
• Notification: February 1
• Institution selection: The Foundation selects which institutions participate. Schools that have received the Award before do not need to reapply. The Foundation has expanded to include Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Tribal Colleges.

Selection Criteria for Undergraduate Scholar Award

The nominated student must:

• Be currently enrolled as a full-time or part-time undergraduate music major in their final year
• Have achieved a high level of musical and academic excellence
• Have demonstrated leadership and service through formal or informal roles within the music program, institution, and community
• Have contributed to an inclusive community
• Agree to be nominated and be eligible to accept award funds (not exceeding financial aid limitations)

The Foundation prefers that the award go directly to the student and not replace or offset existing financial aid or music scholarships from the institution.

Graduate Music Award

• Award amount: Up to $10,000 (project-based)
• Eligibility: Graduate student designated by an invited institution, based on a suitable plan prepared by the nominated recipient for use of the funds
• Selection: Institution nominates a student with a project proposal
• Deadline: By invitation
• Notification: November 15

2025 to 2026 Undergraduate Scholar Award Cohort

The Foundation approved 265 recipients for 2025 to 2026, distributing nearly $800,000. The cohort includes classical virtuosos who have won national competitions, jazz artists who have released professional albums, future educators designing disability-accessible programs, first-generation college students, and musicians who have taught in underserved communities. Each received $3,000.

Spotlight: Nathan Asher (2024 to 2025 Recipient)

Nathan Asher received the 2024 to 2025 Undergraduate Scholar Award from Appalachian State University after earning a degree in Music Industry Studies with a concentration in recording and instruction. Asher used the award funds to purchase a used Lyon and Healy Semi-Grand 85E pedal harp, having only begun harp studies in their sophomore year using a university-owned instrument. With the purchased harp, Asher performed across Boone, North Carolina, with their band Pansy Club, in chamber ensembles, and with the Appalachian Symphony Orchestra.

Asher also interned with We Are Moving The Needle, a nonprofit that supports women, nonbinary, and trans producers and engineers through scholarships, mentorships, research, and advocacy. This example illustrates how the Presser Scholar Award functions in practice: the $3,000 goes directly to the student for whatever purpose they choose, whether that is purchasing an instrument, funding a recording project, or supporting career development.

Graduate Music Award Featured Projects

The Presser Foundation publishes featured stories from Graduate Music Award recipients on its website. Past projects have included:

• Recording original orchestral works with professional musicians
• Field research on regional music traditions
• Commissioning new compositions from emerging composers
• Developing community music education programs for underserved populations
• Creating accessible music programs for students with disabilities

Each graduate project is designed by the nominated student and submitted through their institution. The Foundation reviews proposals for their potential contribution to the field of music.

Real-World Example

A senior music education major at a participating university could be nominated by their music faculty for the Undergraduate Scholar Award. The faculty would submit the nomination through the Foundation's grant management system by December 1, documenting the student's musical and academic excellence, leadership roles (such as section leader in the university orchestra or founder of a community outreach program), and contributions to an inclusive community.

If approved by the Foundation, the student receives $3,000 at the end of their final undergraduate year. The funds are unrestricted: they can be applied toward tuition, a new instrument, summer festival tuition, graduate school audition travel, or enrichment opportunities not normally provided in a university setting. The student is publicly designated as a Presser Scholar, which carries recognition value on resumes and graduate school applications.

A graduate student at an invited institution could be nominated for the Graduate Music Award with a project proposal. For example, a doctoral candidate in composition could propose using $10,000 to fund a recording of their original works with professional musicians. The institution nominates the student and the project plan, and the Foundation reviews the proposal for suitability.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

The Presser Scholar designation is a recognized honor in US music academia. It signals to graduate programs, employers, and grant committees that you were selected by your faculty as the outstanding music major in your graduating class. At institutions with large music programs, this is a meaningful distinction.

The $3,000 undergraduate award is modest compared to awards like the Avery Fisher Career Grant ($25,000) or Naumburg first prize ($25,000). But the Presser Award targets a different population: undergraduate music majors at any participating US institution, not just elite conservatory students pursuing solo careers. If you are a music education major, a jazz studies student, or a composition undergraduate at a state university, the Presser Scholar Award is one of the few national recognition programs available to you.

The Graduate Music Award's project-based structure is useful if you have a specific creative or research project that requires funding. The $10,000 can support recording projects, field research, commissioning fees, or conference participation that your institution does not cover.

Things to Consider

• By invitation only. You cannot apply directly. Your institution must be selected by the Foundation to participate, and your music faculty must nominate you. If your school is not a participating institution, you are not eligible.
• Faculty nomination required. The award goes to the student the music faculty chooses. This means your relationship with your professors and your standing within the music program matter. A transfer student or a student who is not active in departmental activities may be overlooked regardless of musical ability.
• Final year only. The Undergraduate Scholar Award is for students in their final year of undergraduate study. You cannot receive it as a freshman, sophomore, or junior.
• Financial aid limits. The nominated student must be eligible to accept the award funds without exceeding financial aid limitations. If you are already at your cost of attendance cap with existing scholarships and loans, the award may reduce your other aid.
• Modest cash value. At $3,000, the undergraduate award will not transform your financial situation. The recognition value (Presser Scholar designation) may exceed the cash value over the long term.
• No direct application URL. The award is administered through your institution. Contact your music department chair or dean to find out if your school participates and how to be considered.

Related Opportunities

• Avery Fisher Career Grant for emerging classical instrumentalists seeking a $25,000 unrestricted award
• Juilliard School Scholarships for need-based and merit-based awards at The Juilliard School
• MTNA Scholarships for music teachers and students affiliated with Music Teachers National Association
• NAMM Scholarships for students pursuing music industry careers
• Naumburg Foundation Competitions for competition-based career launch in classical music
• National YoungArts Foundation for young artists across multiple disciplines
• From the Top for young classical musicians seeking performance opportunities and scholarships
• Music Scholars Directory for the full list of funding opportunities
• Visit the Presser Foundation website for official details on participating institutions and award guidelines