Scholarships, Grants, and Awards

Do you know of an administrator, public official or other friend of music therapy who has impacted the ability of clients to access music therapy services? Perhaps it was through increasing access to financial resources, promoting awareness of music therapy, or the creation of new music therapy positions. We would like to honor a deserving recipient during the regional conference. Please submit your nomination form by February 19th, 2019.

Link to Application: Advocacy Award Application

Deadline: February 19th, 2019.

The membership support fund was developed to provide monetary assistance for music therapists who reside in the Mid-Atlantic region and have financial constraints that limit their ability to join AMTA.

More specifically, the Membership Support Fund is designed to assist music therapists in paying 75% of their AMTA membership fees for one year. To apply, music therapists need to complete the attached application form. There presently is no limit to the number of number of consecutive times a music therapist may apply for the assistance, but preference will be given to new applicants if the number of awards in any one year is limited due to regional budgetary constraints. The application process and the names of those who receive the awards will remain confidential; only the number of awards will be reported.

To qualify for the award, music therapists need have obtained the MT-BC, RMT, CMT, or ACMT credentials; be living in the Mid-Atlantic region; and be actively seeking employment or employed as music therapists. Applicants also will be asked to generally identify their financial need. All applications need to be sent to the Treasurer of the region who will verify that the applicant meets the qualifications to apply for the award based on Part One of the application. The Treasurer then will remove Part One of the application that identifies the person and send Part Two and Three on to the appointed committee members who will complete a blind review of the applications.

Link to Application: Membership Support Award Application

Deadline: November 1st, 2018

The MAR Research Award totals up to $5,000 and  provides financial assistance to members of the MAR (students and professionals) who wish to pursue a research study or a special project consistent with the mission and goals of the MAR. For research studies, outcomes are to further clinical, professional or disciplinary knowledge. Quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods as well as well as research synthesis may be used according to the research question(s) posed. For special projects, outcomes may include (but are not limited to) material products, publications, model demonstrations of practice, and education/training activities of potential benefit to the membership beyond the period of funding. Priority will be given to those applications reflecting research or special projects that 1) address a need in relation to the MAR mission and goals, 2) can reasonably be completed within a twelve-month period, and 3) includes methodology that is presented in a clear and systematic fashion.

Priorities:

Priority will be given to those applications reflecting research or special projects that 1) address a need in relation to the MAR Mission and goals, 2) can reasonably be completed within an 18-month period, and 3) include methodology that is presented in a clear and systematic fashion.

For more information on the MAR Research Awards, please contact MAR Research Committee Chair, Gene Ann Behrens.

Link to Application Form: MAR Research/Special Project Application (Word)

Link to Application (PDF): MAR Research/Special Project Application (PDF)

Deadline: February 1, 2019

The MAR Collaborative Research Award is intended to stimulate research collaborations between music therapy clinicians and research scholars. To be eligible for this award, the clinician is required to be the lead investigator. The research scholar can be an academic or a non-academic researcher in or outside the field of music therapy. The role of the research scholar is to advise and support the clinician in the development and implementation of the research project. We especially encourage collaborative work that shows promise of continuing beyond the year funded (e.g. a pilot project in a hospital that provides preliminary evidence for a larger study). Collaborative project proposals are expected to describe plans for having the results of the research published. The lead investigator (i.e., music therapy clinician) and the research scholar need to be professionals. Applications from undergraduate, master or PhD students will not be accepted.

Priorities:

Priority will be given to those applications reflecting research or special projects that 1) address a need in relation to the MAR Mission and goals, 2) can reasonably be completed within an 18-month period, and 3) include methodology that is presented in a clear and systematic fashion.

For more information on the MAR Research Awards, contact Gene Ann Behrens, MAR Research Committee.

Link to Application Form: MAR Collaborative Research Application (Word)

Link to Application (PDF): MAR Collaborative Research Application (PDF)

Deadline: February 1, 2019

Link to Application: MAR-AMTA National Conference Award Application

Deadline: October 1, 2018

The Mid-Atlantic Region (MAR) Professional Development Award offers monetary assistance to support the ongoing growth and advancement of MAR members. An award in the amount of $300 will be offered to one (1) professional member to aid in career-related expenses (e.g. continuing education fees, the purchase of instruments, etc.) that contribute to the continued improvement of professional knowledge, competence, skill, and effectiveness.

To be considered for the MAR Professional Development Award, please complete the following application by 11:59 pm EST on December 1, 2018. You must be a current MAR member in good standing to qualify for the award. Your one-page narrative (400 words or less) will be assigned an ID number, then distributed and reviewed independently by members of a blind review panel. The panel will return their ratings and the applicants with the highest ranked essays will be selected. The award recipients will receive email notification by January 31, 2019. Please direct any questions to the Vice President of Membership at maramtamembership@gmail.com.

Link to application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSca64hacsT93Df0J2xSJaWUbN2JMEtNl83LdgmdyHImv0ULYQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Deadline: December 1, 2018

The Mid-Atlantic Region Arts Advocacy Day Scholarship Fund offers monetary assistance to attend the annual Arts Advocacy Day held by Americans for the Arts each year in Washington, DC. The National AMTA/CBMT Government Relations (GR) team attends this event as well as a GR representative from the MAR board. More information on the event can be found here: https://www.americansforthearts.org/events/arts-advocacy-day

An award in the amount of $1000 will be offered annually to one (1) MAR professional member to offset the cost of attendance at Arts Advocacy Day. Cost may include registration, accommodations, travel, and/or meals. Eligible applicants must be a member of AMTA in good standing. Priority consideration will be given to MAR state task force members when reviewing applications.

To be considered for this scholarship, please complete the following application by 11:59 pm EST on January 2, 2019. Applications will be assigned an ID number, then distributed and reviewed independently by members of a blind review panel. The panel will return their ratings and the highest ranked essays will be selected. Please direct any questions to the Vice President of Membership at maramtamembership@gmail.com.

Link to application: https://goo.gl/forms/49jmZTy124AYTS7A2

Deadline: January 2, 2019

1) Enrollment in an AMTA approved music therapy program (undergraduate, graduate, doctoral) located in the MAR or internship in a National Roster or University Affiliated internship located in the MAR; and
2) Maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0; and
3) Demonstrate financial need.

If you are starting your internship in 2018 and will continue your internship in 2019, you are eligible to apply. If you will be interning in 2018, but have not yet been accepted to an internship site, you are eligible to apply.

Instructions: To apply for this scholarship, complete the online application by the deadline provided below. Incomplete, late, or incorrectly filled out applications will not be accepted. You will need to provide contact information for your academic advisor and 2 references on your online application—your music therapy advisor, a music therapy supervisor, and a professional reference of your choice. These should be a music therapy professor or clinical supervisor and one person of your choice that has worked with you professionally (e.g. music professor, psychology professor, other clinician, etc.). We will contact your references to obtain their recommendations. Additionally, if selected as a finalist for this award, you will be required to provide an official copy of your transcript for review. Applications will be evaluated based upon the following criterion: professional activity, involvement in community and university activity, professional goals, recommendations, and student need. Make sure you do not have personally identifying information in the short answer/essay portions of your application. Please direct any questions to the Vice President of Membership at maramtamembership@gmail.com.

Link to Application:
The Mid-Atlantic Region Scholarship for Racial Minority Students Application

Deadline: November 26, 2018

The Mid-Atlantic Region Student Scholarship Fund offers monetary assistance to the educational advancement of undergraduate and graduate student members. An award in the amount of $1000 will be offered annually to one (1) degree seeking member to offset the cost of attendance at an AMTA approved music therapy program. Academic cost may include tuition, fees, books, and/or room and board.

To be considered for this scholarship, please complete the following application by 11:59 pm EST on November 26, 2018. Applicants will need to state professional benefit of receiving this award, demonstrate financial need, and provide two (2) professional references. Eligible applicants must be a member of AMTA in good standing, enrolled or accepted for enrollment at an AMTA approved music therapy program located in the MAR, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0, and demonstrate financial need. Applications will be assigned an ID number, then distributed and reviewed independently by members of a blind review panel. The panel will return their ratings and the highest ranked essays will be selected. Please direct any questions to the Vice President of Membership at mar-membership@gmail.com.

Link to application: The Mid-Atlantic Scholarship Fund Application

Deadline: November 26, 2018

The Mid-Atlantic Region is again pleased to give interns and prospective interns the opportunity to apply for one of the three scholarships (up to $750). To be eligible, you must be a member of the AMTA and demonstrate a relationship with the MAR by either being a music therapy student enrolled in a school in the MAR or being a music therapy student interning in the MAR. If you are starting your internship in 2017 and will continue your internship in 2018, you are eligible to apply. If you will be interning in 2018, but have not yet been accepted to an internship site, you are eligible to apply.

Instructions: To apply for this scholarship, complete the online application by the deadline provided below. Incomplete, late, or incorrectly filled out applications will not be accepted. You will need to provide contact information for 3 references on your online application—your music therapy advisor, a music therapy supervisor, and a professional reference of your choice. We will contact your references to obtain their recommendations. Additionally, if selected as a finalist for this award, you will be required to provide an official copy of your transcript for review. Applications will be evaluated based upon the following criterion: professional activity, involvement in community and university activity, professional goals, recommendations, and student need. Make sure you do not have personally identifying information in the short answer/essay portions of your application. Finalists will be interviewed by a panel of judges at the regional MAR conference.

Link to Application: Jenny Shinn Scholarship Application

Deadline: January 20, 2018

MARAMTS awards two sophomore scholarships annually. Recipients receive student membership to the AMTA as well as complementary MAR conference registration. To be eligible, you must be a sophomore music therapy student, have attended and participated in MT club meetings and activities, have shown interest or involvement in regional conferences, and have sought out and been active in self-motivated learning experiences.

Instructions: To apply for this scholarship, complete the online application by the deadline provided below. Incomplete, late, or incorrectly filled out applications will not be accepted. You will need to provide contact information for 2 references on your online application—your music therapy advisor and the president of your school’s music therapy club. If you are the president of your school’s music therapy club, then you will need to provide contact information for the vice president of your school’s music therapy club. We will contact your references to obtain their recommendations. Applications will be evaluated based upon the following criterion: music therapy club attendance, involvement in music therapy club activities, conference attendance and/or attendance at MARAMTS business meetings, and extracurricular activities (i.e., volunteer work or current job). Make sure you do not have personally identifying information in the short answer/essay portions of your application.

Link to Application: Sophomore Scholarship

Deadline: November 26, 2017

MARAMTS awards two junior scholarships annually. Recipients receive student membership to the AMTA as well as complementary MAR conference registration. To be eligible, you must be a junior music therapy student, have attended and participated in MT club meetings and activities, have shown interest or involvement in regional conferences, and have sought out and been active in self-motivated learning experiences.

Instructions: To apply for this scholarship, complete the online application by the deadline provided below. Incomplete, late, or incorrectly filled out applications will not be accepted. You will need to provide contact information for 2 references on your online application—your music therapy advisor and the president of your school’s music therapy club. If you are the president of your school’s music therapy club, then you will need to provide contact information for the vice president of your school’s music therapy club. We will contact your references to obtain their recommendations. Applications will be evaluated based upon the following criterion: music therapy club attendance, involvement in music therapy club activities, conference attendance and/or attendance at MARAMTS business meetings, and extracurricular activities (i.e., volunteer work or current job). Make sure you do not have personally identifying information in the short answer/essay portions of your application.

Link to Application: Junior Scholarship Application

Deadline:  November 26, 2017

MARAMTS awards one graduate scholarship annually. Recipients receive student membership to the AMTA as well as complementary MAR conference registration. To be eligible, you must be currently enrolled in a graduate music therapy program in the MAR, be a graduate student interning in the MAR, or a graduate student currently working as a music therapist in the MAR. Additionally, applicants must show interest or involvement in regional and national music therapy conferences.

Instructions: To apply for this scholarship, complete the online application by the deadline provided below. Incomplete, late, or incorrectly filled out applications will not be accepted. You will need to provide contact information for your professional reference on your online application. We will contact your reference to obtain their recommendation. Applications will be evaluated based upon the following criterion: activity in the AMTA, professional involvement, professional development, and the applicant’s professional recommendation. Make sure you do not have personally identifying information in the short answer/essay portions of your application.

Link to Application: Graduate Scholarship Application

Deadline:  November 26th, 2017

The MAR Graduate Student Research Award assists graduate music therapy students undertaking original thesis or dissertation research with a grant of up to $1,000.00 to support research costs prior to the completion of their thesis/dissertation. This can include assistance with materials (e.g. data collection tools, music, etc.), consultation fees (e.g. methodologist/statistician), and/or expert mentorship (mentorship from expert faculty in the student’s area of research who are not faculty at the student’s university of study). Systematic reviews, meta analyses and meta syntheses will also be considered, but final projects that do not involve research will not be considered. The award is given for excellence in concept, methodological sophistication, and clinical benefit.

Priorities:

Priority will be given to those applications reflecting research or special projects that 1) address a need in relation to the MAR Mission and goals, 2) can reasonably be completed within an 18-month period, and 3) include methodology that is presented in a clear and systematic fashion.

For more information on the Graduate Research Award, please contact Joke Bradt, Chair MAR Research Committee, jbradt@drexel.edu.

Link to Application Form: MAR Graduate Research Award (Word)

Link to Application (PDF): MAR Graduate Research Award (PDF)

Deadline: September 3, 2018

To be eligible for this year’s music therapy club scholarship ($250), a club must implement three (3) music therapy oriented activities in either the college setting or the community for the calendar year (January-December). The focus of these activities should be on advocacy for music therapy, volunteer work, and fundraising (for the club or for a non-profit). Activities include, but are not limited to: drum circles, advocacy at local schools, volunteer sessions at nursing homes, etc. Should there be a tie between clubs, participation and attendance of music club members will be considered as part of the evaluation criterion. Priority will be given to music therapy activities that are music therapy focused and student-based. Applicants will need to provide contact information for 2 references on your online application—your music therapy advisor and the president of your school’s music therapy club. If you are the president of your school’s music therapy club, then you will need to provide contact information for the vice president of your school’s music therapy club. We will contact your references to obtain their recommendations. This competition is open to any active school within MARAMTS. Make sure you do not have personally identifying information in the short answer/essay portions of your application.

Link to Application: Music Therapy Club Application

Deadline: December 1st, 2017

Link to Application: Student Member Regional Conference Application

Deadline: February 28, 2019