seed money grant program 2026

The New York Women Composers’ annual Seed Money Grant Program awards grants of $1,000 U.S. Dollars (USD) each for concert projects that include a substantial commitment to the performance of music by NYWC members. (Note: This is not a commissioning grant.) Applicants may be solo performers, ensembles, or presenting organizations.

For concert grant applications, we offer two possible formats:  

1) Focused concert: Presentation of a concert featuring the works of three or more current composer-members of New York Women Composers for at least half of the project’s time length. At least one of the NYWC composers chosen must be new to the performers.

2) Disseminated performances: Performers or ensembles may instead choose to perform works by a minimum of five different current NYWC members during their performance season, on two or more concerts. At least two of the NYWC composers must be new to the performers.  

Time period for performances: Concerts for this grant period must take place from September 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028. 

Choice of music for the concert: The music to be presented must be chosen, at least in part, from a call for scores circulated to NYWC members on behalf of the grant recipients. We require this in order to let performers explore new composers and new works. If selected as a Seed Money Grant recipient, you will be given a score call template for you to fill out and return to Administrative Director Liza Bautista for distribution to our membership. Although many composers do list works in the members' online catalog on the NYWC website, please be aware that this list is incomplete, so a general score/recording call is required (either physical scores or PDFs) rather than a catalog-only selection. The concert organizers choose the music they wish to play according to their tastes. Before issuing a score call, we ask that the SMG recipients present a short introductory session (this can be in person or through Zoom) to showcase their ensemble, instrumentation, and general aesthetic so that composer members can better tailor their submissions.

We ask that composers be consulted during rehearsals either in-person or through email, Zoom sessions, or other virtual options, and that programs be provided with information on the composers and the pieces, and if vocal music, song texts. NYWC Composers must be in good standing with the organization, with an up-to-date membership, at the time of any concert where their music is featured (within the project period). 

Finances and project completion: Seed Money Grant awards are $1,000 USD. All concert programs and all publicity must acknowledge support from New York Women Composers, Inc. Any financial proceeds from the concert go directly to the organizers, not to New York Women Composers. The selected composers will not be asked to pay any money to the organizers for the performance of their works. New York Women Composers is not responsible for any additional costs needed to complete the projects. Seed Money Grantees must share all concert publicity and, if applicable, ticketing materials with NYWC in a timely manner, so that we may promote it across our social media accounts. A concert program should be shared with NYWC after the concert has taken place, as well as any photos, videos, or musical recordings from the concert. The grant recipients will be asked to fill out a short final report form and write a brief testimonial about their grant experience, after which the payment will be provided.