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Publication subventions are granted to individuals and institutions for any topics within music studies. The endowment supporting general music studies publications was established through the generous bequests of Manfred Bukofzer, Lloyd Hibberd, Otto Kinkeldey, Dragan Plamenac, and Gustave Reese. Publication subventions were later supported by additional funding through the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation, and the generous contributions of many individual donors.

Now, the American Musicological Society grants approximately $80,000 each year to help with expenses involved in the publication of works of musical scholarship, including books, essay collections, articles, chapters in essay collections, special issues of journals, and works in non-print media.

Application deadlines are February 15 and August 15 each year. If this date falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline is the following business day.

Individual Applications

Individual authors or editors may apply for assistance to defray costs associated with the preparation of works on music studies that are slated for publication. Examples include costs related to illustrations, musical examples, facsimiles, accompanying audio or video examples, permissions, indexing, translations, and copy-editing.

Proposals from scholars at all stages of their careers are welcome. Projects that make use of newer technologies are also encouraged.

Eligibility:

  • Individual applicants must be members of the AMS.
  • Applications for any amount up to $2,500 will receive consideration.
  • Individual applicants cannot have received an individual subvention within the last three (3) years.
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered.

 

Recipients of subventions are requested to forward a copy of the final product (book, article, resource) upon publication. All awards must be claimed within eighteen months of the granting of the subvention. The claiming of awards may require the submission of receipts, invoices, and other documentation.

 

Required Materials:

  • A short abstract (1,000 words maximum) that describes the project and its contribution to musical scholarship.
  • A copy of your draft publication, regardless of format (book manuscript, article draft, digital resource, CD, multimedia application, etc.). Please indicate the date and version (if applicable) on your draft.
  • A copy of the contract or letter of agreement that demonstrates final acceptance for publication or distribution. Include any clauses that stipulate which expenses are the author’s/creator’s responsibility.
  • A budget (itemized list of expenses) describing how the subvention would be used.
    • Optional: copies of invoices or receipts to support the proposed budget. (Consolidate multiple files into one.)
  • Copies of the readers’ reports and author’s responses with names redacted. Include the dates the reports were written. (Consolidate multiple files into one.) If submitting an application for a project that does not have readers’ reports, consult the AMS Office for guidance.

Institutional Applications

Institutional subventions are available to members of the Coalition of Music Organizations and are intended to support the publication of works on music by reducing the retail price of the book or resource, defraying production costs, or increasing accessibility.

Eligibility:

  • Institutional applicants must be members of the Coalition of Music Organizations.
  • Applications for any amount up to $4,000 will receive consideration.
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered.

 

Recipients of subventions are requested to forward a copy of the final product (book, article, resource) upon publication. All awards must be claimed within eighteen months of the granting of the subvention. The claiming of awards may require the submission of receipts, invoices, and other documentation.

 

Required Materials:

  • The entire manuscript or resource (in electronic form), including its date or version (if applicable).
  • Copies of the readers’ reports and author’s responses with names redacted. Include the dates the reports were written. (Consolidate multiple files into one.) If the project does not have readers’ reports, consult the AMS Office for guidance.
  • A detailed financial statement, indicating:
    • A breakdown of the costs of publication (include details such as projected print run, licensing expenses, and other expenses associated with the project).
    • The amount requested from the AMS as a subvention.
    • The impact the subvention will have on the retail price of the book or resource, cost of production, or potential audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

When are application deadlines?

Application deadlines are February 15 and August 15 each year. (If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline is the following business day.)

When will decisions be announced?

Decisions will be announced no later than five months after each deadline.

I am a publisher. How do I apply for a publication subvention?

Publishers who are members of the Coalition of Music Organizations can apply for institutional subventions. If you are not yet a member of the Coalition, you can apply here.

Can subventions be used for indexing and translations?

Yes, both individual and institutional publication subventions may now be used for indexing and translation expenses.

I received a publication subvention. Where do I send a copy of my publication?

Please send copies to:
American Musicological Society
20 Cooper Sq., Floor 3
New York, NY 10003

Subvention Books

Every year the AMS spends about $100,000 on publication subventions for music studies titles. Browse the extraordinary range of books supported below. Browse the hundreds of publications made possible by AMS publication subventions.

Browse Subvention Books

 

New Books on Music

The AMS maintains a page to highlight recently published title on music studies. Browse these books or submit your recent publication for inclusion.

Browse New Books

 

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Want to see the AMS provide even more support for music studies publications? Get involved! We can do it, but only with your help.
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