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The AMS Explore program supports the participation of current and recent undergraduate students in the AMS Annual Meeting. Sponsored by the AMS Education Committee, the program provides the opportunity for emerging scholars to present their research, receive constructive feedback on their work, and enjoy a welcoming conference experience.
The AMS Education Committee invites proposals from current or recent undergraduates for 10-minute paper presentations to be delivered during the 2027 AMS Annual Meeting held in Seattle, Washington, 11–14 November 2027 at the Hyatt Regency Seattle. Accepted participants will present their research as part of a symposium consisting of papers given by other members of the AMS Explore cohort. Papers will take the form of 10-minute presentations, followed by a panel discussion and general Q&A. In addition to presenting, participants in the AMS Explore program will be required to participate in cohort activities with peers and members of the AMS Education Committee that better prepare them for conference presentation and help them get as much as possible out of their conference experience.
Accepted participants will receive complimentary registration and a $450 grant to defray the cost of travel. Free lodging (with a roommate) in the conference hotel will also be provided.
Eligibility
Proposals to the AMS Explore program must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- As of the application deadline, applicants must be either currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program or have completed an undergraduate degree within the last three years.
- As of the application deadline, applicants must not be currently enrolled in a graduate degree program, nor have previously received a graduate degree.
- Applicants must be current students or recent graduates of an institution in the United States or Canada. International students are eligible to apply, so long as they are students or recent graduates of an institution in the United States or Canada.
All proposals must include a personal statement (maximum 500 words) and a paper proposal abstract (maximum 350 words). All materials must be submitted via the online application portal by the posted deadline.
Proposals must be received no later than 1 February 2027 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Frequently Asked Questions
You do not need to be a member of the AMS to participate in the AMS Explore program. However, if you are interested in AMS membership, you are more than welcome to join!
The personal statement (maximum 500 words) in the application will ask you to describe your educational background and personal relationship to music scholarship, including your future plans in music studies. You will also be asked to highlight any special projects and/or achievements to date.
A strong abstract should be clear, concise, and compelling. It should answer three key questions: What is your argument? How did you reach your conclusions? Why are your conclusions important or new enough to share? For additional guidance on how to prepare an effective proposal abstract, see the Guidelines for Writing an AMS Abstract prepared by the AMS Committee on the Annual Meeting and Public Events (CAMPE) and the AMS Program Committee.
No. If you have previously participated in the AMS Explore program, you are not eligible to apply again. However, we strongly encourage previous participants to submit a regular proposal for the annual meeting!
Decisions will be communicated by June.
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