Emergency Relief for the AMS Community

The American Musicological Society recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic has harmed many within our community and jeopardized public performances as well as the teaching and practice of music scholarship. The Society also understands that this pandemic is amplifying existing inequities and has had a disproportionately negative impact on gig workers, students, and contingently employed people. In response, the AMS Board of Directors has committed to pursuing an ethical, creative, and generous response to the crisis that supports the well-being of the most vulnerable members of our community.

As part of this response, the Society is launching two new, short-term grant programs designed to provide immediate, one-time support to current and recent members of the American Musicological Society.

AMS Emergency Income Support Grants

AMS Emergency Income Support Grants will provide $500 in supplementary income and one year of AMS membership to individuals who have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 crisis and meet the eligibility guidelines. Grants will be awarded in late June, with recipients determined by lottery.  
Eligibility:  Students, gig workers, part-time/adjunct instructors, or those earning less than $30,000 annually who have been a member of the American Musicological Society for at least one year in the past five years (1 May 2015–15 May 2020).

AMS Grants for Material Support

AMS Grants for Material Support will provide one year of AMS membership and a $500 grant to defray the cost of materials or services necessary for teaching, research, and professional development, including the purchase of equipment and technology, software, course materials, continuing education courses, etc. Applicants must indicate how they intend to use the grant. Grants will be awarded in late June, with recipients determined by lottery.
Eligibility:  Students, gig workers, part-time/adjunct instructors, or those earning less than $30,000 annually who have been a member of the American Musicological Society for at least one year in the past five years (1 May 2015–15 May 2020).

How to Apply: The application for these Emergency Relief Grants will be opened on 5 June 2020, and will remain open until 25 June 2020, when the lottery will be run and grant notifications sent out. 

FAQs - Emergency Relief Grants

If I am awarded a grant, will my name be public?

No. The names of grant recipients will not be publicly disclosed, recognized at award ceremonies, or posted on the AMS website.

Who is eligible to apply for an Emergency Relief Grant?

Students, gig workers, part-time/adjunct instructors, or those earning less than $30,000 annually who have been a member of the American Musicological Society for at least one year in the past five years (1 May 2015–15 May 2020) are eligible to apply.

Are emeritus or retired members eligible to apply for these grants, providing they meet the income threshold or are adjuncting? 

Yes.

 If I receive a grant, will there be reporting requirements?

As with all AMS grants and fellowships, recipients may be required to complete standard tax reporting forms (such as a W-9 for U.S. citizens or W-8BEN for foreign applicants). Recipients may also be asked to complete a post-award survey, to help the AMS better understand the impact of these programs.  

Can I apply for more than one Emergency Relief Grant?

No. In an effort to meet the needs of as many people as possible, we ask that you apply for only one Emergency Relief Grant.

I think this is a great idea. Is there a way I can support these initiatives?

Yes! Contribute to the AMS Annual Fund and help us replenish the reserve funds that are funding these Emergency Relief Grants. Even the smallest donation is welcome, and will help give us the flexibility to do more for our members during this time of crisis and challenge. 

What is the rationale for requiring applicants to have been members at some point in the last five years?

AMS Emergency Relief Grants are designed to support the AMS member community. However, we recognize that not everyone has the financial resources to maintain their AMS membership uninterrupted. So, rather than requiring an active current membership, we have chosen an eligibility standard that encompasses the wider community of current and recent AMS members.

How many grants will be awarded? 

At present, the Society expects to award at least fifty (50) Emergency Income Support Grants and fifty (50) Grants for Materials Support. 

How is this being funded? Is money being taken from existing AMS programs? 

Money is not being taken from existing programs to cover these grants. The funds come from what, in colloquial terms, might be called the Society's "rainy day fund."

Why do this? Well, the Board and staff of the AMS feel that this unprecedented crisis demands an unprecedented response, and that at least a portion of our reserve funds are best used to support the most financially vulnerable members of our community. That said, we are also aware that we will need to replenish those funds to ensure that the Society has the flexibility to meet future crises. So, if you have the means to help out, we encourage you to donate to the AMS Annual Fund!