NAMM Foundation Announces Request for Grant Proposals Focused on Creating More Music Makers

The NAMM Foundation today announced that its 2009 Request for Grant Proposals initiative will open by close of business, September 16, 2008, at www.nammfoundation.org. The Foundation seeks to fund proposals for projects that further the music products industry’s mission of creating more active music makers of all ages and expanding access to music making.

Through program grants, the Foundation seeks to motivate and inspire innovative music-learning programs for people of all ages and to support new knowledge about active participation in music making. Last year’s program grants were awarded to 21 organizations for a total of $627,400 in grant funds. The Foundation also seeks proposals for research that expands knowledge about the effects of music making across the lifespan through three programs. Since its commitment to research funding a decade ago, NAMM has provided more than $3 million in music research funding that has expanded knowledge about the benefits of learning and making music.

• NAMM Foundation Program Grants support nonprofit public service organizations that provide innovative music- learning programs to reach new audiences with new protocols, and that further the NAMM Foundation’s mission of creating more active music makers of all ages. To be considered for funding, a program may supplement, but cannot replace, school-funded core curriculum music education programs. Proposal submission deadline: December 1, 2008.
• The Sounds of Learning: The Impact of Music Education initiative supports research that examines the role of music education in the lives of school-age children. The goal of the program is to expand the understanding of music’s role in a quality education, in children’s development and learning. Sounds of Learning applicants apply to one of four specific research topics as outlined in the grant guidelines. Proposal submission deadline: December 1, 2008.
• The Sounds of Living: The Impact of Music Making supports research that examines the role of active participation in music and music learning for children, youth, adults and seniors outside of formal educational settings. This grant program seeks to expand the understanding of the role of music making in health, wellness, socialization and the inter-connections between mind, body and spirit that contribute to wellness and overall quality of life. Proposal submission deadline: December 1, 2008.
• NAMM Foundation Scientific Grants support leading researchers and research teams in the fields of music research, neuroscience, psychology, education and/or health-related fields to explore the effects of hands-on music making. Short-term (less than one year) projects will be considered, and a very limited number of longitudinal studies (two to three years) will also be considered. Proposal submission deadline: December 1, 2008.

“Resources generated by NAMM’s trade shows provide support for the NAMM Foundation programs, including its annual grant initiatives that fund innovative programs and music research,” said Mary Luehrsen, executive director of the NAMM Foundation. “This year we’re issuing Requests for Proposals in program and research areas with hopes of receiving many new creative proposals with the goal of creating more music makers.”

For more detailed information about the programs that the NAMM Foundation’s initiatives support, and for funding guidelines and details about submitting a grant request, visit www.nammfoundation.org/Grants/guidelines.html or e-mail grants@namm.org.

About The NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs from the international music products industry.