Transatlantic Stars Music 2027: EU Songwriters and Performers Apply by 30 October
European performers meet the US music sector
The Delegation of the European Union to the United States has announced a second call for the Transatlantic Stars Music Program, planned for May–June 2027. It invites mid-career songwriters and performing musicians connected to EU Member States to take part in a two-week immersion in the US music ecosystem, collaborating with American musicians to write and perform new work. This is an international professional exchange rather than an online songwriting competition.
Application closing date and applicant cap
The official notice gives a closing date of 30 October 2026 and states that submissions are capped at 300. Because this limit can be reached ahead of the published deadline, artists should check whether the official application form is still open before preparing extensive materials. The programme targets mid-career EU creators; eligibility for EU citizenship or residency, required professional record, and the exact permitted styles must be checked on the EU Delegation's application rules.
What participants are expected to do
Selected performers are expected to begin in Cleveland, Ohio, to collaborate with US-based music creators, co-write new material and rehearse or present songs together. The initiative aims to expand artists' networks, deepen understanding of live performance and music-industry practices in the United States, and encourage lasting cross-Atlantic creative collaboration. It is not a standard record-label contract, and selection does not imply a commercial music release.
Costs, travel and other safeguards
The notice describes an organised international music programme, but applicants must verify exactly which travel, accommodation, visa or daily-expense items are provided in their own case. Do not assume the programme pays a particular stipend or covers every cost without a clear written award letter. Other strands of Transatlantic Stars include film and visual art; applications and eligibility are not interchangeable, so submit through the music strand specifically.
Organiser background
The call appears on the official European External Action Service site and is administered through the EU Delegation in Washington. That institutional source gives applicants a way to verify the programme before sending personal data. The May–June 2027 edition is framed as a creative and industry-building initiative connecting EU and US musicians.
Official source
EU Delegation official announcement, Transatlantic Rising Stars Project (Music): https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/united-states-america/transatlantic-rising-stars-project-music_en?s=253 . Check the linked form for availability, eligibility, travel coverage and exact local closing time.