NANM 2027 National Strings Scholarship: US Regional Auditions and $7,500 First Prize
String players: a multi-round US competition
The National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc. (NANM) has opened its 2027 National Scholarship Competition for Strings. Applicants begin at local and regional competitions, with regional winners advancing to a national final planned for July 2027. This format differs from a worldwide video-only contest: competitors should check the appropriate US regional arrangements, repertoire rules and participation requirements before applying.
Deadline, fee and required documentation
The NANM competition announcement sets the deadline at 15 January 2027, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Applicants must submit the official application, a US$50 fee and a copy of photo identification. Entrants should read the competition's separate rules carefully for instrument eligibility, age qualifications, regional residence requirements and selected repertoire; these vary by programme and are not all specified in the overview. Applicants based abroad should not assume that the US regional competition structure permits remote international participation.
National prizes
The published national awards are US$7,500 for first place, US$6,500 for second, US$5,500 for third and US$1,000 encouragement awards. Each US region identifies and advances its winning contestant, rather than paying the advertised national prize to each local winner. Travel expenses, accompanist costs and other participant obligations must be verified through the regional organisers.
Repertoire and artistic mission
The mandatory repertoire spans European and American composers and highlights the contribution of Black composers. The competition is connected to NANM's broader mission of supporting musical achievement, artistic education and cultural heritage. Competitors should consult the downloadable recommended repertoire list and official competition regulations before planning a programme; this article does not replace those technical requirements.
About the organiser
The National Association of Negro Musicians is a historic US organisation dedicated to musical excellence and the visibility of Black music-making. Its official scholarship page names regional contacts and shows previous winners, application links and published award levels. Those official records are the safest starting point for contacting a region, paying fees or checking the competition's eligibility criteria.
Official details
NANM scholarship page and links to the application, competition rules and suggested repertoire: https://www.nanm.org/scholarship . Applicants should confirm the correct regional competition and latest instructions before paying the fee.