Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Deadline: August 8, 2025
Applications are now open for the IIE-Sony Music Group Global Scholars Program 2025/2026, a prestigious initiative designed to support young, talented, and creative students pursuing undergraduate studies related to music and the music business. Launched by the Institute of International Education (IIE) in collaboration with Sony Music Group, the program is open to students across the globe who demonstrate academic excellence, financial need, and a passion for music.
This scholarship is not just about funding—it’s about empowering future leaders in the music industry with the resources, exposure, and global community needed to thrive.
Duration of Scholarships
- Scholarships may be renewed for up to three additional years or until completing your degree, whichever occurs first.
- Renewal of awards are contingent on having at least a U.S. equivalent of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale toward your degree program and continued full-time enrollment in music or music business-related fields of study, and continuation of the program by Sony Music Group.
- Awards are for undergraduate study only.
Benefits
- Scholarship amounts will range between USD 3,000 and USD 20,000 per academic year for required tuition and mandatory fees to complete students’ degree programs and vary depending on the location of the college/university, the type of college/university (state university, private university, etc.), and the Sony Music Group Global Scholar’s expected financial need.
- Scholarships are intended to assist students as they pursue undergraduate study and are NOT intended to cover all educational expenses. Recipients are responsible for the balance of funding, including tuition and fees, books and supplies, living expenses, and transportation.
- In addition to receiving the scholarship, Sony Music Group Global Scholars may be given other opportunities by Sony Music Group to further their professional development, including unpaid internship or mentorship opportunities.
- Upon acceptance, the Sony Music Group Global Scholars Program will provide a wide range of enrichment programming, including structured events and webinars to connect with SMG industry experts to cultivate an international cohort of future music industry professionals.
SEE ALSO: Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Entrepreneurship Training Programme 2025 for Young Nigerian Entrepreneurs
Eligibility Criteria
- This scholarship is open to students who are planning to enroll as a full-time undergraduate student at an accredited college or university, including 3-4 year undergraduate programs, in music or music business-related fields of study during the academic year of 2025-2026.
- Maintain a U.S. equivalent GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or above is required to apply for this scholarship.
- An applicant’s academic record must show potential to succeed in a college/university program in their intended music industry field.
- A demonstrated financial need.
- Applicants do not need to be accepted into a program at the time of application, but if selected for a scholarship, proof of full-time enrollment will be required before scholarship funds can be sent.
Application Process and Documents Required
A complete application must be submitted in English and will include:
- Completed online application form
- A personal statement (up to 3,500 characters)
- An estimate of your expected tuition and mandatory fees to complete your degree programs during the academic year of 2025-2026;
- Two reference letters. The letters must come from non-family members who know you well – for example, a teacher, instructor, professor, employer/work supervisor, scout leader, advisor to an extracurricular club, etc.
- High school transcript/grade report issued by the school (for applicants from the United Kingdom or Commonwealth countries, A level, O level, GCSE, or BTEC results are also acceptable)
- Only applications completed by the deadline will be reviewed. Falsifying or plagiarizing any portion of your application is grounds for automatic disqualification.
