SMT-40 Dissertation Fellowship
Forecasted
SMT-40 Dissertation Fellowship supports PhD students with full-time dissertation research and writing to advance significant contributions to music theory while fostering diversity and inclusivity.
Funder: Society for Music Theory
Due Dates (Anticipated): December 2026 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $5,000 per fellowship for 2026; minimum two months of full-time research and writing; up to two awards annually
Summary: Supports highly qualified PhD students completing dissertations that promise significant contributions to music theory.
Key Information: Applicants must be current SMT members with coursework, examinations, and dissertation proposal approval completed by the deadline.
Description
The Society for Music Theory’s SMT-40 Dissertation Fellowship recognizes and fosters excellent research by helping highly qualified PhD students complete their dissertations. Made possible by the SMT-40 campaign and substantially underwritten by Mary Wennerstrom, the fellowship supports at least two months of full-time dissertation research and writing. Projects must promise a significant contribution to the field of music theory.
The fellowship also advances the Society’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity. At least one of the two awards supports either a music theory research topic that engages diversity or an applicant who contributes to diversifying the SMT community. The SMT-40 Dissertation Fellowship Committee administers the program, and recipients receive recognition at the Society’s Annual Meeting and in the SMT Newsletter.
