• ISME Members.
• Full-time doctoral candidates, or college/university-based faculty and scholars.
• Preference for applicants:
• Residing and conducting research in countries outside the United States.
• With at least two years of experience working with young children.
• Who are ISME members or doctoral candidates proposing interdisciplinary research.
• Demonstrating financial need.
• Research must employ empirical methods (no historical or biographical research).
• Doctoral candidates require at least one recommendation letter from a Doctoral Committee member.

Funds may cover:

• Direct research costs: equipment, software, travel to research sites, recordings, instruments, supplies.
• Presentation of findings at ISME conferences (travel and accommodation at the discretion of ISME Fund Manager).

Funds may not be used for:

• Tuition payments.
• Compensation for lost wages.
• Personal living expenses.

• Academic merit.
• Quality, importance, and feasibility of the proposed research.
• Applicant’s experience in early childhood music education or related fields.

• Determined annually based on fund income and proposal quality.
• Applicants may apply for one renewal after the initial award.

• Composed of at least three scholars experienced in early childhood music education research.
• Appointed by the ISME Executive Committee in collaboration with the Early Childhood Music Education (ECME) Commission.
• May consult ad hoc experts for interdisciplinary proposals.

• Maintain detailed records and submit a financial report within 30 days of completing research.
• Submit a full research report and summary digest within one month post-completion.
• Return unused funds within 30 days of project completion.
• Participate in biennial publication of research digests coordinated by ISME.

• Research focus preference: children aged 5 and below.
• Studies on the long-term effects of early music education are encouraged.
• ISME will actively promote the fund and solicit proposals internationally.
• All research outputs will be property of ISME with appropriate researcher recognition.