Association for Recorded Sound Collections (ARSC)
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Conference Grants Program (ARSC)

The Association for Recorded Sound Collections is now accepting applications for ARSC Conference Grants for its annual ARSC Conference and Workshop. Conference dates and location may be found on the ARSC Conference and Workshop webpage.

All applications and supporting materials must be received by the second Monday in January each year.

The grants are designed to:

  • encourage newcomers to attend ARSC conferences
  • reach out to college students and professionals in the early stages of their careers
  • promote mentoring and professional development opportunities
  • advance scholarly research and publication, and
  • support ARSC members who desire to participate more actively in the association.

In addition, the committee will also be using a portion of our grant funds to specifically enable persons who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual) to attend their first ARSC conference. Persons who do not identify as BIPOC/LGBTQIA are also encouraged to apply for Conference Grants.

Grants include:

  • complimentary registration for the entire ARSC Conference.
  • complimentary registration for the ARSC Workshop.
  • reimbursement up to US$750 to defray the expenses of transportation and lodging upon approval of valid receipts, to be submitted after the conference. Rental car costs for transportation within the conference city are not reimbursable.

Applicant requirements

At the time of application, the applicant must be planning to attend their first ARSC Conference.

Applicants must also be one of the following:

  • a college or university student aspiring to work with sound recordings
  • a recent graduate seeking a professional position involving sound recordings
  • a professional within the first five years of his or her career who has demonstrated a dedication to sound recordings
  • a discographer, collector, or other researcher showing compelling prospects for the publication or dissemination of his or her scholarly work.

Applicants who demonstrate an interest in serving on an ARSC committee, publishing their work in the ARSC Journal, or presenting at an ARSC conference will be given particular consideration. Preference will be given to applicants who plan to attend the entire conference, including the workshop.

Application materials

A complete application contains the following:

  • a Letter of Application describing the applicant's background and current activities, clearly indicating why the applicant merits consideration for an ARSC Conference Grant,
  • if applying for the BIPOC/LGBTQIA funds, the applicant must include this information in the Letter of Application,
  • a brief Resume or Curriculum Vitae,
  • one letter of support, directly submitted by the writer of the letter.

Submit all items as email attachments to arsc.travel.grants@gmail.com
If you anticipate any problem with e-submission, please contact the committee at the above address.

Application deadline

All applications and supporting materials must be received by the second Monday in January each year.
Applicants will be generally notified about the award decisions by the second Monday in February.