Jazzmaster Scholarship by the National Endowment for the Arts

Living jazz artists (and selected advocates via A.B. Spellman Fellowship for Jazz Advocacy) nominated for exceptional contributions to jazz. Nation’s highest jazz honor since 1982. Public may nominate; panel of experts reviews. Not a college tuition scholarship for students.

1. Review NEA Jazz Masters nomination guidelines at arts.gov.
2. Submit a nomination online during the open window (cannot self-apply as a student scholarship).
3. Panel review and NEA selection.
4. Fellows announced publicly (e.g., 2026: Rhonda Hamilton, Carmen Lundy, Airto Moreira, Patrice Rushen).

• Online nomination form
• Narrative documenting nominee’s contributions to jazz
• Supporting materials as requested by NEA

Not published

165+ NEA Jazz Masters since 1982 including Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Dave Brubeck, Chick Corea, Sonny Rollins, Dianne Reeves; 2026 class includes Carmen Lundy, Airto Moreira, Patrice Rushen, Rhonda Hamilton