The University of Florida College of the Arts (COTA) graduate research award supports students who want to pursue research activities, develop as musicians and music educators, and connect with others in the field.
From conference presentations and fieldwork to performances and professional recordings, the COTA research travel award creates opportunities for meaningful contributions to music education scholarship.
All current students in UF’s online Master of Music in Music Education program are eligible to apply for this award.
Award amounts vary by the opportunity and location. Students can expect awards to fall within the following amounts:
While the highest funding priority is typically given to students who have received invitations to give major presentations or those in the final year of their programs, UF is committed to supporting professional development as much as possible. All students are encouraged to apply.
Music Education graduate students can also apply for travel support through the UF Office of Research. These funds specifically go towards conferences, symposia, and special research opportunities.
See how students have used their research awards to advance their musical scholarship worldwide.
What: Opera Performance
Students performed in a full opera production in Italy.
What: Research Presentation and Music Festival
In 2022, an MMME student presented original research at a graduate conference, receiving acclaim from international scholars. In 2024, five students received grants to attend the Kenya Music Festival in Eldoret, Kenya. Read more about the students’ experiences at the Kenya Music Festival.
What: Conference Presentations
Students have led talks at the National Association for Music Education, the International Society for the Philosophy of Music Education, and the Society for Music Teacher Education.
Current students can apply for the Graduate Research Award online. If you are approved for the award, COTA will notify you within two weeks.
All award applications and travel authorizations must be approved before travel. The University of Florida is not able to make retroactive reimbursements.
The research award is available only to enrolled University of Florida students. To access the award, you will need to apply to the online Master of Music in Music Education program and join UF’s student community. You can start your application here or review our admissions requirements.
The Kenya Music Festival (KMF) is one of Kenya’s largest and most important cultural events. Every year, it attracts more than 130,000 student performers to compete in more than 600 categories of music, dance, and elocution events.
Five University of Florida music education scholars attended the Kenya Music Festival in Eldoret as international observers, clinicians, and disciplinary experts. The group included three online Master of Music in Music Education students (Cameron Buskirk, CJ Tomaszewski, and Heidi Wimmer) and two MMME alumni who are now PhD students (Michelle Gibson and Ilani Santos). They each received COTA grants to support their attendance at the festival.
During this trip, the students were able to engage deeply with the festival, learn about Kenyan music and traditions, shadow adjudicators during performances, and serve as clinicians with ensembles from across Kenya.
The students were joined by two UF faculty members: Dr. Marshall Haning (MMME faculty member and Acting Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs) and Dr. Will Kesling (Director of Choral Activities). The group served as adjudicators, presided over awards ceremonies, and participated in the inaugural Kenya Music Festival International Conference.
The University of Florida’s contributions to the festival were recognized at the closing Gala Performance by Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Education, Dr. Belio Kipsang.
Music education is a worldwide endeavor, and we are dedicated to helping our students grow their teaching expertise in this connected profession. Where can the UF Online MMME program take you?
To learn more about the University of Florida’s online Master of Music in Music Education and download a free brochure, fill out the fields below. You can also call (866) 794-8806 to speak to an enrollment advisor.
Benefit from the UF’s heritage of academic excellence and complete a 100% online program offered by a NASM- and CAEP-accredited university.
