The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, in partnership with Berklee College of Music, has announced the inaugural Emerging Artist Scholarship, offering one aspiring music creator a fully funded bachelor's degree at Berklee starting in the fall of 2025. The scholarship, valued at $275,000, covers tuition, room and board, along with mentorship opportunities provided by the Foundation.

Berklee College of Music has pledged $825,000 in scholarship funds over the next three years as part of its long-standing collaboration with the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. This commitment underscores the shared mission to advance Latin music and heritage through educational access and career-building opportunities.

A Legacy Of Collaboration

For more than a decade, the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation and Berklee College of Music have joined forces to support young musicians. Many recipients of the Foundation's prestigious Prodigy Scholarship have gone on to attend Berklee, furthering their studies and pursuing successful music careers.

"The collaboration between Berklee and the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation has been an excellent model in creating access to education and career opportunities for young artists," Berklee President Jim Lucchese said in a statement. "The Emerging Artist Scholarship will continue and expand on this great work by offering additional pathways to help students achieve their dreams at Berklee."

Damien Bracken, Berklee's Dean of Admissions, emphasized the significance of this new initiative, saying, "The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation has been a tremendous supporter of our students, contributing many millions of dollars in scholarship support to some of our gifted artists. 

"In celebration of the Foundation's 10-year anniversary commemorated in 2024, I am so pleased to establish the Emerging Artist Scholarship in partnership with the Foundation, a Presidential level scholarship for undergraduate studies," Bracken continued. "We look forward to continuing to explore new ways that Berklee and Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation can work together to support prospective students and applicants."

Raquel "Rocky" Egusquiza, Executive Director of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, expressed gratitude for Berklee's continued support.

"Berklee College of Music has been a committed partner of the Foundation for more than a decade, and we are so pleased to enter this next phase in our collaboration," Egusquiza said in a statement. "We are grateful for Berklee's ongoing support as together, with their generosity, we continue furthering the Foundation's mission and expanding access to educational opportunities that advance Latin music and its heritage."

Application Details

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2025 scholarships, including the Emerging Artist Scholarship, until Thursday, April 10, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Applicants must submit two audition videos, two letters of recommendation, two essays, and an acceptance letter from an accredited university. Materials can be submitted in English, Spanish, or Portuguese.

Decades Of Impact

Since its inception, the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation has awarded 427 scholarships, investing more than $10 million in music education, mentorship, and grant programs.

For more details on the Emerging Artist Scholarship and to apply, visit the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation website.