Please refer to the Eligibility Requirements and Application Guidelines before completing the Intent to Apply form or the Grant Application. For information about Writers Residency Grants, please click here.

Applicant FAQs:

I am a writer. Can I apply for a grant from the National Fund for New Musicals? 
Unfortunately, writers cannot apply for a National Fund for New Musicals grant.  Only NAMT member theatres in good standing who are registered U.S. not-for-profits may apply. 

My theatre is not yet a member. Can my organization apply for membership and still have time to submit a grant application? 
It can take a few weeks to process a new member application, but it is possible.   Before you submit an Intent to Apply, please contact our membership director Adam Grosswirth at 212-714-6668 x15 to discuss NAMT membership.

Why are the grants limited to U.S.-based not-for-profit NAMT member theatres? 
At this time, these are the only organizations to whom we are legally permitted to grant monies. 

We know we want to apply, but we haven’t settled on a project. Can we still send in the Intent to Apply? 
Please do send in an Intent to Apply with as much information as you currently know.  You will need to have the show, writers and specifics sorted out before you submit the final application.  It is common to submit the Intent to Apply while still deciding on the best project for the actual grant. 

Consortium FAQs:

The members of our proposed consortium are not all theatres or are not NAMT members. Is that allowed?
All consortium applicants must be a U.S-based not-for-profits registered with the U.S. government, but they do not need to be member theatres.  The lead applicant on a consortium grant must be a NAMT member in good standing. 

I have a commercial producer attached to the show and/or enhancing the process. How do I reflect that in the application? 
The involvement creatively, managerially and financially should be reflected in your project narrative.  If the producer is enhancing the project, that should be reflected in the project budget in the Income section with a clarifying note in the application.  Creative control of the project must lie with the lead applicant.   

Can I apply as a consortium applicant and as lead applicant on a sole application? 
Yes, you may. 

Is there a preference given to consortium applicants?
Yes, a goal of the National Fund is to build collaborations among NAMT Members and to build developmental trajectories for projects. 


Project FAQs:

Is there a preference given to past NAMT Festival shows? 
There is no preference given, but it is really nice to see! 

Our show is currently enlisting a new member of the writing team. Can we still apply? 
You can submit an Intent to Apply form, but the entire writing team must be in place in time to submit the grant application. 

We are still in negotiations with the writers to develop their project. Are we able to apply for funding? 
You can submit an Intent to Apply but the agreement with the writers must be  in place in time to submit the grant application. 

Are shows created from pre-existing musical material permissible? 
If it is a non-revue type musical, it can contain pre-existing music. However, preference is given to projects with original music. 

Does a show applying for a Production Grant need to be a world premiere? 
No, it can be any production of an unlicensed new musical as long as there is active rewriting being done by the writers in residence during the project.


Writer FAQs:

Why do we have to state whether a writer is an ASCAP or BMI member?
We gather this information for internal statistical purposes; it has no influence on the panel’s selection process. 

Is there any preference given to NAMT Festival alumni writers? 
No,  but it is always great to see the membership working with the alumni!