Applications for the 2026–2027 Bob Dylan Center Songwriter Fellowship are now open through April 27. Created in partnership with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), the fellowship mentors and develops aspiring songwriters in association with the unparalleled educational resources of the Bob Dylan Center. Building on the success of its inaugural year, the program gives emerging talent direct access to the Bob Dylan Archive® and a unique creative residency in Tulsa, where Fellows can refine their songwriting craft while forging meaningful connections with music industry creative executives.
The 2026–2027 Fellows will be selected by a distinguished panel of artists: Lucy Dacus, also known for her work with boygenius; Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend; James Mercer of The Shins; and Dan Wilson.
According to Mercer, “I fell into the crevasse that is Bob Dylan’s work on a sleepless winter night in Chicago. It would be about thirty years ago now. In a sleeping bag on the filthy floor of the Red Red Meat house. I knew of the man, of course, but I had never really sat and studied the material. That experience led to changes in my writing and my perception of life as a thinking person. The access granted by this fellowship allows a new artist to explore both the finished work and the writing process employed by an American master. It is my honor to be a part of this project!”
Each Fellowship encompasses a $25,000 project stipend, public engagement and presentation opportunities and dedicated time in BDC’s Bob Dylan Archive® to study Dylan’s creative process. Fellows will travel to Tulsa for four separate visits throughout the year-long fellowship, with roundtrip airfare and accommodations provided, and will receive mentorship from UMPG songwriters and executives. They will also be given recording time at The Church Studio, the historic Tulsa studio founded by Leon Russell, where they will be aided in creating songwriter demo recordings to support the next stage of their careers.
For more information or to apply, go to https://bobdylancenter.com/songwriterfellowship?utm_source=wordfly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=BDCSongwriterFellowshipApplicationLIVE&utm_content=version_A