Program Overview

The Christine Havrilla Family Women in Music Scholarship honors the lasting legacy, resilience, and collaborative spirit of the beloved Mid-Atlantic singer-songwriter Christine Havrilla. Established by Frantic Music Project, Inc., this fund provides targeted micro-grants of up to $599 to independent, female-identifying musicians. This program  invests directly in the professional tools and business resources required to build a sustainable, lifelong career in independent music.
 

Application Timeline & Important Dates

The scholarship follows a strict annual review cycle to support artists planning their upcoming projects:

• November 1: The annual application window officially opens.

• February 1: The deadline for all submissions. Applications must be received by 11:59 PM EST to be considered for that year's cycle.

• March 5 (Christine's Birthday): Selected awardees will receive private notifications of their selection, celebrating Christine’s enduring spirit and legacy.

• April: The final list of scholarship winners will be publicly announced across all Frantic Music Project platforms and media outlets.

Eligible Funding Categories

Applicants may request funding for one or more of the following professional needs:

• Equipment Maintenance & Gear Servicing: Repair, setup, and maintenance of existing performance gear (e.g., guitar setups, amp or other gear repairs/maintenance).

• Touring & Travel Expenses: Fuel, lodging, vehicle rentals, and transit logistics for regional or national touring.

• Professional Development & Education: Industry conference registration, specialized workshops, masterclasses, or business coaching.

• Studio Recording & Production: Studio rental tracking time, mixing, and mastering services.

• New Equipment & Gear: Purchasing reliable instruments, effects pedals, or live performance tools.

• Website & Digital Branding: Domain registration, hosting, and professional web design services.

• Promotion & Marketing: Localized PR campaigns, music distribution fees, social media ad spend, and asset creation.

Eligibility Criteria

• Scholarship is open to applicants identifying as females.

• Open to All Ages: Applicants of any age are welcome to apply; there are no minimum or maximum age restrictions for this award.

• Must be an active, independent musical artist.

• Must demonstrate a commitment to original music and building community.

• Geographic Focus: Applicants must be active independent musicians currently residing, creating, or performing primarily within the Mid-Atlantic region (including Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington D.C., whose focus is mainly in the State of Delaware.

• Evaluation of Financial Need: Understanding that financial barriers often disrupt creative momentum, selection preference is heavily weighted toward independent artists experiencing genuine economic hurdles. Applicants are asked to transparently demonstrate how these specific funds will bridge an active funding deficit, buy down out-of-pocket expenses, or directly unlock professional income opportunities that would otherwise remain financially out of reach.

• Final Report Agreement: All accepted recipients must formally agree to submit a brief Final Impact & Fund Utilization Report, accompanied by matching expense receipts, within six (6) months of receiving their funding to document how the scholarship directly advanced their music career.

• Organizational Recognition & Credit: Scholarship recipients agree to credit Frantic Music Project, Inc. as a supporting organization on the funded project or initiative. This includes placing the Frantic Music Project logo or a written acknowledgment (e.g., "Supported in part by Frantic Music Project's Christine Havrilla Family Women in Music Scholarship") on physical liner notes, promotional posters, event programs, or the artist's official website where applicable.

• Reapplication & Award Frequency Rules: To ensure funds reach a diverse network of creators, selected awardees are eligible to reapply every other year (e.g., a 2027 winner may apply again for the 2029 cycle), though preference during evaluation will always be given to first-time applicants. Conversely, applicants who are not selected for an award are highly encouraged to refine their proposals and reapply the very next year.
  
  Note: This award is considered taxable ordinary income by default under IRS guidelines. Recipients assume sole responsibility for any local, state, or federal tax reporting. All Awardees must fill out a W-9 Form prior to receiving funds.