The EU-funded initiative pairs five European songwriters and performers with five American peers for a two-week immersion in the US music industry, running mid-May to early June 2027, capped at 300 applications
The Transatlantic Stars Music Program, an EU-funded initiative connecting European and American musicians, opens its second round of applications on Monday October 12th, closing Friday October 30th, though the programme expects to hit its cap of 300 applications before then.
Run by the European Union Delegation to the United States, the programme selects five mid-career songwriters and performers from EU member states to take part in a two-week immersion in the US music industry, running mid-May to early June 2027.
Selected artists are paired with five American peers to co-write and perform new songs together, alongside music business training covering rights management and touring, meetings with industry professionals, and educational visits to studios, museums and music businesses.
The programme runs its main leg in Cleveland, Ohio, including a public reception and showcase, before concluding with a summit in Washington, D.C. alongside participants from the initiative’s parallel visual arts and film strands.
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To be eligible, applicants must be citizens of an EU member state with a valid passport, and must have performed at a qualifying music festival or major event in the EU within the past three years. There’s no application fee, and the programme covers meals throughout.
Full details, criteria and the application portal are available via the EEAS website.
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
