Are you a young female or non-binary composer, songwriter, or musician taking your first steps into the professional world? Are you currently studying at, or have you recently graduated from an AEC member institution in Europe? Would you like to connect with inspiring role models, gain first-hand insight into the music industry, and become part of a European network that values equality, diversity, and fair access to the labour market?

The AEC–ECSA–EJN–JMI Mentorship Programme 2025-2027 is an EU-funded initiative that offers exactly this opportunity. Building on the success of previous editions, the 2025–2027 programme is designed to introduce emerging musicians to the professional sector while actively working to enhance gender equality and non-binary visibility in the music industry.

Over the course of six months, selected mentees will receive guidance and advice from experienced composers, songwriters, and performers across three genre areas:

  • Contemporary classical music
  • Folk, world, and traditional music
  • Jazz and creative, improvised music

Mentees will participate in individual online sessions with their mentors, focusing on artistic development, career planning, and navigating the professional landscape. In addition, they will join international networking events where participants from different disciplines meet to exchange ideas and present their work, becoming part of a supportive community of peers and role models that extends far beyond the programme itself.

Who is behind?

The Mentorship Programme is a joint initiative of four leading European networks: European Association of Conservatoires (AEC), European Composer and Songwriter Alliance (ECSA), Europe Jazz Network (EJN), and Jeunesses Musicales International (JMI), through its Ethno programme. Together, they will appoint 9 mentors (3 from each genre area) and select 9 mentees from among students and alumni of AEC member institutions.

In addition, the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, drawing on its REMAM project, along with Keychange, Play It Loud!, and EPASA, will contribute to the programme by providing expertise in mentorship design and supporting dissemination across Europe.

How does it work?

The Mentorship Programme runs over a period of 6 months, and includes the following stages:

12 February 2026

Kick-off meeting, in the frame of the AEC Pop and Jazz Platform (PJP) in Helsinki.

 1 April to 30 September 2026

Mentorship sessions, consisting of at least 3 individual online meetings mentor-mentee.

 March 2027 (date TBC)

Dissemination event, organised in the frame of ECSA’s Creators Conference in Brussels.

Financial support

To support participation, mentees will receive financial support thanks to the European Union funding awarded to the AEC as part of its 2025–2028 work plan. This contribution provides a maximum lump sum of 1.700,00€ per mentee, including travel (700,00€), accommodation (720,00€), and daily allowance (280,00€) for the kick-off meeting in Helsinki and the dissemination event in Brussels.

The lump sum will be paid in 3 instalments:

  • 40% in December 2025
  • 40% in October 2026
  • 20% in March 2027

Selected mentees will be required to sign an agreement committing to book their travel and accommodation, participate fully in the mentorship sessions, and attend both the kick-off meeting and the dissemination event in-person. They are responsible for their presence at all required activities

If additional funds are needed, the AEC member institution to which the mentee belongs is expected to provide further support. The AEC will not allocate any additional funding beyond the agreed lump sum. In case of non-compliance with the agreement or failure to attend the mandatory events, mentees will be required to reimburse the funds received.

Why apply?

As a mentee of the AEC-ECSA-EJN-JMI Mentorship Programme, you will:

  • Gain personalised guidance and support from experienced professionals
  • Explore different perspectives across genres
  • Build long-lasting connections within the European music community
  • Contribute to a wider movement that promotes DEI in the sector
  • Have the chance to present yourself and your music in international contexts
  • Receive financial support that enables you to participate in networking events

How to apply?

Applications to the Mentorship Programme must be submitted online (link to follow) by 10 November 2025, 11:59 pm (CET): https://forms.gle/xYBHww77QLaC1xj67. Each application should include:

  • A motivation statement (max. 250 words)
  • A short biography (max. 150 words)
  • A description of your special interests (to help match you with the right mentor)
  • Links to your work (Spotify, SoundCloud, Vimeo, YouTube, personal website)

⚠️ Applications must come from students or alumni of AEC member institutions.

⚠️ Applications missing required materials will not be considered.

Apply now!

Timeline

  • October-November 2025: Application period
  • December 2025: Selection of mentees and matching with mentors
  • February 2026: Kick-off meeting at the AEC’s Pop and Jazz Platform (PJP) in Helsinki
  • April-September 2026: Online mentorship sessions (at least 3, approx. 1 every 2 months)
  • October 2026: Submission of evaluation forms by mentors and mentees
  • March 2027: Final dissemination event at the ECSA’s Creators Conference in Brussels

Contact

For questions about the AEC-ECSA-EJN-JMI Mentorship Programme 2025-2027 or the application process, please contact Alfonso Guerra at alfonsoguerra@aec-music.eu.