The Bob Dylan Centre (BDC) and Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) have today opened applications for the 2026–2027 Songwriter Fellowship.
Now in its second year, the fellowship is designed to mentor and develop aspiring songwriters in association with the educational resources of The Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The creative residency is awarded annually to two recipients who demonstrate exceptional promise and artistic vision. It enables them to build their songcraft and forge connections with music industry executives.
A panel of artists including Lucy Dacus (solo artist and member of Boygenius), Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend, James Mercer of The Shins, and singer-songwriter Dan Wilson will choose the two fellows.
Mercer said: “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 honour to be a part of this project!”
Songwriters need inspiration and the time to focus on their craft. Through our partnership with the Bob Dylan Center, this fellowship gives emerging writers a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in the work and creative legacy of one of the greatest songwriters of all time
Marc Cimino
Each fellowship includes a $25,000 (£8,759) project stipend, public engagement and presentation opportunities, and dedicated time in the BDC’s official Bob Dylan Archive to study the songwriting great’s creative process.
Steven Jenkins, director, BDC, said: “All of us here at the Bob Dylan Center are looking forward to the second year of the Songwriter Fellowship. We’re eager to apply our learnings and successes from the inaugural round and build on our partnership with UMPG to ensure that we maximise the artistry, ambition and impact of the most talented up-and-coming songwriters from across the country. I’m really looking forward to discovering my favorite new songwriters and songs."
Marc Cimino, chief operating officer, UMPG, added: “Songwriters need inspiration and the time to focus on their craft. Through our partnership with the Bob Dylan Center, this fellowship gives emerging writers a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in the work and creative legacy of one of the greatest songwriters of all time, while developing their own songwriting voices and building relationships that can help shape the next chapter of their careers.”
The inaugural fellowship recipients, Tega Ethan and Taylor Zickefoose, completed their year-long fellowships earlier in 2026.
Applications are open from today (March 17) until April 27. To be eligible, entrants must be 18 years or older, US citizens, and unsigned to a publishing agreement of any kind at the time of the fellowship start date, August 2026-July 2027.
PHOTO: Barry Feinstein
