Applications Open for the Emilio and Gloria Estefan Scholarship

The Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation announced that it is accepting applications for the Emilio and Gloria Estefan Scholarship from music students admitted to Berklee College of Music who are interested in Latin music.

The four-year scholarship, which holds a maximum value of $200,000, was created five years ago in an effort to support music education and Latin music genres. It will be awarded to a student who is exceptionally gifted and needs financial assistance to complete a bachelor’s degree in music.  

Musician, songwriter, and producer Emilio Estefan '07H is the winner of multiple Latin Grammy and Grammy Awards, and in 2000 became the first artist to receive the coveted Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year recognition. His extraordinary vision for business and talent transcends the music field and spills over into film, television, Broadway, hotels, and restaurants, among other endeavors.  

Gloria Estefan ’07H took the music industry by storm in 1985 as the lead singer of the Miami Sound Machine, and has since become an international superstar, winning multiple Latin Grammy and Grammy Awards and gaining recognition as one of the most accomplished singer-songwriters in the music industry. She was honored with the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year recognition in 2008. 

The Estefan's musical talents have not only catapulted their own careers, but have paved the way for other talented artists. They each received an honorary doctorate from Berklee in 2007.

"Twenty years ago we were part of the founding committee that launched the Latin Grammys, and it is such a satisfying honor to be a part of this organization as benefactors that will make reality the dream of one student with interest in Latin music. It is a pleasure to support and help a student attend one of the most prestigious and celebrated [colleges] in the world, Berklee College of Music," said Emilio Estefan on behalf of the Estefans.

"It is a privilege for us to have the support of music icons Emilio and Gloria Estefan," said Manolo Díaz, senior vice president of the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation. "As musicians and entrepreneurs, the Estefans have a vast knowledge of all the areas in the industry. Through their leadership and support we hope to not only change the life of an aspiring talent, but also inspire others to pursue the many careers available in music while inviting people to join our cause through donations.” 

Every year, the foundation's scholarship committee carefully evaluates applications from a highly competitive pool of aspiring musicians on a variety of skills and under rigorous policies.

As of today, the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation has committed to donating a remarkable $4 million towards 200 scholarships, musical instrument donations, and educational events in Ibero-America.

This is the fifth Prodigy Scholarship awarded by the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, which supports a four-year education. Previous artists who have cosponsored scholarships to attend Berklee include Enrique Iglesias (2015), Juan Luis Guerra (2016), Miguel Bosé (2017), and Carlos Vives (2018).

For applications, guidelines, and the latest news please visit the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation's official website. As part of the process, students must complete two audition videos, submit two letters of recommendation, and answer two essay questions. The materials can be submitted in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. The deadline to apply is April 10, 2019, by 11:59 p.m. EST. After reviewing the guidelines that can be found on our website, submit any questions to LGCF@grammy.com.