Undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in music have an opportunity to apply for a $5,000 national scholarship honoring the life and legacy of legendary contralto Marian Anderson, whose artistry and quiet courage helped reshape American cultural and civil rights history.
The Marian Anderson Legacy Scholarship, sponsored by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, is now accepting applications through January 31, 2026. The one-time award is presented annually to a single student enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or university who is studying music at the undergraduate or graduate level.
Eligible applicants must have a concentration in music, including performance, composition, theory, or music education, and must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent. Applicants must be accepted to or currently enrolled in their institution at the time of application.
DAR officials are encouraging interested students to begin the application process early. Letters of reference are required and must be submitted through the online application portal, a process that can take additional time if recommenders need advance notice.
The scholarship also reflects Marian Anderson’s lifelong commitment to service and community engagement. As part of the application, students are required to submit a personal statement describing their humanitarian or volunteer contributions to their community or country. Organizers say this requirement is meant to mirror Anderson’s belief that artistic excellence should be paired with civic responsibility.
“Her legacy lives on in others who aim for excellence in musical studies, are committed to their communities, and are willing to stand up for what is right,” said DAR President General Ginnie Sebastian Storage in a statement announcing the application period.
While the scholarship is open to students nationwide, preference is given to applicants from the Philadelphia metropolitan area, the city Marian Anderson called home, even if they are pursuing their music studies elsewhere.
The award is not automatically renewable, but recipients may reapply for consideration each year for up to four consecutive years.
Marian Anderson, born in 1897, rose to international acclaim despite facing racial barriers that once prevented her from performing at certain major venues. She became a symbol of dignity and perseverance, most notably after her historic 1939 open-air concert at the Lincoln Memorial, which drew tens of thousands of listeners and marked a defining moment in American cultural history. In later years, she did perform at Constitution Hall, a venue once closed to her, reflecting the broader societal changes her career helped inspire.
The Marian Anderson Legacy Scholarship is supported through the DAR’s Marian Anderson Legacy Fund, which was established to honor her contributions to music, culture, and civil rights.
Applications and full eligibility requirements are available at the DAR’s scholarship website. Students must submit all materials, including references, by January 31.