SphinxConnect Fellowships

Apply for a SphinxConnect Fellowship! Key dates:

Application Opens
July 21st, 2026

Application Closes (late applications will not be accepted)
October 20th, 2026, at 11:59 pm ET

Application Updates Sent Via Email
Early November

Please note that all applicants must be 18 years old as of October 20th, 2026 to be considered for SphinxConnect Fellowship opportunities.

MPower Fellowships

  • SphinxConnect MPower Information

    For early-career artists, musicians, and creative practitioners ready to take their next step. The MPower Fellowship embeds you in the Sphinx ecosystem with the mentorship, community, and professional development you need to move your project or career forward.

    What’s Included:

    • A curated cohort experience at SphinxConnect and throughout the year. The program includes workshops, cohort specific programming, and mentor introductions.

    • A room at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center for 4 nights

      • Check-in: Wednesday, January 20 (after 4:00 PM ET)

      • Check-out: Sunday, January 24 (by 11:00 AM ET)

    • Roundtrip domestic economy airfare, booked through the Navan platform, pending completion of all required steps by the deadline

    • Recognition as a MPower Fellow (highlighted on Sphinx’s website and social media)

  • All MPower Fellowship recipients must complete the below requirements:

    • MPower fellows must schedule a Zoom prep call with Sphinx Team prior to December 1, 2026 to finalize details of their experience.

    • Attend the Opening Plenary at 7:30 pm ET on Thursday evening, January 21st.

    • Attend the Closing Plenary at 3:30 pm ET on Saturday afternoon, January 23rd.

    • Attend the Sphinx Competition Finals Concert on Saturday evening, January 23rd.

      • Ground transportation to and from the concert hall will be provided.

    • The MPower Fellowship is for artists who are early in their careers but not yet at an established level

    • Individuals or groups with a clear project or career goal who need guidance, mentorship, and strategic support to move it forward

    • Those seeking community, connection, and professional development

    • MPower applicants will automatically be considered for General Fellowship support if not awarded.

    • If interested in both MPower and Spotlight Fellowships, please apply to both programs separately. Fellows will only be awarded for one pathway.

Spotlight Fellowships

  • SphinxConnect Spotlight Information
    For emerging artists, creators, and entrepreneurs interested in sharing innovative projects or creative ideas through a dynamic presentation at SphinxConnect.

    What’s Included:

    • A featured presentation slot during the SphinxConnect convening

    • A room at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center for 3 nights

      • Check-in: Thursday, January 21 (after 4:00 PM ET)

      • Check-out: Sunday, January 24 (by 11:00 AM ET)

    • Roundtrip domestic economy airfare, booked through the Navan platform, pending completion of all required steps by the deadline

    • Recognition as a Spotlight Series Presenter (highlighted on Sphinx’s website and social media)

  • All Spotlight Fellowship recipients must complete the below requirements:

    • Spotlight fellows must schedule a 30-minute Zoom prep call with Sphinx Team prior to December 1, 2026 to finalize details of their session.

    • A featured presentation slot during the SphinxConnect convening. Timing to be discussed with Sphinx Team*

    • Attend the Opening Plenary at 7:30 pm ET on Thursday evening, January 21st.

    • Attend the Closing Plenary at 3:30 pm ET on Saturday afternoon, January 23rd.

    • Attend the Sphinx Competition Finals Concert on Saturday evening, January 23rd.

      • Ground transportation to and from the concert hall will be provided.

    • Early-career artists, ensembles, entrepreneurs, and innovators

    • Individuals or groups with original, creative, and nontraditional projects

    • Those seeking a platform to share performance-based or entrepreneurial work in a concise format

    • Spotlight applicants will automatically be considered for a General Fellowship if not awarded

    • If interested in both Spotlight and MPower Fellowships, please apply to both programs separately. Fellows will only be awarded for one pathway

General
Fellowships

  • Group Fellowships

    For groups of 2 to 4 individuals who wish to share a hotel room with two double beds.

    To apply:

    • Each person must submit an individual application on Acceptd using a shared group name (e.g., Sphinx Team).

    • All group members will be considered for the following support:

    What’s Included:

    • A shared room at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center for 3 nights

      • Check-in: Thursday, January 21 (after 4:00 PM ET)

      • Check-out: Sunday, January 24 (by 11:00 AM ET)

    • Roundtrip domestic economy airfare, booked individually through the Navan platform, pending completion of all required steps by the deadline

    Single Fellowships

    For individuals interested in attending SphinxConnect, but do not wish to share a room.

    What’s Included:

    • A room at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center for 3 nights

      • Check-in: Thursday, January 21 (after 4:00 PM ET)

      • Check-out: Sunday, January 24 (by 11:00 AM ET)

    • Roundtrip economy airfare, booked through the Navan platform, pending completion of all required steps by the deadline.

    Upon arrival, ground transportation between the airport and hotel is not covered. Buses will be available for departure.

    To increase chances of being selected for a fellowship, single applicants may opt-in to share a room with two double beds with another fellow.

    Please note that due to the double occupancy, Group Fellowships are prioritized.

  • All Fellowship recipients must complete the below requirements as part of their experience at SphinxConnect.

    • Attend the Opening Plenary at 7:30 pm ET on Thursday evening, January 21st.

    • Attend the Closing Plenary at 3:30 pm ET on Saturday afternoon, January 23rd.

    • Attend the Sphinx Competition Finals Concert on Saturday evening, January 23rd.

      • Ground transportation to and from the concert hall will be provided.

    Complete two surveys following the convening:

    • Fellowship Impact Statement & Closing Survey (shared via email following the convening)
      Due by 5:00 pm ET on Saturday, January 30th.

    Fellows who do not complete these requirements may be asked to return any travel funds sent to them and/or prohibited from applying for future Fellowship application cycles.

Application Process

All Fellowship Applications will open on July 21st, 2026. To apply, you will need an Acceptd account:

  • Navigate to app.getacceptd.com/signup

  • Create your account using your email and create a password

  • Fill out all necessary info and then click “Create Account”

Once signed into your Acceptd account, navigate to sphinxmusic.getacceptd.com and select SphinxConnect Fellowship from the dropdown on the left side of the page

FAQS

  • Applicants must be 18 years old as of October 20th, 2026, to be considered for a fellowship. 

  • If awarded a Fellowship, you will be notified via email in early November. All offers are contingent upon the completion of the action items specified in your Fellowship Offer by the stated deadline.

    You are strongly advised to ensure you can receive emails from Cheyenne@SphinxMusic.org so that you do not miss any notifications about an award. If you miss the deadline to sign the agreement and complete corresponding action items, Sphinx will assume you are no longer interested and extend the Fellowship offer to someone on the waitlist.

  • You will be automatically placed on a waitlist in case someone declines or drops out. If you are considered to move off of the waitlist, a member of the Sphinx team will notify you via email by December 1.

  • If you are awarded housing support, Sphinx will book your room for you in  early January. Email notifications regarding your room reservation will come directly from the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center approximately one week prior to the convening. 

  • Yes! Applicants to the MPower or Spotlight Fellowships will automatically be considered for General Fellowship support.

    Applying for the General Fellowship alone does not include consideration for MPower or Spotlight. You are welcome to apply to all three programs, but fellows will be selected for one pathway only.