Purpose
The Community Impact Project (CIP) is designed to encourage collaboration, innovation, and leadership through music. This grant supports School of Music students who propose initiatives rooted in community service or engagement. These initiatives should aim towards a measurable impact on one or more of the following communities:
- USC School of Music
- University of South Carolina campuses
- City of Columbia and its surrounding communities
- State of South Carolina
- National/International communities
Funding Amount
Qualifying projects are eligible to receive up to $1,500 in scholarship funding in recognition of their project's impact and success. Additionally, each qualifying project can receive up to $250 in seed funding to support the initial development and execution of their Community Impact Project.
Who Can Apply
Current School of Music full-time students at the University of South Carolina
How to Apply
The Community Impact Project is a three-part process:
- Phase 1: Proposal Submission
- Submit your Grant Proposal outlining your project. If approved, you will be eligible to receive up to $250 to initiate and develop your project.
- Phase 2: Project Implementation/Completion
- Phase 3: Final Submission
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- Students must have either completed their project or be in the process of completing it to be considered for the final scholarship funds. Because timelines may vary, students are expected to communicate any updates or changes in their projects to Spark, especially if they are unable to complete the project by the established deadline but still wish to be considered for the award.
- Students must submit a Final Project Submission Video that includes the following components:
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- Project Execution: Describe how the project was carried out. Summarize the project outcomes, impact, and how the seed funding was used.
- Community Impact: Share the results.
- Reflection: Discuss what went well and what challenges you faced. Reflect on what you might do differently in the future or in a future version of the project.
- Documentation: Demonstrate evidence of the project (e.g., photos, videos, event programs, testimonials,
etc.)
Students who have submitted their Final Project Submission Video will be considered for up to $1500 CIP Scholarship.
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Apply
Access the application form using this link.
Key Dates for project timeline
- Project proposal deadline: October 17, 2025
- Project completion (or near completion) deadline: April 6, 2026
- Final submission due: April 10, 2026
What should you include in your project proposal:
- What community are you seeking to engage with?
- Why are you seeking to engage with this community?
- Who will be involved? (Potential partnerships and collaborators if applicable)
- How do you plan to implement the project?
- How will the impact be measured?
- Where will the project physically take place, if different from target community? (may be multiple, or subject to change as the project develops)
- Project timeline (A theoretical detailed outline of your project including, steps, dates and events)
- Project expenses/budget (subject to change as the project develops)
- Request of initial seed-funding
Eligibility criteria:
Eligible projects should demonstrate:
- Clear and measurable impact on at least one target community
- Leadership, collaboration, and engagement through music
- Detailed timeline and specific goals
- If this is a recording project: Approval from student's applied professor is required
Ineligible projects:
- Projects without a clear community impact component
- Proposals that have received Spark funding more than three times
- Recording projects not pre-approved by an applied professor
- Commissions of new music
For additional information, please contact Alejandra Vega at spark@mozart.sc.edu.
Past projects
Creativity in Music projects reflect the diversity of student interests at the School of Music.
- Performances (recitals on and off-campus, chamber music, etc.)
- Student organized studio collaborations
- Educational Events and Creative Presentations
- Community Programming and Interactive Events
- Service or Issue Driven Causes
- Other student-driven events involving musical performance and an audience
- Agnieszka Lasko Celebrating Women Composers through 22
- Nocturnes for Chopin
- Maddy LaFontan Masterclass Series- Vocal Vibes
- Austin Englehardt The Art of Sound
- Antoine Marshall The Collective Commissioning Project
- Shupeng Cao: Creative Convergence
- Garrett Fuller: Fuller Forests
- Christine Powell: Perform & Paint
- Molly Thomas: Keys for Kids
Members of the Spark team are available to consult about project design and the application process. If you have questions or would like to meet with someone, email spark@mozart.sc.edu.
Applications are to be completed using the online submission process. Click here for form.
Late proposals or project summaries will not be accepted.