Musicweek.com
The Bob Dylan Center has teamed up once again with Universal Music Publishing Group to launch the second edition of their Songwriter Fellowship, with applications now open for the 2026–2027 cycle.
The program, established to nurture the next generation of songwriting talent, offers two emerging writers a year-long creative residency rooted in the vast archival and educational resources housed in Tulsa. Designed as both a developmental and industry-facing opportunity, the fellowship gives recipients the space to refine their craft while forming connections with key figures across the music business.
This year’s selection committee brings together a diverse group of acclaimed artists, including Lucy Dacus, Ezra Koenig, James Mercer and Dan Wilson. Mercer, reflecting on his own formative encounters with Bob Dylan’s catalog, described the fellowship as a rare chance for writers to engage deeply with both the finished works and the creative process of one of music’s most influential figures.
Each selected fellow will receive a $25,000 stipend, along with opportunities for dedicated research time within the Center’s official archive. The initiative aims to provide not just financial backing, but the often-elusive gift of uninterrupted creative focus.
According to Center director Steven Jenkins, the upcoming cycle will build on lessons from its inaugural year, with an emphasis on amplifying artistic ambition and broadening the program’s national reach. Marc Cimino echoed that sentiment, highlighting the importance of giving songwriters both inspiration and the professional runway needed to develop their voices.
The first cohort, Tega Ethan and Taylor Zickefoose, wrapped their residencies earlier this year, setting the stage for a new pair of fellows to follow.
Applications are open through April 27, with the program set to run from August 2026 through July 2027. Eligible candidates must be U.S.-based, at least 18-years-old and not currently signed to a publishing deal.
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