Sony/ATV and Bleeding Fingers Music have teamed up to launch a Screen Scoring Diversity Scholarship within the Screen Scoring Master’s Program at the USC’s Thornton School of Music. As part of Sony Music Group’s Social Justice Fund efforts, the scholarship encourages inclusivity and expands opportunities for Black composers throughout the film and scoring industry.

Covering the entire program cost, including tuition, housing and meals, equipment, moving costs, software purchases and more, the scholarship also provides an apprenticeship opportunity at Bleeding Fingers Music, which is home to program alumni Austin Hammonds, among other notable composers.

“We are proud to partner with Bleeding Fingers and USC Thornton to establish this scholarship as we work to break down barriers for Black composers. We look forward to bringing a wide range of new, creative voices to the film and scoring community, and throughout the music industry,” shared Sony/ATV Chairman and CEO Jon Platt.

“There are many barriers to becoming a composer, not least is the expense of studying at a top school. We want to break down this wall and find some truly gifted individuals that will become role models of the future,” added Hans Zimmer, who co-founded BFM alongside Steve Kofsky and Russell Emanuel.

To learn more about the program and apply, click here. The submission deadline for the 2021-22 academic year is 12/1/20.