Call for Applications: Ö1 Talentebörse Composition Award 2026


The Ö1 Talentebörse Composition Award, amounting to 10,000 euros, is presented by Ö1 and the Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB) and will be awarded for the tenth time in 2025. This Ö1 award is dedicated to supporting young composers studying at one of the following five Austrian music universities: mdw - University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, Music and Arts Private University of the City of Vienna, Anton Bruckner Private University, Mozarteum University Salzburg, University of Music and Performing Arts Graz.

The core focus of this Ö1 funding initiative is sustainability in the promotion of emerging talents. The fundamental idea is to enable an outstanding talent from one of the five Austrian music universities, selected by an independent expert jury, to create a new composition, have it premiered, and gain broad media exposure.

All application conditions and detailed information as a PDF (in German)
 

Who can apply?
All composition students enrolled at the above-mentioned music universities at the time of the call for applications are eligible to apply for the Ö1 Talentebörse Composition Award 2026.
 

Composition requirements

  • The Ö1 Talentebörse Composition Award is a commission for a chamber music composition, which may also integrate electronics.

  • The composition should include three to a maximum of five instruments. If electronics are used, an additional musician or technician may be included.

  • The composition must feature one of the following instruments: violin, viola, or violoncello. (Explanation: For the premiere of the new work, one of these instruments from the OeNB's collection of historical string instruments, may be used.)
    Link: https://www.oenb.at/Ueber-Uns/Kunst-und-Kultur/sammlung-historischer-streichinstrumente.html)

  • The duration of the new composition should be between 10 and a maximum of 20 minutes.
     

Application documents
Together with the completed and signed application form, the following documents must be submitted digitally to careercenter@mdw.ac.at:

  • Scores of three compositions from different musical genres that the applicant has already created, in PDF format

  • Descriptions of these three compositions as a text file, e.g. Word (no PDF, max. 300 characters including spaces per composition)

  • Artist biography as a text file, e.g. Word (no PDF): tabular, concise. With details such as date of birth, place of residence, education and previous artistic activities, e.g. world premieres, concerts, workshops, participation in competitions, etc. (max. one A4 page) 

  • Artist photo (resolution: 300 dpi) with copyright information

  • Proof of enrollment

Note: Only applications that are complete and meet the above-mentioned criteria can be considered.


Application deadline: The submission period for the Ö1 Talentebörse Composition Award 2026 begins on March 2, 2026, and ends on April 13, 2026.

Application form (in German)
Terms and conditions for the Ö1 Talentebörse Composition Award 2026 (in German)
Submissions to careercenter@mdw.ac.at
 

Open Call: Ö1 goes Song Contest

Your sound on the radio – Are you a student, do you make music (or enjoy experimenting with sound) and want to be part of the Eurovision experience? Then listen up: Ö1 is looking for your sound! As part of the ESC 2026, Ö1 is launching an open call for all music enthusiasts aged 14 and above – whether you want to unleash your creative energy in the rehearsal room, your shared flat or in the middle of semester stress.

What are we looking for?
Short, creative acoustic pieces where you have complete freedom:
A cappella or singer-songwriter
Tracks you have composed yourself
Electronic sounds
Field recordings, noises, experiments
Or anything that has never been heard before
In short: No genre restrictions. No right or wrong. Just your sound.

How to participate:
Length: 40–50 seconds
Upload by 7 April 2026

What happens next?
A jury will select the best 24 entries
One additional place will go to the final via wild card
The top 25 tracks will be broadcast on Ö1 during ESC week from 11 to 15 May 2026

Online voting
Online voting will be open from 21 April to 4 May.
The three sounds with the most votes will each win €1,500 in prize money 

Application period until 7 April 2026 inclusive, apply online here.
 

Meisterkurse, Sommerkurse, Akademien

 

Under the following link you can find offers for summer academies and master classes:

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