For more information on competitions open to RIAM students studying at Tertiary level please contact Ciara Higgins, Head of Artistic Programming at ciarahiggins@riam.ie
We are currently taking applications for the following competitions for the academic year 2025/2026:
To apply, click on the links below
Commemorating the much-loved singer and former Head of Vocal Studies at the RIAM, Irené Sandford, the annual bursary of €2,500 is generously donated by her husband, Billy Reid, in addition to a number of other prizes supported by her family, friends and donors.
Winner: The Irené Sandford Award of €3000 and Perpetual Trophy, and an engagement in the Rosemary Street Recital Series presented by Billy Reid.
Finalists: Prizes of between €500 and €1000 presented by Dr Michelle Mulligan, Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz and Deborah Kelleher.
Most Promising Performer during the Preliminary Round in memory of Margaret Quigley presented by Billy Reid.
The Gráinne Dunne Prize for the Best Performance of a German Lied presented by Kathleen Tynan.
The Diane Carey Prize for the best performance of a French mélodie presented by Paula Best
The Patricia Eberhart Aria Prize for the Best Performance of an Aria in the Preliminary Round presented by Ivy and Frank Bannister.
The Jadwiga Mackiewicz Prize for the Best Performance of an Art Song sung in Polish presented by Ewa Sadowska.
The William Reid Prize fondly donated by the Khadra-Mulligan family.
A copy of Kobbe Opera publications presented by Dr David Flynn to the three top placed performers
Eligibility: RIAM Tertiary Singing Students under the age of 32 on Monday, 20th October, 2025, excluding students on the DMus and Professional Mentorship programmes. Previous winners of the Irené Sandford Award are not eligible.
Application deadline: Monday, October 20th, 2025 at 5.00 pm.
Preliminary Round: Monday November 10th, 2025 (Daytime)
Final: Monday, November 10th, 2025 (Evening)
Programme(s): Competitors must perform a programme of two songs/arias (up to a maximum of 10 minutes) in the Preliminary Round from which four finalists will be chosen. Finalists will perform a 20-minute programme, which must include the two songs/arias performed in the Preliminary Round.
You can apply using the application form link below. You must have your teacher's approval before making an application. Please note that competitors will not be permitted to change their programme once submitted.
One of Ireland’s most substantial music awards, the Lucien and Maura Teissier Scholarship is open to all tertiary piano students including students on the DMus and Professional Mentorship of the Academy under the age of 32 on Monday, 19th January, 2026. The Lucien and Maura Teissier Scholarship is generously donated annually by Maura Teissier FRIAM.
Winner(s): The Lucien and Maura Teissier Scholarship of up to €7,500
The Beethoven “Fidelio” Perpetual Cup and €300 for the best performance of a work by Beethoven presented by Eithne and Eamonn Byrne
Eligibility: Previous winners of the Lucien and Maura Teissier Scholarship are not eligible to compete.
Application Deadline: Monday, January 19th, 2026 at 5.00 pm
Preliminary Round: Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 (Daytime)
Final: Thursday, March 19th, 2026 (Evening)
Programme(s): Final and Preliminary Round competitors must perform a recital of 20 minutes.
In addition, applicants will also be required to submit a one-page document with a concrete detailed plan on how the scholarship will be spent should it be awarded to the applicant.
You can apply using the application form link below. You must have your teacher's approval before making an application. Please note that competitors will not be permitted to change their programme once submitted.
An opportunity for all tertiary students to compete for a coveted performance opportunity with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, the Maura Dowdall Award of €1000.
First Prize: €1000 donated by the Dowdall Family and a solo performance with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland at the discretion of the NSOI.
Eligibility: RIAM Tertiary Students, including students on the DMus and Professional Mentorship programmes under the age of 32 on Monday, 20th October, 2025. Previous winners of the Maura Dowdall Award are not eligible to compete.
Application Deadline: Monday, October 20th, 2025 at 5.00 pm
Preliminary Round: Wednesday, November 12th, 2025 (All Day)
Semi-Final Round: Wednesday, January 21st, 2026 (All Day)
Final Round: Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 (Evening)
Programme(s): For the Preliminary Round, competitors must prepare up to 10 minutes of one movement of the concerto/work for solo instrument/voice which the competitor intends to perform in the Final, if selected. In both the Semi-Final and the Final, competitors must perform the complete concerto/work for solo instrument/voice.
You can apply using the application form link below. You must have your teacher's approval before making an application. Please note that competitors will not be permitted to change their programme once submitted.
An exciting competition offering for RIAM string students honours one of the Academy’s most beloved and esteemed teachers, violinist Maeve Broderick.
In addition to the title prize, a number of special prizes celebrating audience engagement, creative programming, virtuosic repertoire, the solo works of JS Bach and music by underrepresented composers are also awarded.
First Prize: €750
Second Prize: €500
Third Prize: €250
Five Individual Special Prizes of €100
Eligibility: RIAM Tertiary Students, including students on the DMus and Professional Mentorship programmes
Application Deadline: Monday, January 19th, 2026 at 5.00 pm
Preliminary Round: Monday and Tuesday, March 23rd and 24th, 2026 (Daytime)
Final: Wednesday, March 25th, 2026 (Evening)
Programme(s): Competitors must perform a programme with spoken introduction of up to 15 minutes (to include spoken introduction) in the Preliminary Round from which up to 6 finalists will be chosen. The programme must be introduced by the competitor. In the Final, competitors will perform a 20-minute programme, which must include the works performed in the Preliminary Round and one additional work. This programme must also be introduced by the competitor.
You can apply using the application form link below. You must have your teacher's approval before making an application. Please note that competitors will not be permitted to change their programme once submitted.