The RMA Practice Research Prize was established in 2023 to celebrate work for which practice is the significant method of research. It will be awarded annually by the RMA for an outstanding piece of work that demonstrates originality, significance and rigour in research*.

Award winners are invited to present their work at the RMA Annual Conference.

Eligibility: For this third year, the award is open to outputs with a publication date between 2023–2024.

Application process:

Nominations can be made by any member of the RMA, and self-nominations are encouraged. We strongly encourage applications that reflect the full diversity of music studies.

Submissions should be made via the online form.

Submissions should include 300 words (max) of text outlining the role of practice in the research together with a link to the practice research work online; the research dimension and contribution to knowledge should be clearly articulated.

Submissions may take any digital form (e.g. scores as PDF/image, audio/video recordings) but need to be available via a link to one online folder containing the work.

Applications should be received by 15 June 2025. The Awards Committee’s recommendation will be submitted to the following meeting of Council, and, if approved, the award will be announced at the Annual General Meeting, held each September during the RMA’s Annual Conference.

* Research is defined as a process of investigation leading to new insights, effectively shared. This is in line with the current Research England and Practice Research Advisory Group (PRAG-UK) definition). See also the Bulley/Şahin Report on Practice Research (2021): especially p.1 (PDF p.27), and pp.4+ (PDF p.30+) <https://bl.iro.bl.uk/downloads/b3afceff-c502-4c59-8855-6fc5889a41f4?locale=en>