globalFEST Touring Fund relaunched!

Past Artists Apply Here

The globalFEST Touring Fund (gFTF) is for past gF Artists
who are on Tour in the U.S.
from July 1, 2026-January 31, 2027
‍Application Deadline: June 5, 2026 (11pm EDT)

ABOUT

Touring is an expensive, necessary investment. The globalFEST Touring Fund makes grants directly to alumni artists to offset budget shortfalls. These grants provide necessary funds to support financially viable tours and strengthen career paths in the United States.

Since 2011, the globalFEST Touring Fund has distributed $120,140 to 38 bands and 200+ individual artists. Previous tours have brought artists to over 140 new cities across the country, in front of tens of thousands of fans. The Touring Fund is aimed at helping to amplify extraordinary artists through their music shining light on global and regional American music.

The globalFEST Touring Fund is under the Direction of Deirdre Valente.

support the globalfest touring fund

The relaunch of the globalFEST Touring Fund is made possible, in part, with support from the Mellon Foundation. If your organization is interested in continuing this important work, please contact Isabel Soffer and Deirdre Valente at touringfund@globalfest.org for more information.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

Application Details (please review)

Only Artists who have appeared at globalFEST’s NYC flagship January festival/showcase (2004-2026) or at a NYC gF summer festival (including 2026) are eligible. Non-US citizens must have valid O or P visas in order to apply.

Tour period: July 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027

Tours must include confirmed public performances in at least three different cities; one market must be new or ‘cold’ (cold means no performance in the previous 5 years).

The fund reimburses tour expenses including travel, lodging, visa costs, gear rental, and more. We do not support artist fees, but they must be included in the budget.

Grant range: $3,000-$5,000

Notifications will be made in late June, 2026. If awarded, funds are reimbursements, paid after the tour is complete; an invoice, verified expense receipts, and a written report are required for payment.

We expect to reopen applications later this year for tours taking place in the calendar year 2027.

‍Application Information Packet & Sample Budget

Applications must be submitted electronically by 11pm on June 5, 2026 (EDT).

Download the Application Information Packet. All applicants should read this packet in detail before applying. If you have any trouble downloading this document, contact touringfund@globalfest.org.

Download the gFTF Application Information PacketDownload the gFTF Sample Budget Template

All elements of the application must be submitted at one time via Jotform.

‍Once you begin this application you will be able to save it and return to it, but you must hit save to be able to return to it. Once submitted, you can no longer make changes.

We recommend drafting and editing narratives in a word processing program first and then pasting into the form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the grant support performances outside of the U.S.?
No.
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‍Do the engagements have to be contiguous?
No, but all performances must take place during the tour period: July 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027.

‍If visa are required and we don’t have them by the application deadline, should we apply anyway?
No. Confirmed “O” or “P” visas for all travelers are required and scans must be uploaded as part of your application.

‍I don’t have signed letters of commitment/contracts, can I still apply and provide these later?
No. Copies must be submitted as part of your application. All required materials must be submitted by the deadline.

‍If I am participating in gFEST during the grant period, will you support expenses for that gig?
No. If a gFEST appearance is part of your tour, gFTF will consider support for three additional engagements.

‍How much money am I eligible to apply for?
The minimum grant amount to request is $3,000 up to $5,000. If awarded, some applicants may receive partial funding.

‍If I receive a grant, when and how can I expect to receive the funding?
Two weeks after you complete your tour, you will submit your final report along with an invoice and copies of receipts. You should expect to receive payment via EFT within 7-10 business days thereafter. The gFTF cannot make advance payments; awards are reimbursements of verified expenses.

‍If my group has changed personnel since I performed at globalFEST, am I still eligible to apply for the gFTF?
If your group has changed personnel, you may still apply for the gFTF as long as your group has kept the same name. Please describe any major personnel changes or shifts in artistic direction in your application.

‍What do you mean by “to qualify, the proposed tours must include a minimum of three public performances in three different markets?”
To be considered a qualified tour, your group must play three public performances and perform in three different markets, one of which must be a new market. Approved public performances include concerts at theaters, concert halls, Performing Arts Centers, festivals, clubs and major showcases.

‍What qualifies as a “new market?”
A market is a location such as a town or city. A “new market” is a market where your group has either never performed in previously or has not performed in for five years or longer.

‍If my application has been chosen, how do I submit the final report and when is the final report due?
Final reports will be submitted electronically and must be received within 2 weeks of your tour’s completion. A final report form will be provided to grantees with notification of their grant award. gF staff may contact participants periodically following the tour for program evaluation purposes.
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‍Who will review my application?
Applications will be reviewed by a panel comprised of globalFEST team members and three specialists in the performing arts field from different regions of the U.S.

‍When will I find out if my application has been chosen?
All applicants will be notified of the status of their application via email at the end of June 2026.

Will there be funds to support future tours?
Yes. We plan to make at least one more call for applications later this year to support tours taking place in 2027.

‍I still have questions.
We want to help. Please email touringfund@globalfest.org as early in the process as possible. We cannot offer application guidance 48 hours before the deadline.