Short Description
MERITA Platform supports the European circulation of the new generation of professional chamber music ensembles. The Platform has received a second co-funding from the European Commission and will launch a second edition, MERITAcubed, running from 2025 to 2029.
This cycle opens up exciting possibilities for 44 new ensembles (22 string quartets and 22 piano trios), including paid concert engagements, the chance to design innovative outreach and special projects through online training and residencies, and the opportunity to connect with a network of over 22 international cultural institutions.
Eligibility
- The MERITA Call for Applications is exclusively addressed to ensembles whose members play together permanently.
- The Call is open to ensembles based in countries eligible for the Creative Europe
programme - The ensemble undertakes to commit to the MERITA project for the entire duration of the project (4 years, until to the end of the project on August 31st, 2029).
- All members of the quartet must be under 36 years of age at the time of application. If even one member has already turned 36 at that time, the quartet will not be eligible for selection.
- The ensemble must have been active for at least one year.
- Participant ensembles should plan to keep the same members over years.
- Musicians of the ensemble have already demonstrated to have all the artistic and technical qualities, as well as the vision, that are necessary to develop an international career: this has been recognized by chamber music operators as well as by audiences, and can be proved through the ensemble’s CVs (including the concert societies for which the ensemble has performed, the prizes received at national and international competitions, the educational path), audio-video recordings and letters of recommendation from senior chamber musicians.
- String quartets that participated in the previous edition of MERITA will be selected through a dedicated call and are not eligible to apply for this one.
Eligible countries: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine
Submission Requirements
- Professional CV of the ensemble
- A short presentation video of the ensemble
- Links to recent performance videos (no older than 2 years).
- Ensemble photographs
- ID documents for all members
- Monitoring and Evaluation Google form
- (Optional) Letters of endorsement from institutions, Maestros, or cultural leaders.
- (Optional) Any additional material relevant to your application.
How to Apply
Submit your complete application via email to info@meritaplatform.eu
Subject line: APPLICATION FOR MERITAcubed – [NAME OF THE ENSEMBLE]
Program Benefits & Awards
Selected ensembles will:
- Receive training and mentoring by international experts.
- Develop and perform a special project on one of 6 inspiring topics.
- Take part in a 5-day artistic residency in a European historic house with a test concert to refine the project.
- Use innovative tools on the MERITA digital platform.
- Gain access to a professional network of international cultural institutions
- Be promoted and presented on the MERITA Platform to international concert organizers.
- Perform internationally with at least 3 paid concerts in Europe.
- Have the opportunity to be selected for one of the 4 extra-EU concerts in the USA, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia.
Entry Fee
None
Location
Europe
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 13 December 2025
Website Link: https://www.meritaplatform.eu/news/news/be-one-of-the-44-ensembles-of-meritacubed/
