Applicants must be recent graduates from a university or music conservatory and should be making the transition from student to professional singer.
Notable winners of this award include: Michael Maniaci (2002), Sarah Coburn (2004), and Lisette Oropesa (2007).
A Career Grant candidate must be 36 years old or younger and should have a fair amount of performing experience in professional companies.
Notable winners of this award include: June Anderson, Brian Asawa, Harolyn Blackwell, Stephanie Blythe, Christine Goerke, Susan Graham, Nathan Gunn, Jerry Hadley, John Keyes, Chris Merritt, Stephanie Novacek, and Chad Shelton.
The Richard Tucker Award, which includes a $50,000 cash prize, is selected by committee and not audition.