Each FAJE project consists of a Lead Partner from one country working with a Collaborating Partner from the other country. Lead and Collaborating Partners may be either individual artists or ensembles. Ensembles may represent an established group or musicians brought together specifically for the proposed project. Projects can include artists working together for the first time or those having a prior working relationship. Lead and Collaborating Partners are limited to participation in one application. Ensemble members of Lead or Collaborating Partners may individually participate in more than one application.

If the Lead Partner is American they must:
- Be an individual jazz artist or jazz ensemble (not to exceed five musicians) that works at a professional level;
- Be United States citizens or permanent residents for the past five years and currently reside in the United States or its territories; and
- Be in good standing with MAAF at the time of application, with no overdue or outstanding required reports and/or grant documents.

If the Lead Partner is French they must:
- Be an individual jazz artist or jazz ensemble (not to exceed five musicians) that works at a professional level; and
- Be French citizens or legal residents for the past five years and currently reside in France or its territories.

If the Collaborating Partner is American they must:
- Be an individual music artist or ensemble (not to exceed five musicians) that works at a professional level;
- Be United States citizens or permanent residents for the past five years and currently reside in the United States or its territories; and
- Be in good standing with MAAF at the time of application, with no overdue or outstanding required reports and/or grant documents.

If the Collaborating Partner is French they must:
- Be an individual music artist or ensemble (not to exceed five musicians) that works at a professional level; and
- Be French citizens or legal residents for the past five years and currently reside in France or its territories.

American and French Collaborating Partners may:
- Be individual artists or ensembles working in a musical form other than jazz

Note: French artists residing in the United States holding dual French and American citizenship or holding permanent resident status in the United States are eligible to participate in FAJE as American Lead Partners or as Collaborating Partners working with a French Lead Partner. Conversely, Americans residing in France holding dual French and American citizenship or holding legal resident status in the France are eligible to participate in FAJE as French Lead Partners or as Collaborating Partners working with an American Lead Partner. In such cases, the artists must explain in their proposals the compelling reason(s) for considering projects that include Lead and Collaborating Partners from the same country of origin, regardless of their current citizenship or residence status.

FAJE projects are intended to provide artists with the time and support to explore innovative musical concepts, and investigate new and existing work by the Lead and/or Collaborating Partners that may result in the creation of new work or influence their, and possibly others’, artistic practice. Project activities may include arranging and composing, creative residencies, performances, recording, rehearsing, and other activities that develop new creative and professional relationships, and/or audiences. Projects must be jointly developed by the Lead and Collaborating Partners to meet mutually agreed upon goals and objectives.

To be eligible projects must take place in France or the United States and their respective territories or in both countries between September 1, 2011 and December 31, 2012

FAJE will not fund:
- Projects that are comprised solely of touring engagements.
- Projects that are primarily focused on the reinterpretation or new arrangements of existing works by composers other than the Lead and Collaborating Partners.

FAJE will annually award one-hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in grants, with no grant exceeding $25,000. Funding may be used towards the following:
- Artist stipends
- Communications
- Equipment and space rentals
- Fiscal sponsor fees (if applicable)
- Marketing
- Project-related agent/management fees
- Recording and production fees
- Shipping
- Travel-related expenses
(international airfare, domestic travel, accommodations, and per diem)
- Visa fees

Note: FAJE will only support airfare based on economy class rates, purchased no less than 14 days prior to departure date.

The Lead Partner on a proposed project is responsible for submitting the application to FAJE and will be the recipient of grant funds if selected for support. There are financial implications to be considered by Lead Partners awarded grants through the program that are not legally incorporated as nonprofit organizations in their respective countries.

For American Lead Partners:
American Lead Partners who are individual artists or ensembles that are not incorporated as a nonprofit organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code may want to consider using an United States-based fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status to apply on their behalf. American Lead Partners without nonprofit status that are awarded funds through FAJE and do not utilize a fiscal sponsor will be responsible for all applicable United States taxes related to the grant. FAJE grant funds cannot be used towards payment of grant-related taxes. If the Lead Partner uses a fiscal sponsor, the fiscal sponsor would be the recipient of grant funds.

- Fiscal sponsors that are willing to assume full responsibility for the grant may sponsor one or more organizations that do not yet have their own nonprofit Internal Revenue Service 501(c)(3) status but otherwise meet the criteria for eligibility.

- The fiscal sponsor will be legally, financially, administratively, and programmatically responsible for all aspects of the award. As the official grantee, the fiscal sponsor will be the organization that must submit all documentation, final reports, and any amendment request that would affect the terms and conditions of the award.

For French Lead Partners:
United States law requires that payments to non-United States citizens be subject to a 30% withholding tax, unless the payee obtains a United States Tax Identification Number. French Lead Presenters may want to consider applying to the program through a fiscal sponsor or a French nonprofit organization, such as Association Loi 1901. If a grant is awarded, payments will be made to the fiscal sponsor or nonprofit organization and not the French Lead Partner.

A panel composed of French and American jazz professionals will review applications submitted for consideration and make recommendations for support. Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria. These criteria are neither ranked nor given specific weights.
- Excellence of participating artists as demonstrated by the submitted work samples and the artists’ record of professional achievement.
- Quality of project design, including planned activities and schedule.
- Evidence of adequate and collaborative planning
- Capacity to successfully implement the project

Final determination of grants will be made by the Board of Directors of MAAF and FACE, and CSFE based on panel recommendations.

The Lead Partner is responsible for submitting the application for the proposed project. Applications for FAJE must be received by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation at the address listed below on or before the deadline listed in these guidelines. This is a RECEIPT deadline, not a postmark deadline.

FAJE
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation
201 North Charles Street, Suite 401
Baltimore, MD 21201

Applications sent via electronic transmission (i.e., fax or email) will not be accepted for consideration.