What is the recognition program?
In April 2011, the WFMT Council decided to extend the WFMT recognition program beyond the WFMT Lifetime Membership Award, now known as the Lifetime Achievement Award, to honor major contributions in education, practice, and research of music therapists and supporters around the world.
During the 2023–2026 term, new award categories were introduced to celebrate members of our global community including students, young professionals, authors, collaborators and those providing outstanding service in times of crisis for their work and dedication to the field of music therapy.
The awards include:
the Research/Special Projects Award, honoring a music therapist who has made a significant contribution to the development of the profession through a specific research study or scholarly project.
the Advocate of Music Therapy Award, honoring a person who has made major contributions to the promotion of music therapy in an area of the world where the profession is less established.
the Service Award, honoring a music therapist who provides significant service to the profession of music therapy through work related to the WFMT. The work supports the growth of WFMT.
the Clinical Impact Award, honoring a music therapist who has had a long-term impact on advancing the knowledge and practice of music therapy within a specific clinical area or population through the publication or presentation of his or her work.
the Crisis Response Award, honouring a music therapist who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication by providing critical support and advancing the profession in challenging or high-risk global situations, positively impacting colleagues and communities during times of crisis.
the Outstanding Publication Award, recognizing a significant publication, such as a book, article or research paper, that has substantially contributed to the advancement and growth of the music therapy field, influencing practice, education, and/or research on an international level.
the Outstanding Student of Music Therapy Award, recognizing an outstanding student of music therapy who exemplifies the ideal qualities of a future music therapist both academically and personally. The recipient demonstrates exceptional musical and relational skills, a strong commitment to ethical and humanistic values, and an active engagement in promoting the profession within their community.
the Young Professional Award, recognizing early-career music therapy professionals (0-5 years) who have demonstrated exceptional promise and commitment in the field.
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the Collaborative Award, recognizing music therapists from different countries or cultures who have collaborated on projects, research or community crisis work.
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Who is eligible for an award?
Research/Special Projects Award
Open to all music therapists.
The person needs to have completed an outstanding research project or a scholarly project that involves (a) outcome documentation, (b) clinical applications, and (c) the reporting of outcomes within a publication or via two or more oral presentations.
Advocate of Music Therapy Award
Open to all individuals, music therapists and non-music therapists, who meet the criteria. Possible contributions include repeated public presentations or workshops within the country, the development of a music therapy training program within a country, the establishment of music therapy clinical positions within a country, or the implementation of a short-term project that addressed specific needs. The nominee does not need to be a citizen of the country.
Service Award
Open to all music therapists. The nominee does not need to hold an office within WFMT, though the service to be recognized must be related to the work of the WFMT. Service can involve long-term commitments or task-specific projects.
Clinical Impact Award
Open to all music therapists who have had a long-term impact in the area of clinical work as a result of work with clients, the development of protocol or methodology, educational programs, or research. The nominee needs to demonstrate a long-term record of work and disseminated information within publications or oral presentations.
Crisis Response Award
Nominations for this award are open to qualified music therapists who: (a) have demonstrated leadership qualities in organizing, guiding, or inspiring music therapy efforts during crisis situations, (b) have provided timely, effective, culturally appropriate, and ethically sound music therapy services that address immediate needs in crisis or high-risk environments, (c) have made  a measurable positive impact on colleagues, clients, or affected communities during crises, (d) have contributed to the development, recognition, or innovation of music therapy practice during crises, (e) have exhibited exceptional commitment and resilience in challenging conditions, (f) have collaborated with interdisciplinary teams while promoting awareness of music therapy’s benefits in crisis settings.
Outstanding Publication Award
Nominations for this award are open to publications that have made a significant impact on the field of music therapy. Eligible work should demonstrate: (a) concrete influence on music therapy clinical practice, education or research globally, (b) rigor and high quality, (c) contribution to the growth and advancement of the profession in knowledge, theory, methodology or practice at an international level, (d) relevance by addressing important questions or challenges faced by music therapists and related professionals, (e) evidence of recognition, such as citations, use in curricula, professional endorsements, awards or widespread adoption in the field, (f) originality and innovation. The author(s) of the publication do not need to be a music therapist. If the publication is written by more than 1 author, all the authors are entitled to the award. If it is an edited book, the editor(s) will be awarded.
Outstanding Student of Music Therapy Award
Eligible candidates must be current students at the time of nomination and enrolled in a recognized music therapy program. Â This award honors a student whose dedication, empathy, and advocacy reflect the spirit and values of the World Federation of Music Therapy. Nominations for this award may only be submitted by directors, or if no director is appointed, by instructors representing a music therapy education program recognized by relevant professional organizations or educational authorities within the country. Each institution may submit only one nominee.
Young Professional Award
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Nominations for this award are open to qualified music therapists who are in the first stage of their professional career, defined as 0–5 years of full professional practice after graduation or certification. Eligible candidates must demonstrate: (a) active professional engagement in music therapy, (b) evidence of significant contributions or achievements within this early career period, and (c) a clear commitment to advancing the field through clinical work, research, education or community initiatives. Individuals with more than five years of post-qualification experience are not eligible.
Collaborative Award
Nominations for this award are open to qualified music therapists who have played a leading role in an interdisciplinary partnership. Eligible candidates are those who, through collaboration with professionals from other fields (e.g., health sciences, education, social services, community development, or the arts), have developed projects or initiatives where music therapy is central and where shared work has led to innovative, evidence-based, or socially meaningful outcomes.
How do I nominate someone for an award?
All WFMT members, both individual and members by default through organizational membership, can nominate a candidate. The WFMT Council will review all nominations submitted online by October 5th, 2025 at 11:59 PM Toronto time. Late or incomplete nominations will not be considered!
When are the awards presented?
Each award will be presented once every three years at the Opening Session of the WFMT World Congress of Music Therapy. Award recipients will be contacted in October 2025 so that they can make plans to attend the 18th World Congress of Music Therapy in Bologna, Italy to receive the award in person. Award recipients are responsible for their own travel and congress expenses.
