Varun Parikh Launches Bay Owl Studios Scholarship For Women With Abbey Road Institute Mumbai

Varun Parikh has announced the launch of the Bay Owl Studios Scholarship for Women, in collaboration with Abbey Road Institute Mumbai, aimed at supporting aspiring female producers, artists, and audio professionals through structured education, mentorship, and industry access.

Opening on May 12, 2026, the initiative is designed to address the persistent gender gap in music production, sound engineering, and technical creative roles. The scholarship combines financial aid with hands-on mentorship and real-world exposure, helping create stronger pathways for women entering the music and audio industry.

The scholarship is exclusively applicable to the August 2026 intake of the Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering, with the course commencing on 10 August 2026. Applications will close on 15 June 2026.

Women continue to remain underrepresented in production studios and technical roles globally. Through this initiative, Bay Owl Studios and Abbey Road Institute Mumbai aim to improve access, visibility, and long-term professional support for emerging women talent in the field.

“Music and creativity thrive when more voices are given the opportunity to participate and lead. This scholarship is about creating access, encouraging talent, and ensuring that more women feel empowered to build careers in music production and audio,” said Varun Parikh.

Scholarship Details

• Award: 50% scholarship towards course fee
• Recipients: One candidate annually
• Applicable Intake: August 2026
• Course Start Date: 10 August 2026
• Programme: Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering

What the Scholar Will Receive

• Mentorship from leading women producers and artists
• Feedback on academic assignments
• Portfolio development guidance
• Industry networking opportunities
• Exposure to professional studio environments

Mentors & Selection Panel

The initiative is supported by an all-women panel of industry practitioners, including: Varijashri Venugopal, Alokananda Dasgupta, Nayantara Bhatkal, Kamakshi Khurana, and Anushka Lewis.

The panel will play an active role in selection, mentorship, workshops, academic feedback, and internship guidance throughout the programme.

Driving Inclusion in Music Production

As India’s music and audio ecosystem continues to expand across film, streaming, independent music, and live entertainment, the need for greater representation in technical and production roles has become increasingly important. The Bay Owl Studios Scholarship for Women marks a step toward building a more inclusive and future-ready creative industry.