The Country Music Association has announced the launch of the inaugural CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship, a year-long program designed to provide emerging artists with unique professional and educational opportunities in the country music industry.

The CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship is named after country music legend Kix Brooks, the former chairman of the CMA Board and long-serving board member. Kix also happens to be one half of the greatest country music duo of all time—Brooks & Dunn—and he is the host of American Country Countdown on Westwood One radio stations.

“The KixStart Artist Scholarship program was developed by 2017 CMA Board artist relations committee chair, Marion Kraft and vice chair, Mary Hilliard Harrington, both visionary artist managers, as a means to provide one-of-a-kind mentorship to artists within our country community,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA CEO. “We’re thrilled to open our arms to our artist community and offer these invaluable tools as these artists continue to invest in their growing careers.”

“Last year when Mary Hilliard and Marion suggested we do something to better aid those artists that could use a little extra help, or a ‘kick start’ to help them over that tipping point, we all knew it was a good idea,” said Kix. “I suppose calling it KixStart was a little tip of the hat to me for getting this committee going in the beginning. I’m honored, but I’m not taking any credit for this one.”

CMA and its staff will help connect each selected artist with professionals within the industry, as well as providing educational support and opportunities to participate in CMA-related events during CMA Fest, CMA Songwriters Series and C2C: Country to Country festival in the U.K. A scholarship fund has been established by CMA to cover expenses related to the program.

CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship submissions will be accepted starting on June 1. The deadline for submissions is June 30 at 11:59 p.m. CT.