Created in memory of Mike Seeger, a founding member of the New Lost City Ramblers and recipient of a 2004 Folk Alliance Lifetime Achievement Award. Mike was a teacher and traditional music enthusiast who worked tirelessly to keep people connected with the roots of folk music throughout America.

The Mike Seeger Scholarship covers the cost of transportation and provides an honorarium to bring a traditional musician or other tradition bearer to attend the FAI Conference each year to participate in panels and performances. The fund is matched by FAI through the provision of a conference registration.

Past recipents include: fiddle player/maker Violet Hensley (2009), and fiddler Paul David Smith (2010).