The New Austrian Sound of Music – in short NASOM – is a long-term sponsorship program by the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), promoting young emerging Austrian and Austria-based bands and musicians performing abroad. The aim of NASOM is to offer biennial support for international performances of promising young talents with the help of a global network of embassies, cultural forums, and consulates. A further objective of NASOM is to draw more attention to the fact that Austrian music creation – beyond the traditional – is as vibrant, modern, and culturally diverse as ever. Every two years, the young artists accepted for this program are selected in cooperation with the organization mica – music austria and local music universities. Participants of this sponsorship program are chosen from the genres classical, jazz, world, contemporary and pop music. NASOM welcomes five bands on stage in a 20 minute slot.

In 2023 the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA) is celebrating the 50th anniversary of „Austria Kultur International“.