Charlton Oral History Research Grant

The Baylor University Institute for Oral History invites individual scholars with training and experience in oral history research who are conducting oral history interviews to apply for support of up to $3,000 for one year (June through May). With this grant, the Institute seeks to partner with one scholar who is using oral history to address new questions and offer fresh perspectives on a subject area in which the research method has not yet been extensively applied. Interdisciplinary, cross-cultural research on local, national, or international subjects is welcome.

We are no longer accepting applications for our 2023-2024 fellowships. Check back in the Fall for more information regarding the 2024-2025 fellowship application deadlines.

The 2021-2022 recipient of the Charlton Oral History Grant is Yesmar Oyarzun of Rice University. You can read her proposal, "Making Dark Skin Visible: The Oral History of 'Ethnic Skin' and 'Skin of Color' Dermatology" by clicking here.

The goal of the Charlton Oral History Research Grant is to bring the strengths of oral history to new topics of investigation, create partnerships with scholars doing noteworthy fieldwork with oral history, build a substantial research collection at Baylor University through the work of a skilled oral historian, and provide long-term scholarly access to significant applications of oral history methodology that model best practices.

The application process is simple: 

1. Plan your project and create a descriptive narrative, a project description of 4-6 pages indicating the purpose of the research, your previous research of the topic, a description of any prior interviews conducted on the topic, the names of the persons to be interviewed, planned arrangements for conducting the interviews, and proposed scholarly outcomes for the interview materials. 
2. Complete the Charlton Grant Cover Sheet available here. 
3. Request 2 letters of reference on your behalf to Stephen Sloan by the deadline.  
4. Submit your completed cover sheet and your project proposal to BUIOH@baylor.edu by the application deadline.

Criteria

All grantees will agree to follow the principles of the Oral History Association; adhere to the established procedures of the Institute for Oral History; and obtain signed consent and transfer of copyright from interviewees, using the Institute's Deed of Gift form. In addition, grantees will agree to deposit recordings and transcripts created under the award in the Baylor University Libraries and submit a brief report about the work accomplished under the grant no later than one year from the date the grant goes into effect. Grantees will also agree to propose a paper based on the funded research for presentation at the first or second Oral History Association meeting following the grant award period. If the grantee's submission is accepted by OHA within the first or second year following the grant period, the Institute will pay the grantee's basic registration fee to attend the meeting.

Funding

Grantees may use the funds for expenses related to oral history interviews, including the interviewer's time, travel, lodging expenses, and incidental research expenses. Funds may be used to purchase digital audio recording equipment, but not video recording equipment. All equipment and recording media must conform to the current standards of the Institute. If necessary, the Institute will furnish audio recording equipment and media to ensure quality. Applicants need not include transcription costs in their expense plans. In addition to funding the interviews, the Institute will fund all expenses for processing, transcribing, and preserving the recordings, which will be accomplished in-house by Institute staff. Grantees will receive up to $3,000 in funding, payable in three installments over the grant year.

Eligibility

Non-US citizens are eligible but should contact the Institute regarding visas and other required paperwork before applying. Interviews in languages other than English are not eligible for the grant.

Evaluation

Applications will be evaluated on the significance of the research for providing a fresh approach to the subject and its potential for advancing knowledge; the originality, clarity, and precision of the project proposal; the applicant's past record of producing high-quality oral history research; the potential for successful completion of the project within the contract period; the anticipated use of the interviews in a publication, presentation, or other public outcome.

Questions?

Charlton Grant FAQ

To ask questions about the grant or application process, contact the Institute for Oral History via e-mail at BUIOH@baylor.edu.

Past Charlton Grant Recipients

Visit this page to learn more about past recipients of the Charlton grant, including their proposal letters and follow-up reports.

The Charlton Oral History Research Grant honors Dr. Thomas L. Charlton, founder of the Institute for Oral History, whose vision for innovative oral history research still inspires our mission. Tom Charlton has devoted his career to opening doors for both beginning and advanced oral historians, always encouraging us to stretch further, dig deeper, and think bigger.

The Institute for Oral History is an interdisciplinary research entity of Baylor University administered through the provost's office. Since 1970, the Institute has gathered and preserved oral history, while providing leadership and service for the profession. Search the Institute's oral history collection and learn more the Institute's service at baylor.edu/oralhistory.

As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, Baylor encourages minorities, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities to apply.