Indigenous Initiative Research Fund

Indigenous Initiative Research Fund is sponsored by Oral History Association (OHA). The OHA Indigenous Initiative Research Fund provides an annual monetary award to an oral historian actively engaged in a collaborative, community-based oral history research project with Indigenous peoples.

Indigenous Initiative Research Fund - Oral History Association Applications are currently closed for the 2026 award cycle. The next deadline will be June 1, 2027 at 11:59 CDT. The OHA Indigenous Initiative Research Fund provides a $1,250 annual monetary award given to an oral historian actively engaged in a collaborative, community-based oral history research project with Indigenous peoples.

The goal of the research fund is to support the oral historian’s project by offsetting costs or otherwise helping to move the project toward completion. The research fund is supported through the Oral History Association’s “Indigenous Initiative,” an ongoing fundraising effort for an endowment to assist with meaningful and ethical oral historical projects within Indigenous communities.

This ongoing project of the OHA reflects our commitment to move beyond words and into action by utilizing our resources and standing to support oral history work by, of, and for Indigenous peoples. Interested in supporting the Indigenous Research Initiative Fund? Click below to donate today!

The review committee will make their decision based on the pool of submitted applications, each of which must include the following parts: NARRATIVE statement of no more than 1300 words addressing the following: a description of the project and its relation to Indigenous oral history; the status of the project in terms of current support (grants, institutional support, in-kind donations); work completed; and a detailed description of the specific work to be done during the research fund period; a timeline of completion of the work, including approximate dates for each phase, step, or research activity.

a brief biography of the applicant, training and preparation, previous oral history and related work, and ability to complete the project as described above; and In 300 words or less, provide a description of yourself and your relationship with, and commitment to, the Indigenous community or communities you are working with. RESUME or CURRICULUM VITAE for the applicant.

BUDGET for the research project, providing a reasonable estimation of costs (such as travel, transcription, equipment, per diem, protocol gifts, and time) for the project. CONTACT INFORMATION FOR TWO REFERENCES who can speak to the applicant’s qualifications, as described above. Include each reference’s phone number and email.

The OHA’s Indigenous Initiative Research Fund Review Committee—which includes members of the association’s Indigenous Caucus and Council—will review applications and make a decision based on the quality of the project and application, as well as the applicant’s ability to fulfill their stated project goals during the prescribed period. Research Fund Requirements The prescribed period for the project is from August 1 to July 31.

Research fund recipients must submit a report to the OHA Executive Office at the conclusion of the period for which they receive funding, describing the work completed. Recipients are encouraged to attend the OHA annual meeting immediately after the project period to present their work as part of the conference proceedings. The OHA will work with the research fund recipient to support their conference attendance.

While membership in the Oral History Association is not required, it will be appreciated if you choose to affiliate with OHA, thus supporting its ongoing efforts to enhance the use of oral history historical methods in academic research. Committee Chair: Francine Spang-Willis | 2024-2027 | francinespangwillis@gmail. com Sarah Milligan | 2024-2027 Benji de la Piedra | 2024-2027 Winona Wheeler | 2024-2027