Overview The Charlton Oral History Research Grant, offered by Baylor University’s Institute for Oral History (IOH), supports a single scholar each year who demonstrates strong expertise in oral history and a commitment to advancing new research frontiers. Designed to expand the scope of oral history into underexplored areas, the grant provides up to $3,000 for projects conducted from June through May. Through this initiative, the Institute cultivates partnerships that strengthen oral history practice and build lasting research collections for future scholarship. The grant honours Dr. Thomas L. Charlton, founder of the Institute for Oral History, whose pioneering vision continues to shape contemporary methodological innovation. By encouraging investigative depth, interdisciplinary inquiry, and creative application of oral history methods, the grant exemplifies Baylor University’s dedication to elevating research excellence. Purpose and Research Focus The Charlton Grant seeks to support scholars who apply oral history to themes or communities where the method has not yet been widely utilised. The Institute prioritises projects that: Introduce new perspectives on historically understudied topics. Demonstrate interdisciplinary value across local, national, or international contexts. Expand cultural understanding through cross-cultural research. Create new pathways for scholarship, teaching, and public engagement. Preference is given to proposals that illustrate clear potential for scholarly contribution and long-term archival value. Current Grant Theme and Recent Recipient For the 2024–2025 cycle, the grant was awarded to Le’Evelyn Hammet for her innovative research project, “Blerd Culture: African American Nerd Culture.” Her project investigates the narratives of African Americans who participate in various fandoms—known as “Blerds”—and explores how identity, representation, creativity, and community intersect within these cultural spaces. Hammet’s oral history initiative documents experiences related to: Cosplay Gaming Crafting Education Representation Inclusivity in fan communities The project will produce a digital archive, scholarly publications, conference presentations, and educational resources that highlight the cultural significance of Black engagement within fandom culture. Grant Objectives Through this program, the Institute for Oral History aims to: Advance innovative applications of oral history methods. Support exemplary fieldwork conducted by trained scholars. Build a high-quality archival collection at Baylor University. Enable long-term access to interview materials for students, researchers, and the public. Model best practices for ethical, rigorous oral history inquiry. Application Requirements Applicants must submit a comprehensive project proposal and accompanying documentation. Required materials include: A descriptive narrative outlining project purpose, research background, prior interviews, proposed interview subjects, interview arrangements, and anticipated scholarly outcomes. A 4–6-page project description explaining the research aims, methodology, and significance. A completed Charlton Grant Cover Sheet. Two letters of reference sent directly to the Institute. Submission of all materials to the Institute’s designated email before the stated deadline. Successful applications clearly address research importance, methodological clarity, precision of objectives, and realistic timelines. Selection Criteria Applications are evaluated based on: Originality and relevance of the research topic. Potential to advance knowledge within the field. Demonstrated record of producing high-quality oral history scholarship. Feasibility of completing the project within the grant period. Strength of proposed academic or public outcomes. Interviews conducted in languages other than English are not eligible for the program. Grant Responsibilities Recipients agree to uphold the professional and ethical standards maintained by the Oral History Association and Baylor University. Obligations include: Obtaining informed consent and copyright transfer through the Institute’s Deed of Gift. Depositing all recordings and transcripts with Baylor University Libraries. Submitting a brief project report at the end of the grant period. Presenting a conference paper at the Oral History Association meeting within two years. If accepted, the Institute covers the grantee’s basic conference registration fee. Funding and Allowable Expenses Grantees may use awarded funds for costs essential to conducting oral history interviews, including: Travel and lodging Interviewer compensation Incidental research expenses Purchase of approved digital audio equipment The Institute processes and transcribes interview materials in-house, relieving grantees of transcription expenses. Funding is distributed in three instalments over the grant year. Eligibility The grant is open to qualified scholars worldwide. Non-US citizens may apply but must consult the Institute regarding visa requirements. All interviews must be conducted in English. Contact and Further Information Applicants seeking clarification or guidance may contact the Institute for Oral History at:Email: BUIOH@baylor.edu VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the funding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.