BRADEN GRANT FOR THE STUDY OF ORAL NARRATIVE
Applications due December 3, March 2, and May 1, 2012-13
Grants up to $3,000
The Stanford Storytelling Project is pleased to announce the establishment of a new research grant program to support undergraduates interested in the study of oral narrative. Grants of up to $3,000 will be awarded in the winter and spring quarters for research to be conducted in the 2012-13 academic year or summer of 2013.
This grant program supports two kinds of research:
Analysis of the practice or craft of oral narrative. This research would focus on a specific tradition, culture, or medium of storytelling, from ancient traditions and indigenous cultures to contemporary radio and performance. Students might study the oral tradition of a particular geographic region, language, or ethnic group. Students might also study a specific oral tradition or genre, such as German folklore or Zen Buddhist teaching tales. Or students might study modern forms of oral narrative from live monologues to radio documentaries, like those produced live by The Moth or broadcast by programs such as This American Life or Radio Diaries.
An oral history of a specific community. This research would focus on a specific community that has formed around a discrete historical circumstance, interest or identity (e.g., 9/11 Commission, gay rights, gaming, historical preservation). Students would research and collect stories of a small, physical community, such as a village or neighborhood or organization. Students are encouraged to choose groups or communities that have not already been well documented. Communities should be stable, have a significant history, and be small enough to make for a manageable project. Students may belong to the group or community that they study.
The following conditions must be met for any proposed project to be considered:
Grantees must be enrolled undergraduate students at all times during the undertaking of their project, to its conclusion. Typically this means that the applicant is in their junior year or earlier, but seniors may apply if they submit a credible plan to complete their project before graduation.
The project must deliver its findings in the form of an audio documentary or audio narrative of professional quality. Students will receive assistance in crafting this from Storytelling Project faculty and staff once research and collection is complete. Examples of student–made, research–driven audio documentaries may be found here:
"Daniel and the Quakers" (Story 3 of "Listening")
"The Garden on the Rooftop" (Story 2 of "Medium Food")
"Healing Sounds" (Story 2 of "Epiphony")Alternatively, the final product may be an oral storytelling performance. Students who elect this option are encouraged to discuss this with the grants manager before applying.
Note that we do not award grants for creating films or written essays or stories.
The final product (an audio documentary or narrative, or an oral storytelling performance) must be completed during the quarter following the conclusion of research. So, for example, if the grantee conducts their research during the summer, the final product must be delivered during the fall quarter of the following academic year.
Grantees are strongly encouraged to enlist a faculty mentor who will provide a brief supporting letter along with assistance as needed throughout the project. Faculty support increases the chances of an award.
As part of the award, students will receive recording equipment as well as training in interviewing and audio recording, as necessary. Do not include the cost of audio equipment in your budget.
To apply, students must submit a research proposal of no more than 1,500 words in length. Instructions for formatting the Braden Grant proposal may be found here:
Application deadlines in 2012-13 are December 3, March 2, and May 1. When complete, submit to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
To submit or for any questions about the award, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
STORIES FROM POWER AWARD
Beginning in the fall of 2011 The Stanford Storytelling Project will make a new award to students completing courses in the Program in Writing and Rhetoric. The Stories from Power Award will be made to up to 8 students per quarter and offer these students the opportunity to turn the research pieces they have developed in their courses into audio essays that will be broadcast on KZSU and podcast on iTunes as part of the project’s regular programs. The award gives students in their first two years at Stanford the chance to publish their research and showcase it in a non-print medium for a wide audience.
Students nominated will work with staff from the Storytelling Project (Lecturers, Stegner Fellows, Oral Communication Tutors, and experienced student producers) at the start of the following quarter. In 3-4 short meetings, the staff will help students narrativize the research they have done, coach them in telling the story aloud, and then record, edit, and mix the final audio (and/or video, if appropriate). The converted pieces will then be featured in the project’s KZSU radio show, iTunes podcast, and website.
Students must be nominated for this award by lecturers in the Program in Writing and Rhetoric but should feel free to ask about the opportunity and ask to be considered. For any questions about the award, please contact storytellinggrants@stanford.edu.
The Storytelling Project is supported by the Stanford Institute for Creativity and the Arts, the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, Stanford Introductory Studies, Stanford Continuing Studies, and the Program in Writing and Rhetoric.