Utah Oral History Grant Program

The Oral History Grants program is jointly administered by Utah Humanities and the Utah Historical Society, two organizations dedicated to preserving and promoting the cultural and historical narratives of Utah. Utah Humanities operates as a nonprofit organization focused on public humanities programming, while the Utah Historical Society serves as a state entity committed to documenting and sharing Utah’s history. Together, these organizations support projects that collect, preserve, and share oral histories, ensuring that diverse voices and lived experiences are recorded for future generations. The primary purpose of the Oral History Grants program is to fund projects that involve the research, collection, and dissemination of oral histories. These grants are designed to support activities such as conducting interviews, transcribing recorded materials, and developing public-facing programming that shares the collected histories. The program emphasizes the importance of scholarly rigor by requiring that each project involve an oral history scholar, ensuring methodological soundness and adherence to professional standards in the field. Funding for the program is provided in amounts of up to 3000 dollars per project. These funds may be used for a range of eligible expenses, including research activities, interview costs, and transcription services. While the funding ceiling is clearly defined, the program does not specify a minimum award amount or total program funding pool. Projects must be completed within a 12 month performance period, although extensions may be requested in writing if additional time is needed to fulfill project objectives. Eligibility requirements are broadly defined but include several mandatory conditions. Each project must involve an oral history scholar, and applicants who do not already have such expertise on their team may seek recommendations from the Utah Historical Society. Additionally, funded projects must include at least one public program, ensuring that the results of the oral history work are shared with a wider audience. The program does not explicitly list eligible applicant categories, but the structure suggests applicability to organizations or individuals capable of carrying out scholarly and public humanities work. The application process is structured around a two stage submission system consisting of a draft application followed by a final application. Applicants must first submit a draft by one of the quarterly deadlines. After submission, Utah Humanities and Utah Historical Society staff provide technical assistance within approximately three weeks. Applicants are then given an additional week to revise and submit their final application for committee review. This iterative process is designed to strengthen applications and improve project outcomes. The program operates on a recurring quarterly cycle with four distinct rounds each year: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Each round has both draft and final deadlines, typically spaced one month apart. Following submission of the final application, the Oral History committee reviews proposals and communicates award decisions within approximately two weeks. While deadlines are published in advance, they are noted as subject to change, and applicants are encouraged to verify timing prior to submission. For additional information or assistance, applicants may contact program representatives at either Utah Humanities or the Utah Historical Society. Key contacts include Emily Grubby, Program and Outreach Coordinator at Utah Humanities, and Monique Davila, Community Engagement Coordinator at the Utah Historical Society. These contacts can provide guidance on both the application process and the development of oral history projects, supporting applicants throughout the lifecycle of their proposals.

Applicants are encouraged to seek technical assistance from UH and UHS staff during the application process.