Introduction
Applications are now open for the fifth cohort of the SAADA Archival Creators Fellowship Program, with the theme for this year being “Intersections.”
Program Overview
SAADA leads the way in promoting a community-driven approach to archival collecting. Our belief is that archival work should not be done just for the community, but by and with the community. The Archival Creators Fellowship Program pairs fellows with SAADA to build archival collections that represent the histories and perspectives of marginalized groups within the South Asian American community. These include but are not limited to working-class communities, undocumented individuals, LGBTQ+ members, Dalit, Muslim, Indo-Caribbean, or those otherwise excluded or overlooked in mainstream South Asian American narratives.
Fellowship Details
Three fellows will be chosen for the 2024 cohort. This year’s program is made possible with support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Each fellow will receive a $5,000 stipend, a $1,500 project budget, and a $1,000 advisory group budget, along with travel expenses for the in-person meeting in Philadelphia.
Eligibility
This fellowship is open to U.S.-based individuals with valid work authorization who are either members of the community they plan to archive or have deep existing connections within that community. No formal archival training is required, but applicants should demonstrate a strong interest and commitment to community memory and storytelling.
Application Timeline
- August 10, 2023: Fellowship applications open
- October 1, 2023: Fellowship application deadline
- Early November 2023: Phone interviews with fellowship finalists
- Mid-January 2024: Public announcement of selected fellows
Fellowship Timeline
- February 1, 2024, through July 31, 2024: Six-month fellowship period, including bi-weekly video calls with the fellowship cohort and SAADA staff.
- Mandatory in-person meeting in Philadelphia on February 3-4, 2024.
Fellowship Commitment
During the fellowship period, fellows will be responsible for:
- Devoting approximately 8-10 hours per week to their project.
- Participating in the in-person meeting in Philadelphia.
- Joining bi-weekly video calls with the fellowship cohort and SAADA staff.
- Establishing a community-based advisory group to support their project.
- Conducting 10 oral history interviews and collecting related archival materials.
- Developing an online exhibit for the SAADA website, including collaborating with an artist to create original artwork for the exhibit.
Fellowship Support
Fellows will receive:
- A $5,000 stipend paid in three installments during the fellowship period.
- A $1,500 budget to cover equipment costs, artist collaborations, and other project expenses.
- A $1,000 budget to provide honoraria for community-based advisory group members.
- Training in oral history methodology and digital archival practices from SAADA staff and advisors.
- Ongoing support and guidance from SAADA staff and advisors throughout the project.
Application
If you are eligible and can meet the fellowship requirements, please complete the application form by Sunday, October 1, 2023, by 11:59 pm (in your local time zone). For any questions or inquiries, please contact fellowships@saada.org.
Note: The application form does not save information in progress, so we recommend entering your information into the Word version and then copying it to the live application form when complete.
