The Grants. The Organ Historical Society is pleased to accept applications for its Alan Laufman Research Grants for 2008. Research grants of up to $1,500 in memory of Alan Laufman, a former President of the Society, are authorized by the National Council of the Society and administered by a standing committee of the Publications Governing Board. These grants are awarded for research projects related to the organ in the broadest sense – the instrument’s builders, construction, history, styles, repertoire, performance practices, and composers from all style periods and nationalities. Grants may be used to cover travel, housing, and other expenses.
Application Requirements. The Society encourages all interested persons to apply, regardless of age, educational background, and nationality. There is no application form. Applicants should submit (a) a cover letter, (b) a curriculum vitae, and (c) a proposal. At a minimum, the cover letter should contain the applicant’s name, address, phone number, and e-mail address. The curriculum vitae will summarize the applicant’s educational background, training, and experience relevant to the proposed project, and it should include a list of any publications. The proposal, not to exceed 1,000 words, will contain at least the following information: (i) a description of the research project, including a statement of objectives, a plan for conducting the research, a description of phases of the research already completed or in progress, and an estimate of the time required to complete the project; (ii) a list of anticipated expenses to be funded by the grant (up to $1,500); (iii) whether the applicant would accept a grant if less than the requested amount is awarded; (iv) a list of other organizations to which the applicant has applied or expects to apply for grants to fund the research project and amounts awarded or requested; and (v) publication plans (see the following paragraph).
It is expected that an applicant’s research will result in a manuscript suitable for publication. Each recipient of an Alan Laufman Research Grant will be requested to submit a brief report after the research funded by the grant is complete, whether or not the manuscript is finished. Once the manuscript is completed, the recipient is expected to submit it to the Society’s Director of Publications to be reviewed following standard procedures for possible publication in The Tracker or by the OHS Press. Submitting an application constitutes an applicant’s agreement to this condition.
Applications may be sent by mail or e-mail. They must be postmarked or e-mailed by June 13, 2008, and awards will be announced in early July, 2008. Alan Laufman Research Grants will not exceed a total of $1,500 in any year. Within that limit the grant committee determines the specific amount of each award and the number of recipients. The grant committee may elect to withhold awards if satisfactory applications are not received. In its deliberations, the committee considers the completeness of the application, the merits of the proposed project and the qualifications of the applicant to undertake it. A grantee may receive successive awards for a single research project of large scope, provided that sufficient progress is demonstrated. Likewise, a grantee may apply for successive grants to fund new research projects. Grant recipients are expected to expend their awards within eighteen months of receipt.
The Society. The Organ Historical Society is an international organization for friends of the organ. The purpose of the Society is to encourage, promote, and further an active interest in the organ and its builders, particularly those in North America; to collect, preserve, evaluate, and publish detailed historical and technical information about organs and organbuilders, particularly those in North America; and to use its good office and influence to have significant organs, particularly those in North America, preserved in their original condition or carefully restored. The Society maintains the American Organ Archives in Princeton, New Jersey, the world’s largest collection of books and periodicals on the organ. More information on the Society is available at www.organsociety.org.
Send applications or inquiries to:
Dr. Christopher S. Anderson
Associate Professor of Sacred Music
Perkins School of Theology
Southern Methodist University
PO Box 750133
Dallas, TX 75275-0133 USA
Tel. (+1) 214.768.3160
[email protected]
April 15, 2008
OHS
