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HAF Invites Applications for Hinduism in America Grants

November 16, 2011 - HAF announces its Hinduism in America Grants and invites applications from academics in any of the Humanities fields, who are studying or conducting research related to Hinduism. Eligible applicants include graduate students, post-doctoral students, and faculty members. The program aims to fund rigorous scholarly research on Hindu Americans, Hinduism as it is practiced in America, and the intersection of Hindu Americans and public policy. Where feasible, comparisons to the practice of Hinduism in other parts of the diaspora or India are encouraged, but the primary focus should be on an unstudied aspect of the Hindu American community or Hinduism in America.
 
HAF will award two grants of $2,500 each for one year, renewable once.
 
Eligible Grant Topics
The following are examples of eligible areas of research (the list is not exclusive and other ideas will be considered):
  • Association between generation and religious commitment or practice in the American Hindu diaspora
  • Dharmic theory and practice in the American Hindu diaspora
  • American Hindus of non-Indian extraction: Who are they?
  • Charitable giving among Hindus in the US: How much and to which causes?
  • A comparative study of the presentation of Hinduism and other religious traditions in American school textbooks
  • Yoga, Hinduism, and the media
  • Hinduism, the role of the guru, and the media
  • Representation of Hinduism and Hindu Americans in the media
  • Visibility of Hindu Americans in elected office or public policy roles
  • Demographic studies of the Hindu American community
  • Study of the status of recent Hindu refugee communities in America
  • Analysis of Hindu American advocacy compared to other faith communities in America
Budget Guidelines
This is a one year grant for $2,500, with the possibility of renewal if work remains outstanding and the grant officers believe that extra time and money will contribute significantly to the final product and to the literature. Funding may be used for research personnel, supplies, travel to a conference to present findings, and other justifiable expenses. Funding may not be used for direct salary support.
 
Review and Notification Process
Grants will be reviewed along three primary domains:
  • Significance and originality of the research goals. This grant is not meant to fund a study of a single temple or its population, nor is it intended to focus on a single Hindu belief, such as reincarnation or karma (although delineating the pattern and nuance of these beliefs in the context of a broader study would be permissible).
  • Appropriateness of approach and methodology. This grant is meant to fund scholarly research that falls towards the social science spectrum. HAF is not seeking a new interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita by the grantee; however, Bhagavad Gita study organized by a specific group of Hindus in Houston, and how this compares to its interpretation and use by other Hindus in America and perhaps with some allusion to use in India, would be something different.
  • Relevance to the vision of the Hindu American Foundation. At HAF, we value scholarly independence. We will not award grants to those simply seeking to give an apologetic view of Hinduism. The grant should have relevance to HAF both in terms of demography (we are the Hindu AMERICAN Foundation) and provide an appropriately balanced approach to Hinduism. We will be less likely to award grants to research that explores one more esoteric set of practices in Hinduism unless the research places that set in a broader context.
All reviews will occur over a two month period. All applicants will be informed by email of the final decision.
 
Application Process
To apply for the Hinduism in America Grant, please submit the following:
  1. Abstract (400 words maximum)
  2. Project Narrative:
    1. Background
    2. Intended Investigation
    3. Specific Aims
    4. Plan of Study
    5. Personnel
  3. Bibliography
  4. Timeline
  5. Budget Justification
 
Deadline
Please email a copy of your application as a single pdf to grants@hafsite.org no later than 5 PM PST on January 30, 2012. Please direct any inquiries to the same address.
 
Click here to download the application.