California Documentary Project
Research and Development Grants for Film, Radio and New Media
| Deadline: November 1, 2010 | |
| Noon: | Deadline for electronic submission of online application and uploaded proposal narrative and budget |
| 5 pm: | Deadline for work samples to be received at CCH’s San Francisco office No late applications will be accepted |
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The California Documentary Project (CDP) is a competitive grant program of the California Council for the Humanities (CCH). CDP Research and Development grants support film, radio and new media projects that document the California experience and explore issues of significance to Californians. Projects must approach subject matter from a humanities perspective; enhance our understanding of California and its cultures, peoples and histories; and be suitable for California and national audiences.
The Role of the Humanities
CDP supports film, radio and new media projects in which the humanities are used to provide context, depth and perspective. The humanities spring from a fundamental interest in understanding the values and practices that inform our lives; the need to reflect on the past and the present to make critical choices; and the desire to be moved, delighted, and make sense of the world in which we live. Humanities disciplines include, but are not limited to, history, literature, philosophy, folklore, ethnic studies, religious studies, ethics, jurisprudence, and qualitative approaches in the social sciences. They emphasize analysis, interpretation, and the exchange of ideas. The CDP Research and Development grant program is designed to strengthen the humanities content and approach of documentary media productions.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants must:
- Have tax-exempt organizational status or a tax-exempt organization as fiscal sponsor
- Be in good standing with CCH (e.g., without unfulfilled reporting requirements), if a previous grantee
- Not have an open grant with CCH, unless a CCH-approved sponsoring organization (see FAQ for more information)
Funding Level
Film radio and new media projects in research and development may request up to $7,000. The grant request must be matched by at least a 1:1 amount of cash or in-kind contributions from non-federal sources.
Project Requirements
Film, radio and new media projects must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be currently in the research and development stage
- Document the California experience and explore issues of significance to Californians
Approach the subject matter from a humanities perspective—for example, making use of existing or new scholarship and research on the topic, incorporating a variety of perspectives, seeking to foster critical reflection and thoughtful analysis on the part of the audience - Actively involve at least three humanities advisors throughout the research and development phase
- Be conducted by experienced film, radio or new media producers and directors. A previously completed work sample must be submitted.
Review Criteria
Applications will be evaluated using the following criteria:
Quality
- Clarity and strength of concept, style and approach
- California and national relevance
- Depth of humanities content and approach
- Experience of project staff and advisors
Capacity
- Feasibility of budget, timeline, fundraising strategy and potential to reach broad audiences
Eligible Costs
Include, but are not limited to:
- Salaries and professional fees for production staff and technical consultants (up to 25% of your total CCH funding request)
- Honoraria and stipends for humanities advisors and researchers
- Pre-production expenses
- Travel, lodging and per-diem expenses for staff, consultants, humanities advisors, and researchers
- Supplies and materials for pre-production activities
- Equipment to produce a pilot or trailer (rental, unless purchase cost is less)
- Administrative expenses directly related to the project, including phone, postage, photocopying and printing
- Fiscal sponsor or indirect administrative fees (up to 10% of your total CCH grant request)
We Do Not Fund
- Institutional histories produced and/or partially funded by the institution itself
- Advocacy
- Projects that are primarily promotional in nature
- Projects already in the production or post-production stages. (If you wish to apply for production support, please see the CDP Production Grant.)
| Timeline | |
| July 2010: | Guidelines posted at www.calhum.org |
| September 2010: | Informational grant workshops and webinars. Details will be posted on the CCH website once they become available. |
| October 1, 2010: | Online application available at www.calhum.org |
| November 1, 2010: | Noon: Online application deadline 5 pm: Deadline for work samples to be received at CCH SF office |
| February 2011: | Grant awards announced |
| March 1, 2011: | Grant period begins |
For additional information, please see the Research and Development FAQ.
GUIDELINES
Please include the following information in your proposal in this order using the numbered headings at the start of each section. All responses should be single spaced and in 12 pt. font.
Proposal Narrative
- Project Description (maximum length: three pages)
- What is the story your project will tell? What topics, issues and themes will your project address? How will these topics enhance our understanding of California and its cultures, peoples and histories? How will this story be relevant and of interest to both California and national audiences?
- What is the style of the film, radio or new media documentary and how will you develop it?
- What is the current status of the project? When is the anticipated completion date?
- What is the story your project will tell? What topics, issues and themes will your project address? How will these topics enhance our understanding of California and its cultures, peoples and histories? How will this story be relevant and of interest to both California and national audiences?
- Humanities Content and/or Approach (maximum length: one page)
- How will the humanities inform your project? For example, how will you use the humanities to frame the questions you want to raise or develop the broader social, cultural or historical context for your subject? What sources will you consult to provide insight and context? What strategies will be used to research and frame the topic?
- Explain the role the three (or more) humanities advisors will play and how they will be involved in the design and implementation of the project, (e.g., content advisor, research consultant, interview subject, etc.)
- Humanities Advisors
- Provide brief, one-paragraph bios for each advisor describing area of expertise; relevant scholarship, research or writings; and position and institutional affiliation, if applicable.
- Project Personnel
- Project Director: Please provide a half-page bio and a list of production credits and major broadcast, screening, exhibition and award information.
- Key Project Personnel: Provide brief, one-paragraph bios and email addresses for confirmed personnel. Bios should include information about each person’s technical or substantive expertise. Briefly explain each person’s role in the project.
- Project Director: Please provide a half-page bio and a list of production credits and major broadcast, screening, exhibition and award information.
- Target Audience (maximum length: one paragraph)
- Please describe the target audience(s) for your project, including any underserved audiences.
- Please describe the target audience(s) for your project, including any underserved audiences.
- Goals and Impact (maximum length: half a page)
- What are the specific goals for the research and development stage of this project (e.g. a fundraising trailer, treatment and script, etc.)?
- What impact do you hope this project will have when completed?
- Fundraising Strategy (maximum length: half a page)
- Describe the strategy for raising additional funds necessary to complete the project.
- Provide information on all sources and amounts of project income received to date. List the status of other sources of funding currently under consideration, whether to be applied for or pending.
- Describe the strategy for raising additional funds necessary to complete the project.
- Sponsoring Organization (maximum length: one paragraph)
- Provide a brief description of the sponsoring organization. Please include the name of the organization’s executive officer.
- Explain the sponsoring organization’s role in the project.
- Timeline (suggested length: one page)
Provide a timeline detailing major R&D activities (e.g., meetings with humanities experts, research schedules, trailer production, etc.) from the beginning of the grant period, March 1, 2011, until completion. Please note that project activities for which you seek CCH funding cannot occur prior to funding notification and that the maximum term of this grant is two years (project must conclude by February 28, 2013).
Please provide the timeline in this format:
TIME PERIOD ACTIVITY March 2011 Project team meeting with humanities advisors, Los Angeles
Begin archival research, Huntington Library
Preliminary phone interviews with potential subjectsApril – May 2011 Consult humanities advisors about interview topics and approach
Shoot interviews with Los Angeles-based subjects for fundraising trailer
Transcribe and review interview materialJune 2011 Plan major location shoot, San Diego etc.
- Required Sample Work and Explanation of Selection (maximum length: one paragraph).
Explain the selection of prior work. Provide any necessary background information about the work sample, including broadcast, festival and award history. Briefly outline what role(s) current project staff played in its creation.
Required sample materials:
Film and radio applicants
Sample work should be mailed directly to CCH’s San Francisco office to be considered for review and must arrive before 5 pm on November 1, 2010. All work samples should be produced, edited, directed or written by the project director and be clearly labeled with name, contact information, project title, and sponsoring organization. Work samples are weighed heavily in the review, so be sure to submit your best work and to test your samples before mailing them. Sample materials will not be returned.- Two copies of previously completed work (DVD/CD)
- Internet link(s) to a previously completed web-based project or two copies of media samples (DVD/CD)
- Two copies of previously completed work (DVD/CD)
- Full Project Budget (Excel templates to be uploaded separately)
Each project may request up to $7,000. The grant request must be matched by at least a 1:1 amount of cash or in-kind contributions from non-federal sources. All contributions must be reflected in your project budget whether these funds are in place at the time of application or projected. Funds from NEH, state humanities councils or other federally-assisted programs may not be used for the matching funds. See the FAQ for in-kind details.- The itemized project budget in Excel. Please download and use the research and development budget template provided on the CCH website. Provide itemized breakdowns of all costs. The budget should reflect all costs associated with the research and development stages of the project, including CCH grant funds and related matching funds. Indirect administrative fees can account for up to 10% of your request. For other eligible costs covered by the grant, see the FAQ.
- The itemized project budget in Excel. Please download and use the research and development budget template provided on the CCH website. Provide itemized breakdowns of all costs. The budget should reflect all costs associated with the research and development stages of the project, including CCH grant funds and related matching funds. Indirect administrative fees can account for up to 10% of your request. For other eligible costs covered by the grant, see the FAQ.
- Budget Narrative (to be included in proposal narrative)
Clarify any budget items that need a narrative explanation. For example, if travel is budgeted at $300, provide a breakdown of costs and explain here why this is necessary for the project (travel: 2 RT flights x $150 for project staff travel to LA for meeting with humanities advisors). The narrative should also be used to identify other project funders and sources of income. Give an estimate of individual support (names not necessary).