Call For Applications: Advancement of Buddhist Literacy Grant: Buddhist Writer-In-Digital-Residence

Dear Colleagues,

Tsadra Foundation is calling for applications for a grant to write essays on the history, philosophy, and practices associated with buddha-nature teachings and tathāgatagarbha theory in Tibet. Grants may be for up to two years, with a flexible time frame of grant activity and effort. For example, a person already holding a half-time position in the field may apply for the grant. A person with an academic position may write full-time during the summer and spread the grant over the course of two academic years. Candidates will have an MA, Ph.D., be ABD, or have significant publications and experience with Tibetan Buddhism. The grant will be for no less than $35,000 for part-time and no more than $100,000 per year for full-time, commensurate with experience and qualifications of the applicant.

Grant recipients will become the writer-in-digital-residence for Tsadra Foundation’s buddha-nature project and will publish well-researched essays and help to curate the project website. The specific essay topics and number of contributions will be decided upon in collaboration with the Foundation; final project deliverables will be clarified in writing prior to the start of the grant. 

This grant is designed to support Tsadra Foundation’s Buddhist literacy projects that connect the larger public with academic research and advance understanding of specific aspects of Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Proposed writing projects will involve developing content that connects readers to detailed textual and historical data associated with Buddhist ideas, as well as to the living tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. This writing will be addressed to an audience of educated readers of Buddhist materials and Buddhist practitioners. Candidates will be expected to have an interest and at least some experience interacting with different types of communities such as western dharma practitioners, Buddhist studies students in the academy, undergraduate readers, and/or traditionally trained Tibetan Buddhists. Grant recipients will be provided with an editorial team and access to Tsadra Foundation’s library and digital resources. Grant recipients may engage in the project from anywhere in the world.

Candidates will apply with a writing sample that they feel best represents their skills. More than one writing sample is welcome, such as an academic publication and a popular publication, but no more than three samples will be reviewed. 

Interested persons should email the following items to Marcus Perman, mperman@tsadra.org:

  • A cover letter explaining their interest in the grant and proposing at least one specific writing project or research idea to be discussed with the Tsadra team. 
  • Writing sample(s)
  • Curriculum vitae
  • One letter of reference 

Applications will be accepted until May 31st, 2020. The tenure of the grant will be flexible and discussed with the recipient, but can be from no later than September 30th, 2020 until no later than September 30th, 2022. No funding may be used for overhead at university institutions and programs. This grant may be held concurrently with other fellowships and grants and any academic appointments. There is no additional financial support for dependents. Tsadra Foundation is in no way obligated to appoint any of the candidates who apply for this grant. A decision will be made by the members of the search committee after a thorough review of the submitted documents.

ABOUT TSADRA FOUNDATION

Tsadra Foundation is a nonprofit trust established in 2000 in New York City to provide vital funding for the advanced study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism in the west. Over the past 20 years, the Foundation has supported translation and publication of essential Tibetan Buddhist texts (over 112 English and French publications to date), scholarships for long-term retreat practice and advanced Buddhist studies, development of digital resources for translators and advanced study of Tibetan texts, publications from Tibetan Buddhist publishers in India, Tibet, and Nepal, and hosting conferences and workshops for translators of Tibetan texts in the west. To learn more about the Foundation’s activities before applying, visit tsadra.org and conferences.tsadra.org. Feel free to inquire about access to the buddha-nature project website anytime.

All the best wishes to everyone around the world in these strange and interesting times,

Marcus Perman
Executive Director
Tsadra Foundation
New York and Boulder, Colorado, USA