Oral History NSW Community History Award 2026

Applications are now open for the 2026 Oral History NSW Community History Award closing 14 September 2026.

The award is designed to acknowledge the work of individuals or community groups who are recording the histories of their communities. Eligible projects may include the development of new oral history collections, digital and multimedia projects (including websites or podcasts) and printed publications based on oral history interviews.

Eligibility:

  • Applicants must be current financial members of Oral History NSW and undertaking projects based in the ACT and/or NSW.

  • Eligible projects must have been active and have produced outputs (such as a publication, website, or launch of a new collection) in the 12 months prior to the entry submission date.

  • If successful, the winner will write a short blog post and deliver a short presentation online for OHNSW about their project.

Criteria:

  • The prize is open to community-based oral history practitioners. This includes members of volunteer organisations, professional historians and freelance workers.

  • Projects that have received funding in the form of research grants or institutional support are eligible.

  • Projects conducted towards an educational qualification or degree are not eligible for this award.

  • All applications will be assessed based on merit. Oral History NSW reserves the right to not announce a successful recipient if applications received do not satisfy all criteria or reflect the required standard.

Award details:

  • The winner will be chosen by a committee based on the project’s contribution to understandings of community history and the quality, originality and/or significance of project outputs.

  • The judging panel may award joint prizes and/or commendations for excellence to outstanding runners-up.

  • The winner will receive a prize of $500.

  • Award recipients will be required to write a post describing their project for the Oral History NSW website and will be invited to give a short presentation online for Oral History NSW.

online application form:

To apply please use the form above. If you require assistance to complete this form please contact
secretary@oralhistorynsw.org.au

Applications must be received by: 14 September 2026

Oral History NSW acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which we live and work.
We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend this respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.