The Zoroastrian Return to Roots Program (RTR) is excited to launch the RTR Alumni Grant, which aims to support our alumni in creating new initiatives to benefit the Zoroastrian community!
We invite proposals from RTR Alumni that align with the RTR values of reconnecting Zoroastrians with their heritage while building vibrant, engaged, and organized communities for the future. This program aims to cultivate a new generation of projects that honor the past, engage the present, and inspire the future of Zoroastrian life.
Zoroastrian communities today span multiple regions and generations, from historic centers in Iran and India to growing diasporas across North America, Europe, and beyond. While this global presence offers extraordinary opportunities for exchange and renewal, it also presents challenges related to cultural continuity, community organization, and the preservation of knowledge. The Return to Roots Program seeks proposals that address these challenges by fostering meaningful engagement with Zoroastrian traditions, histories, and community structures.
Proposals must be committed to one or a combination of the following categories:
1) Cultural Preservation
Proposals may focus on strengthening local or transnational community networks, developing new forms of cultural programming, documenting Zoroastrian heritage, or creating platforms that amplify community voices. Particular emphasis will be placed on initiatives that cultivate active participation, collaboration, and long-term organizational capacity within Zoroastrian communities.
2) Community Engagement and Organization
These may include the creation of local community hubs, youth leadership programs, intergenerational dialogue initiatives, volunteer networks, or new organizational models that strengthen cooperation across diaspora communities. Applicants are encouraged to think creatively about how community infrastructure (both physical and digital) can support sustained participation and shared identity.
3) Preserve Zoroastrian Narratives Through Storytelling Mediums
Artistic projects play a vital role in preserving and sharing Zoroastrian narratives while connecting our community across geographic boundaries. We welcome proposals for documentaries, podcasts, digital archives, oral history projects, interactive media platforms, and other creative forms that document lived experiences, rituals, histories, and contemporary perspectives within Zoroastrian life. Projects that make community knowledge accessible to younger generations or broader audiences are particularly encouraged.
4) Academic and research-based initiatives
We invite projects that contribute to the study of Zoroastrian history, language, philosophy, and contemporary social life. Research may include archival work, ethnographic studies, translation projects, or collaborative scholarship conducted in partnership with community institutions. Proposals that bridge academic research and community engagement — such as public scholarship, educational materials, or community-based research — are strongly encouraged.
Tips:
Successful proposals will demonstrate a clear vision, thoughtful methodology, and a commitment to collaboration with Zoroastrian communities. Projects should show how their work will contribute to strengthening cultural continuity, expanding access to knowledge, and fostering collective participation. Interdisciplinary approaches and partnerships between scholars, artists, community organizations, and media creators are especially welcome.
Applicants from all regions are encouraged to apply. We especially welcome proposals that involve collaboration across communities, generations, and disciplines.
Eligibility:
- Lead applicant must be an RTR Alumni
- Projects may have collaborators (individuals supporting the execution of the proposal) who are not RTR Alumni, however teams composed primarily of RTR alumni will be given preference.
- Proposals must have a clear timeline that can be executed within 12 months of receiving the grant
Application Criteria:
- Proposals must be one PDF, 5 pages maximum and include the following:
- Description of the project
- Proposals should clearly indicate the category/categories they are focusing on and how they reflect the values of RTR
- Description of the team members and their roles
- Budget (include all potential costs to execute the proposal in USD)
- Execution Plan: Proposed Activities, 12-month Timeline, and Success Metrics
Alumni collaboration across generations and regions is especially encouraged. Bring your vision to life, strengthen cultural continuity, and inspire the future of Zoroastrian life!
The deadline for proposals is August 15, 2026.
Please send proposals and questions to contact@zororoots.org
Disclaimers
The Zoroastrian Return to Roots Program (RTR) does not guarantee funding for proposals submitted. The RTR Board Members will make best-faith efforts to provide funding to projects which are best aligned with one or more of the four goals highlighted.
The RTR Board Members reserve the right to amend the grant rules at any point in time at their discretion. The RTR Board Members reserve the right to approve and reject proposals, at their discretion.
Intellectual Property created with the RTR Alumni Grant must be wholly owned by the Proposal Lead. Any materials created with the use of RTR Alumni Grant funds must not infringe on copyright.