The Wenner-Gren Foundation offers the Post-PhD Research Grant to support independent research projects in anthropology and related fields. This grant aims to advance innovative, rigorous scholarship that deepens the understanding of human society and culture.
Scholars are encouraged to submit proposals that cross disciplinary boundaries, explore new methods, or engage with emerging theoretical perspectives. The foundation welcomes research of all geographic and thematic scopes.
The maximum award is USD 25,000. Although nonrenewable, applicants may design projects that involve multiple research phases (for example, separate summer fieldwork periods) if this structure is justified in their research plan.
Funds may not be used to pay institutional overhead or administrative fees.
Eligibility
To be considered for the Wenner-Gren Post-PhD Research Grant, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a PhD (or equivalent degree) in anthropology or a closely related discipline.
- Be of any nationality and affiliated with any institution—or none at all (independent scholars are welcome).
- Applicants within five months of completing their doctorate may apply, provided the degree is officially awarded before the grant’s start date.
- Previous Wenner-Gren grantees must have completed all reporting requirements before reapplying.
- Applicants who were previously unsuccessful may reapply but must include a clear explanation of how they have addressed reviewer feedback in their revised proposal.
Application Components
Applicants must submit the following materials:
- Personal and project information
- A project abstract written in accessible language
- Responses to six key questions about the research
- A resubmission statement (if applicable)
- A Plan A (ideal) budget
- A Plan B (reduced) budget
- A detailed bibliography
- A list of required permits or approvals (if relevant)
Applications must be written in English and submitted via the Foundation’s online portal, which opens approximately two months before each deadline.
Evaluation and Reporting
Applications are reviewed through a double-anonymous process, ensuring fairness and objectivity. Projects are evaluated based on intellectual merit, theoretical contribution, feasibility, and potential impact on the field of anthropology.
Successful applicants must submit a final report (around 1,500 words) summarizing key findings, research evidence, and a financial statement. Equipment purchased above USD 2,500 must be either returned, donated, or retained with formal approval.
Failure to submit the final report may render applicants ineligible for future Wenner-Gren funding opportunities.
Summary
The Wenner-Gren Post-PhD Research Grant is one of the most prestigious funding opportunities for anthropologists seeking to advance independent fieldwork and original research. It empowers scholars to push disciplinary boundaries, strengthen cross-cultural understanding, and contribute new knowledge to the global anthropological community.
Application Deadlines:
- November 1, 2025 – for projects beginning between July and December
Decisions are typically announced six months after each deadline.
To learn more or apply, visit the official Wenner-Gren Foundation website here:
🔗 https://wennergren.tfaforms.net/4979986
