[U.S. National Science Foundation](https://www.nsf.gov/)

September 15, 2025 (Senior Research Proposals & Fellowships)

~$4.5M annually; Senior Research Grants: $12,000–$150,000/year (1–3 years); Fellowships: $4,200/month (6–12 months, up to $50,400)

Supports research and documentation of endangered human languages, including fieldwork, digital recording, archiving, and development of computational tools.

--- ## Description This program, jointly funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), aims to develop and advance knowledge concerning endangered human languages. With nearly half of the world’s approximately 7,000 languages at risk of extinction, this initiative supports projects that document, record, and archive endangered languages, leveraging advances in information technology. The program funds activities such as fieldwork, preparation of lexicons and grammars, creation of digital databases, and development of computational methods for language documentation. It also seeks to foster the next generation of researchers and encourage collaborations with speaker communities. --- ## Due Dates - **Full Proposal Deadline:** September 15, 2025 (for Senior Research Proposals and Fellowships) - Recurs annually on September 15 for future cycles. --- ## Funding Amount - **Estimated Total Funding:** ~$4,500,000 annually (approx. $3.5M from NSF, up to $1M from NEH) - **Expected Number of Awards:** 26–30 per year (including up to 5 fellowships) - **Senior Research Grants:** $12,000–$150,000 per year, for 1–3 years - **Fellowships:** $4,200 per month, for 6–12 months (maximum $50,400 per 12-month period) --- ## Eligibility - **Eligible Applicants:** - U.S. non-profit, non-academic organizations (e.g., museums, research labs, professional societies) - Accredited U.S. institutions of higher education (2- and 4-year, including community colleges) - Federally recognized Tribal Nations, tribal organizations, and other American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian serving organizations - **Who May Serve as PI:** - **Senior Research Grants:** No restrictions - **Fellowships:** U.S. citizens and foreign nationals who have lived in the U.S. or its jurisdictions for at least three years prior to the deadline; applicants may be affiliated or unaffiliated individuals and do not need advanced degrees. Individuals currently enrolled in degree-granting programs are ineligible. --- ## Application Process - **Submission Methods:** Proposals may be submitted via NSF FastLane or Grants.gov. - **Key Components:** - Project summary and description (including language(s) to be documented, methodologies, data management, and broader impacts) - Data Management Plan (DMP) specifying archiving location and public accessibility - Statement of consultation with relevant language communities - Budget and justification (fellowships have a fixed stipend and simplified budget) - Supplementary documents, including letters from archives and community partners as applicable - **Review Criteria:** - Intellectual Merit (advancement of knowledge) - Broader Impacts (benefits to society, training, and community collaboration) - Additional DEL-specific criteria (urgency, level of endangerment, accessibility, and significance of the language) --- ## Additional Information - No cost sharing or matching is required. - At least half of available funding is awarded to projects involving direct fieldwork. - DEL does not fund language revitalization projects (see the [Administration for Native Americans](http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ana/programs/native-language-preservation-maintenance) for revitalization support). - All proposals must comply with NSF’s Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide ([PAPPG](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1)). --- ## External Links - [Program Solicitation & Details](https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf16576) - [NSF Program Page](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/del-documenting-endangered-languages/12816) - [Grants.gov Opportunity Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359346) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) --- ## Contact Information | Name/Role | Organization | Email | Phone | |-----------|--------------|-------|-------| | Colleen Fitzgerald, Lead Program Officer | NSF | cfitzger@nsf.gov | (703) 292-4381 | | Lura Chase, Program Officer | NSF | lchase@nsf.gov | (703) 292-8682 | | Anna M. Kerttula de Echave, Program Officer | NSF | akerttul@nsf.gov | (703) 292-7432 | | D. T. Langendoen, Program Officer | NSF | dlangend@nsf.gov | (703) 292-5088 | | Mary Downs, Senior Program Officer | NEH | mdowns@neh.gov | (202) 606-8456 | | Stefanie Walker, Senior Program Officer | NEH | swalker@neh.gov | (202) 606-8478 | | NSF Grants.gov Support | NSF | grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov | 1-800-518-4726 | ---

Documenting Endangered Languages

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