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

Proposals accepted anytime

Typical award: up to $15,000 direct costs for up to 24 months; total program funding ~$250,000/year; ~15 awards annually

Supports doctoral dissertation research to document, preserve, and advance understanding of endangered human languages, emphasizing digital infrastructure and data management.

--- ## Description This program funds doctoral dissertation research focused on building dynamic language infrastructure, with an emphasis on documenting and preserving endangered human languages. Projects may involve fieldwork, digitization, and the creation or enhancement of language archives, lexicons, grammars, text samples, and databases. The program aims to advance linguistic theory and foster the development of the next generation of researchers skilled in language data management and analysis. Special attention is given to projects that use innovative computational or digitization methods and those that contribute to broader access and interoperability of language resources. --- ## Due Dates - Proposals are accepted at any time; there are no fixed deadlines. --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum individual award: $15,000 in direct costs (indirect costs may be requested in addition, subject to the institution’s negotiated rate). - Project duration: up to 24 months. - Total program funding: approximately $250,000 per year, supporting around 15 awards annually. - DLI-DDRI grants are intended to supplement, not replace, institutional support for dissertation research. --- ## Eligibility - **Who may apply:** - Accredited U.S. Ph.D.-granting Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) acting on behalf of their faculty members and doctoral students. - **Who may serve as PI:** - The PI must be the doctoral advisor or another faculty member at the student’s institution. - The doctoral student must be listed as a co-PI. - **Other limitations:** - Doctoral students are limited to two DLI-DDRI submissions to the Linguistics Program during their graduate careers. - There are no limits on the number of proposals per organization or for faculty as PI. --- ## Application Process - **Submission platforms:** - Proposals may be submitted via [FastLane](https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov), [Research.gov](https://www.research.gov), or [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov). - **Proposal requirements:** - Project description (up to 10 pages) - Biographical sketches for both student and advisor - Data Management Plan (maximum 2 pages, with specific requirements for archiving and access) - Statement of consultation with relevant language communities - Signed statement from the PI affirming the student’s readiness for research - Letters of collaboration (if applicable) - Budget and justification (no stipends or tuition; only direct research costs) - **Review criteria:** - Intellectual merit and broader impacts, as defined by NSF - Specific alignment with the goals of dynamic language infrastructure and documentation --- ## Additional Information - The program does **not** fund language revitalization or expansion of actual language use; it focuses on documentation and infrastructure. - Costs not allowed: student/advisor stipends or salaries, tuition, textbooks, or publication costs (except in specific cases). - Data archiving must be arranged with a recognized repository and should be publicly accessible for non-commercial, educational use, with minimal restrictions. --- ## External Links - [NSF Program Page](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/dli-ddri-dynamic-language-infrastructure-doctoral-dissertation) - [NSF Publication 19-607 (Full Solicitation)](http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf19607) - [Grants.gov Opportunity Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359417) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Role | Email | Phone | |---------------------|---------------------|-------------------------------|---------------| | Mary Paster | Program Director | mpaster@nsf.gov | (703) 292-2762| | Tyler S. Kendall | Program Director | tkendall@nsf.gov | (703) 292-2434| | Kenyatta Johnson | Program Specialist | kenjohns@nsf.gov | (703) 292-4850| | NSF Grants.gov Support | Technical Support | grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov | | | NSF Information Center | General Info | info@nsf.gov | (703) 292-5111| ---

Dynamic Language Infrastructure-Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants

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