Research Grants - Jacobs Research Funds
Research Grants - Jacobs Research Funds supports researchers studying aboriginal languages and cultures in the Americas, prioritizing endangered traditions and new data to benefit participants and society.
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Funder: Jacobs Research Funds
Due Dates: February 15, 2027 (Annual proposal deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $3,000, $6,000, or $9,000 USD by category; most projects last one year or less
Summary: Supports research on aboriginal languages and cultures of North and South America, prioritizing endangered languages, cultures, and new data.
Key Information: Recipients must deposit field materials with University of Washington Libraries and submit a final report.
Description
Jacobs Research Funds (JRF) supports anthropological and linguistic research on living aboriginal peoples of North and South America. Funded work includes language documentation, anthropological linguistics, social-cultural anthropology, folklore, religion, mythology, music, dance, and other arts. The program supports practical research expenses rather than researcher salaries or institutional administration, with the intention that the knowledge generated benefits both research participants and society.
JRF is a collaboration between the Whatcom Museum and University of Washington Libraries. The museum maintains the funds and disburses awards, while the libraries preserve grantees’ field materials. Priority goes to endangered cultures and languages, Pacific Northwest research, and projects producing new data—including digitizing, transcribing, and translating older materials at risk of becoming lost or inaccessible. Projects solely processing, analyzing, or publishing previously gathered data receive lower priority.
