Special Research Support Grants
Special Research Support Grants support independent scholars by funding research materials, technology, training, and ergonomic home-office equipment to help offset the practical costs of their research.
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Funder: National Coalition of Independent Scholars
Due Dates: November 1, 2026 (Fall application) | November 15, 2026 (Fall decision) | March 1, 2027 (Spring application) | March 15, 2027 (Spring decision) | July 1, 2027 (Summer application) | July 15, 2027 (Summer decision)
Funding Amounts: Up to $150 per grant; $750 annual cap on NCIS grants, excluding the Elizabeth Eisenstein Essay Prize
Summary: Supports independent scholars’ research-related materials, technology, training, and home-office equipment costs.
Key Information: Applicants must be fully vetted, paid-up NCIS members; the program’s eligibility rules require 12 months of Full or Associate membership.
Description
The National Coalition of Independent Scholars (NCIS) offers Special Research Support Grants to help members offset the practical costs of independent research. Many independent scholars conduct research from home offices and may also teach online. The grants support both research resources and the technology and ergonomic equipment used in these settings.
Supported expenses include research-related books and journal subscriptions, including JSTOR through NCIS; registration for virtual conferences and seminars; field-specific association subscriptions; and online training. Grants can also cover technical support, hardware, software, and ergonomic aids such as chairs and molded keyboards. Applicants may seek support for intended purchases or reimbursement for qualifying recent purchases.
