Indigenous Community Research Fund Grant

The Indigenous Community Research Fund, administered by the American Philosophical Society, supports researchers aiming to explore materials that enhance Indigenous community priorities. This initiative encourages collaboration between scholars and Indigenous groups, offering funding for travel to the APS Library & Museum in Philadelphia. Designed primarily for Indigenous community members and scholars, the fund provides $2,000-$5,000 for travel and lodging, with a focus on fostering ongoing relationships and access to invaluable archival resources.

NOTE: Applications will be considered until funds are exhausted for the year. Funding will reset yearly on January 1.
The American Philosophical Society's Library & Museum in Philadelphia invites Letters of Interest (LOI) for the Indigenous Community Research Fund to support an individual or a group of researchers seeking to examine materials at the APS to further Indigenous community-based priorities. Awardees will work with the Library & Museum’s Center for Native American and Indigenous Research (CNAIR), which aims to promote greater collaboration between scholars, archives, and Indigenous communities throughout the Americas. CNAIR focuses on helping Indigenous communities and scholars to discover and utilize the APS collection in innovative ways. The vast collections include manuscript materials, audio recordings, and images related to over 650 Indigenous cultures, predominantly from North and Central America.
Purpose & Eligibility
The ICRF provides funding for travel costs to visit the APS in Philadelphia, and includes extensive consultation with CNAIR staff before, during, and after the visit, with an aim of supporting an ongoing relationship between the APS and the researchers. This program is designed primarily for Indigenous community members, elders, teachers, knowledge keepers, tribal officials, traditional leaders, museum and archive professionals, and independent scholars.
Indigenous community-based researchers are not required to hold an award in order to access the APS collections in person or through online requests. CNAIR archivists can be contacted at any time for reference assistance at cnair@amphilsoc.org. CNAIR digitizes materials at no cost for research requests from Indigenous communities.
Funding
Generally $2,000-$5,000 for travel and lodging expenses, depending on the specific needs of the applicant

Eligibility

This fellowship is open to applicants anywhere in the world, including those who are not US citizens or residents, but it does not provide visa sponsorship.This fellowship program is designed especially for Indigenous community members, elders, teachers, knowledge keepers, tribal officials, traditional leaders, museum and archive professionals, and independent scholars.Applicants do not need to have a specific academic background or an academic affiliation to apply.Any Indigenous community whose cultural heritage is represented in the APS's Library & Museum collections is encouraged to apply.University-based scholars and independent researchers working on projects in collaboration with Indigenous communities are also eligible to apply. Such applicants are expected to provide letters of support from relevant community members.