80%
of our annual budget goes to
Science and Education
» learn more

The Leakey Foundation is pleased to announce we were given an 80% Efficiency Rating during our most recent audit.

This means the 80% of our annual budget is granted to scientists and used for our educational programs.

In the American Institute of Philanthropy’s view, 60% or greater is reasonable for most charities and the most highly efficient charities are able to spend 75% or more on programs.

From the AIP website: "AIP is a nationally prominent charity watchdog service whose purpose is to help donors make informed giving decisions."

We spend the remaining percentage on fundraising efforts and general administration.*

* AIP has not officially rated The Leakey Foundation.

Home > Grants > Applying > Applying for Research Grants > General Application Guidelines

Research Grants Application Guidelines

Granting Semester Due Dates

Deadline Notification by Semester
January 5th May 15th Spring
July 15th December 15th Fall

PLEASE NOTE: Deadlines require that the proposal be received by the Foundation office on the date indicated.

On this page:

Formal Application

We now only accept applications through our online system. Please click here for links to the application.

A formal application is required for Research Grants. If concerned as to whether your research topic is eligible, contact the Foundation at least a month ahead of the application deadline. Relevance of your project to understanding human origins must be explicit throughout your application.

Contact the Foundation office to make sure you have the most up-to-date information. Complete the formal application in English.

Your application must be legible and reproducible. All PDF sections of your application must adhere to the following guidelines. All applicants must use the following formatting instructions. Applications which do not comply with these instructions will not be accepted for review:

  • In PDF format, page size appx. 8 1/2″ x 11″
  • Dark (black) type
  • At least 12 point typeface (typeface this size or larger)
  • At least 1/2 inch margins
  • Do not attempt to squeeze more text onto a page by using smaller typefaces or margins.
  • Readability is a more important concern than page count for all sections.
  • Smaller typefaces are allowed in the reference list only.

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Instructions

Read and follow carefully the instructions for completing the application. If the application is not completed correctly, it will be returned to the applicant for revision and deferred until the next granting session. It is extremely important that you comply with all requirements.

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Special Figures and Tables

Supplemental figures and tables may be submitted. Figures and tables must be legible. Please do not submit scans of maps or graphs that are photocopied or scanned faintly or extremely reduced in size. Color scans are welcome.

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Deadlines

In order for your application to be accepted for review, all of the required materials must be received on or before the stated deadlines of January 5 and July 15.

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Research Costs Appropriate for Support

Suggested major categories include the following: subsistence (food and lodging, per diem), expendable supplies, travel (airfare, local or ground transportation), fees (park or museum), personnel (justify in project description), special analysis costs (C14, SEM, pollen analysis, etc.). The Leakey Foundation does not allow institutional overhead of any kind.

Submit a separate budget for project-specific equipment. The purchase of expensive permanent equipment such as computers, cameras, video and recording equipment, vehicles, boats, etc. is not generally funded by the Leakey Foundation. Applicants are advised to request such items from other granting agencies.

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Former Leakey Foundation Grantees

The required financial accounting statement and final report on your previous research project must be submitted prior to submitting a new application. This directive is in compliance with IRS regulations as well as with your signed agreement. Proposals will not be accepted from applicants who do not comply with this requirement.

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Foreign Applicants

Application forms must be completed in English. Provide English translations of any letters of permission or other attachments in another language.

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Peer Review Process

Grant proposals are sent to scientists with pertinent expertise for peer review, evaluated by the Scientific Executive Committee, and must be approved for funding by the Board of Trustees. Applicants are welcome to suggest potential peer reviewers.

Edited outside reviews will be sent to applicants. These reviews are intended to offer constructive criticism, but final decisions are also based on consideration of the current applicant pool, the relevancy of your proposal to understanding human origins, and the funds available during a given year.

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Urgent Funding Requests

Applications submitted between deadlines which request immediate review because of urgent research will be accepted on a very limited basis. A thorough explanation of the urgency of the research must accompany any such request.

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How to Contact Us

Paddy Moore, Grants Officer

The Leakey Foundation

1003B O’Reilly Ave.

San Francisco, CA 94129-1359

USA

Telephone: (415) 561-4646
FAX: (415) 561-4647
E-mail: grants@leakeyfoundation.org