80%
of our annual budget goes to
Science and Education
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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 > Baldwin Fellowships > Application Guidelines

Baldwin Fellowship Eligibility

Only scholars with citizenship in a developing country are eligible.

The applicant must have a home sponsor who is a member of the institution where the applicant is affiliated in the home country, as well as a host sponsor who is a member of the institution which the candidate plans to pursue training. Should an award be made, the host sponsor must be willing to assume responsibility for overseeing the candidate’s training. Since this fellowship is intended to be a partnership between the candidate and both the home and host institutions, it is expected that candidates will be offered support by these institutions in the form of financial assistance and, upon completion of training, employment in the home country.

Amount and Duration of Awards

Awards are limited to two years. The maximum award is limited to $12,000 per year.

Budgetary Guidelines

Baldwin Fellowships may be used to cover tuition, travel, living expenses, student fees, insurance, books, and other relevant categories of expenditure. Aid is not provided for family expenses or dependent support, salary and/or fringe benefits of the applicant, nor institutional overhead.

Formal Application Deadline

Applications must be received by February 15 for the following academic year.

Application

Your original completed formal application should reach the Foundation Office by February 15 in order to be considered for funding in the following academic year, which begins in the Fall. You must send a copy of the application to your host sponsor for his/her signature. Please instruct your host sponsor to forward this second signed copy to our office. Formal letters of support from both the home and host sponsors must also reach the office by this deadline.

Letters from Sponsors

Applicants must request letters from both the Home Sponsor and the Host Sponsor to be sent directly to the Foundation.

  1. The Home Sponsor must be the department head or an appropriate individual from the institution with which the candidate is affiliated in the home country and in which the candidate intends to pursue a career. A letter of recommendation must be mailed directly to the Foundation by the Home Sponsor, separately from the application form. The letter should state:
    1. the candidate’s qualifications;

    2. the reasons the candidate needs training abroad;
    3. the kinds of support (monetary or other) that the Home Institution and/or the home government will provide; and
    4. the candidate’s employment and research prospects upon return to the home country. Past Home Institution support has included travel and stipend supplements.
  2. The Host Sponsor must be a faculty member of the department or program in which the candidate plans to pursue training. The Host Sponsor must be willing to supervise the candidate’s training and fulfillment of the terms of the Fellowship, if awarded. A letter of recommendation must be mailed directly to the Foundation by the Host Sponsor, separately from the application form. This letter should describe:
    1. the candidate’s prospects for success in the proposed program of study/training;

    2. the length of time that is likely to be required for completion of this program;
    3. the facilities and support to be made available to the candidate while at the Host Institution; and
    4. any financial assistance that the Host Institution will offer the candidate. (Past Host Institutions have provided fellowship support, waived tuition, travel, or subsidized living accommodations.)

Notification

The Foundation office will notify candidates by May 15th about the status of their applications.

Conditions of Awards

The following reporting requirements are conditions of the Fellowship Agreement:

Progress Reports

  1. Fellow Progress Reports: Progress Reports are required for multi-year Fellowships and are to be submitted as part of the Renewal Application. Progress Reports will determine the Fellow’s eligibility, include an accounting of funds expended to date (which will be approved and signed by the Host Sponsor and the Fellow), and include course work and grades to date. Formal transcripts must be sent to the Foundation at the end of each academic year. This progress report will be used to determine the Fellow’s eligibility for continued support and is DUE MARCH 1ST.
  2. Host Sponsor Progress Reports: The Host Sponsor must provide the Foundation and the Home Institution/Sponsor with a progress report at the end of each year of the Fellow’s training period. The report should address the Fellow’s academic performance, progress in language ability (when applicable), and any other matters pertinent to the Fellow’s ability to complete the course of training undertaken, as well as a realistic estimate of the time required to complete the training. This progress report will be used to determine the Fellows eligibility for continued support and is DUE MARCH 1ST.

Final Reports

The final reports, transcript, and financial statements must be SUBMITTED WITHIN THREE MONTHS after the end of the study/training period as stated by the Fellow on his/her application form.

  1. Fellow: Upon conclusion of the final year of the Fellowship, the Fellow must summarize his/her accomplishments in a Final Report (2-3 pages).
  2. Host Sponsor: At the end of the training period, the Host Sponsor must provide the Foundation with a final report on the Fellow’s accomplishments. If the Fellow requires additional training either to: 1) reach the initial goals of this Fellowship award or 2) to obtain more advanced training before returning to his/her Home Country, elaborate on this plan including sources of support and estimated time for completion.
  3. Transcript: A final transcript must be requested from the Host Institution by the Fellow and a copy submitted to the Foundation.
  4. Financial: The Fellow and Host Sponsor must make sure that the Host Institution submits an official signed accounting for the US dollar amount expended each year. This accounting is to be supplemented by a more detailed statement of expenditures by the Fellow which is signed by both the Fellow and the Host Sponsor.
  5. Upon the Completion of the Training, the Fellow must provide a status report on further educational plans and/or a position taken in the Home Country. At the time of return to his/her Home Country, the Fellow must provide the Foundation with a current address.

How to contact us

Paddy Moore
Grants Officer
The Leakey Foundation
1003B O’Reilly Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94129-0346
USA

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