Frequently Asked Questions

The Leakey Foundation was formed to further research into human origins. The Leakey Foundation exclusively funds research into human origins, including paleoanthropology, genetics, primate behavior and the behavioral ecology of contemporary hunter-gatherers. Other areas of study are generally not considered.

Advanced doctoral students as well as established scientists are eligible for general research grants. High school and undergraduate college students are not eligible. There are no citizenship restrictions.

The majority of the Foundation's General Research Grants to doctoral students are in the $3,000-to a maximum of $13,500 range; the limit of funding for a single proposal submitted by a post-doctoral applicant or a senior scientists is $22,000.

No, the majority of Foundation grants are limited to funding for expenses directly related to research projects. Eligible applicants must either:

• hold a PhD or equivalent qualification in anthropology or a related discipline; or
• be enrolled in a doctoral program with all degree requirements fulfilled other than the dissertation.

General Research Grants have two application cycles each year, with deadlines falling on January 5th (spring cycle) and July 15th (fall cycle). Decisions for the spring cycle are announced in mid-May. Decisions for the fall cycle are announced in mid-January.

Under most circumstances, applications submitted for consideration outside the stated deadlines are not accepted unless a thorough explanation of urgency of the research can be made. A decision on the urgency of the request is made by the members of the Foundation's Science Executive Committee.

Qualified individuals are eligible without regard to nationality.

Small grants cover research expenses directly related and essential to the project (i.e., travel, living expenses during fieldwork, supplies, research assistance, and other relevant expenditures). Aid is not offered for salary and/or fringe benefits of applicant, tuition, non- project personnel, equipment, travel to meetings, institutional overhead, or institutional support.

At this time, we have no funding programs for dissertation write-up or any other form of publication assistance.

No, all applicants must make an explicit argument for how their research is related to understanding human evolution.

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