The Wenner-Gren Foundation is one of the world's major funders of anthropological research, supporting doctoral and postdoctoral fieldwork across all subfields and all countries. Its Dissertation Fieldwork Grant (up to $25,000) funds PhD thesis research that advances anthropological knowledge, and its Post-PhD Research Grant (up to $25,000) funds individual research by doctorate-holding anthropologists. Both are open to applicants of any nationality or institutional affiliation.
Why it is notable: genuinely global eligibility ("qualified students of any nationality or institutional affiliation may apply" — official), no preference for methodology, location, topic, or subfield, and a six-month review with a published one-resubmission rule — rare transparency for a major research funder.
Funding at a glance
What it covers
Research project costs up to US$25,000 per grant (nonrenewable) — fieldwork expenses, research phases across multiple seasons where justified by the research design.
No institutional overhead or grant-administration fees are covered.
Note: this is project funding, not a stipend or salary.
Eligibility criteria
Qualification Required
Enrolled in a doctoral programfor Dissertation FieldworkPhD in handfor Post-PhD Research Grant
These grants are offered for anthropological research projects — doctoral dissertation/thesis fieldwork (Dissertation Fieldwork Grant) and individual postdoctoral research (Post-PhD Research Grant). Not degree scholarships.
Who can apply
All nationalities — "Qualified students of any nationality or institutional affiliation may apply" (official). Applicants must be enrolled in a doctoral program in anthropology, hold a previous degree in anthropology, or be affiliated with anthropology through their dissertation supervisor. Anthropology here includes socio-cultural, linguistic, and biological anthropology and archaeology, or their equivalents in countries where these fields are named differently.
Experience
No fixed experience requirement — but the dissertation supervisor must have an officially recognized role in the applicant's training, and awardees must have completed all doctoral degree requirements other than the dissertation/thesis before the project start date (proof from the department required).
Language Certificate
No language certificate required — but applications must be in English.
Other Certificates
No degree certificates required at application ("Please do not send transcripts" — official). Proof of completed coursework/exams is required from successful applicants before the start date.
Age Limit
No Age Limit
Check your eligibility
Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
All nationalities and all institutional affiliations eligible (official). U.S. sanctions rules apply to project locations (see restrictions).
2
Last degree checker
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
3
Course checker
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Complete all three checks
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Qualification
doctoral enrollment in anthropology (or anthropology-affiliated via degree or supervisor) for the Fieldwork grant; completed PhD for the Post-PhD grant.
02
Language
applications must be in English.
03
Documents
abstract, application-question answers, detailed budget, bibliography — online only; no transcripts, references, or publications (they are not reviewed).
04
Timing
all doctoral requirements except the dissertation must be complete before the project start date (departmental proof required of awardees).
05
Resubmission
one resubmission allowed with a statement addressing reviewers' comments; no applications at two consecutive deadlines; one submission under consideration at a time; one application per calendar year across programs.
06
Compliance
U.S. OFAC/sanctions compliance; special documentation for listed sanctioned regions before funds release; generative-AI policy must be consulted.
Document checklist
01Online application form (all fields).
02Project abstract.
03Answers to the application questions (per the Application Guide).
04Detailed budget (no institutional overhead).
05Bibliography.
06Resubmission statement (only if reapplying after an unsuccessful cycle).
07Proof from the department of completed coursework/exams (successful applicants only, before the start date).
Application fee
No fee — completely free.
Visa, kept concise: Study visa type for this destination: Not a study program — no student visa.
Application Procedure
10 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
Read the program page and the Foundation's
Application Guide (linked from the program page) for the application questions.
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02
Note the generative-AI policy on the Foundation's
website before drafting.
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03
Wait for the portal to open —
the online portal opens 2 months before each deadline (apply via the portal link on the official program page).
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06
Submit all forms and materials online before
the deadline. Do NOT send transcripts, reference letters, manuscripts, publications, photographs, or recordings — they will not be used in review and cannot be returned.
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05
If resubmitting, include the resubmission statement addressing
reviewers' comments and explaining what changed.
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04
Complete the online application in English
project abstract, answers to the application questions, detailed budget, and bibliography.
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07
Review takes about 6 months.
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08
Online application form (all fields).
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09
Project abstract.
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10
Answers to the application questions (per the
Application Guide).
Application milestones
1 May 2027
Application deadline
2027
Intake year
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological… platform.
Is there any preference for methodology, location, topic, or subfield? A: No — the Foundation states there is no preference, and particularly welcomes proposals integrating two or more subfields and pCan international students apply? A: Yes — qualified students of any nationality or institutional affiliation may apply.Is there a limit on the grant duration? A: No — there is no limit to the duration of the grant; applicants may request funding for distinct research phases (e.g., two summers) as part of the research When does the portal open? A: The online portal opens 2 months before each application deadline.How long does review take? A: About 6 months to complete the review process and reach a final decision.Can I resubmit if I was unsuccessful? A: Yes — a single resubmission is accepted, with a statement addressing reviewers' comments; but you may not apply to the same program at two consecutive deadlineShould I send reference letters or transcripts? A: No — the Foundation explicitly asks applicants not to send transcripts, reference letters, manuscripts, publications, photographs, or recordings; theDo Wenner-Gren awards cover institutional overhead? A: No — awards do not include funds for institutional overhead or grant-administration fees.
Need document or attestation help?
Detailed attestation guidance stays in Opplore's standalone Guides section, not inside this scholarship page.
United States · Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological…