Deadline: 01-Oct-2026
The IPF programme provides structured postdoctoral funding to support early-career researchers in language documentation and linguistics.
Fellowships are hosted at academic institutions and focus on advancing:
- Field-based linguistic research
- Language documentation and preservation
- Archiving and analysis of linguistic data
Core Objectives
The fellowship aims to:
- Strengthen language documentation research capacity
- Support postdoctoral academic development
- Promote high-quality linguistic fieldwork
- Advance archiving and accessibility of language data
- Encourage integration of research and documentation practices
Key Research Areas
Language Documentation
- Audio and video recordings of languages
- Fieldwork in endangered language communities
- Collection of primary linguistic data
Archiving and Data Processing
- Transcription and translation
- Annotation of linguistic datasets
- Development of lexical databases
- Preparation of materials for long-term archiving
Academic Research and Output
- Scholarly publications
- Linguistic analysis and theory development
- Integration of field data with academic research
Academic Training and Mentorship
- Research development at host institution
- Academic mentoring and collaboration
- Integration into institutional research environments
Fellowship Duration
- Maximum duration: 24 months
Funding Overview
- Total funding: up to €250,000
- Covers:
- Postdoctoral salary support
- Fieldwork-related expenses
Exclusions
Funding does NOT cover:
- Institutional overhead costs
- Administrative charges
- Salary supplements for permanent academic staff
- Existing institutional salary obligations
Eligibility Criteria
Who Can Apply
Applicants must:
- Be early-career researchers of any nationality
- Hold a PhD in linguistics or a closely related field
- Have completed PhD within 5 years prior to start date
- Have submitted and had dissertation approved by start of fellowship
Host Institution Requirements
- Fellowship must be hosted at a different institution than PhD awarding institution, unless justified
- Host institution must support research activities and supervision
Application Structure
- Single applicant only
- No co-applicants allowed
- Principal Investigator must be an individual researcher
Key Restrictions
- Must be early-career (strict 5-year post-PhD window)
- No team-based or co-led applications
- Limited to linguistics and closely related disciplines
- Must demonstrate independent research capability
Why This Programme Matters
- Supports next-generation linguists in advanced research careers
- Strengthens global capacity in endangered language documentation
- Enables long-term preservation of linguistic data
- Promotes high-quality academic output from field research
- Builds institutional and international research collaboration
How It Works
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
- Ensure PhD completion within last 5 years
- Confirm dissertation approval by start date
- Identify suitable host institution
Step 2: Define Research Project
- Select target language or linguistic focus
- Plan fieldwork and documentation activities
- Include archiving and publication strategy
Step 3: Secure Host Institution
- Arrange academic placement
- Justify if same institution as PhD
Step 4: Prepare Application
- Research proposal
- Budget (salary + fieldwork costs)
- Documentation and archiving plan
- Academic CV and publications
Step 5: Submit Application
- Single applicant submission only
- Demonstrate independent research leadership
Step 6: Evaluation
Applications are assessed on:
- Scientific and linguistic quality
- Feasibility of fieldwork and documentation
- Academic track record and potential
- Contribution to language documentation field
- Archiving and dissemination strategy
Step 7: Fellowship Implementation
- Conduct fieldwork and documentation
- Develop datasets and publications
- Engage in host institution research activities
- Complete archiving and dissemination outputs
Common Mistakes
- Exceeding 5-year post-PhD eligibility window
- Submitting co-applications (not allowed)
- Missing dissertation approval requirement
- Weak justification for host institution change
- Lack of clear archiving strategy
Tips for a Strong Application
- Clearly define linguistic documentation goals
- Emphasize fieldwork feasibility and methodology
- Include strong archiving and data management plan
- Demonstrate independence as a researcher
- Align project with long-term language preservation goals
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the IPF programme?
- A postdoctoral fellowship supporting language documentation research
- Focuses on fieldwork, archiving, and linguistic analysis
- Hosted at academic institutions
How much funding is available?
- Up to €250,000 total
- Includes salary and fieldwork expenses
How long does the fellowship last?
- Up to 24 months
Who can apply?
- Early-career researchers with PhD in linguistics or related field
- Must be within 5 years of PhD completion
- Must have dissertation approved
Can multiple applicants apply together?
- No
- Only single applicants are allowed
Can I stay at my PhD institution?
- Generally no
- Must move to a different host institution unless justified
What does the fellowship support?
- Fieldwork in language documentation
- Archiving and data processing
- Academic research and publication
- Salary and research expenses
Conclusion
The Individual Postdoctoral Fellowships (IPF) provide substantial support for early-career linguists working in language documentation. With up to €250,000 in funding over 24 months, the programme enables independent research, fieldwork, and archiving while strengthening global efforts to preserve and study endangered languages.
For more information, visit ELDP.
