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CFAs: Recovering Voices Community Research Program

Deadline: 15-Jan-2026

The Recovering Voices Community Research Program (CRP) supports Indigenous and community-led efforts to document and revitalize languages, cultural knowledge, and traditional knowledge systems through research visits to the Smithsonian Institution. Applicants can request up to USD $10,000 to access collections, conduct community-driven research, and produce documentation such as video, audio, or photographs. Proposals are due January 15, 2026.

Recovering Voices Community Research Program (CRP): Funding for Language and Cultural Revitalization

The Recovering Voices Community Research Program (CRP) provides financial and logistical support to communities working to preserve, strengthen, and revitalize their languages, cultural practices, and traditional knowledge. The program allows researchers to access Smithsonian collections and develop projects that produce meaningful, community-driven outcomes.

What the Program Offers

CRP strengthens cultural and linguistic revitalization by supporting research visits to the Smithsonian and helping community researchers reconnect with heritage materials through structured collaboration.

Key Support Provided

  • Funding up to $10,000 USD for Smithsonian research visits

  • Logistical assistance (travel, lodging, repository access)

  • Guidance from Smithsonian curators and staff

  • Support for creating video, photo, and audio documentation

  • Requirement to submit a final report after the visit

Why This Program Matters

This program matters because many languages and cultural traditions are endangered, and heritage materials in institutions like the Smithsonian play a crucial role in revitalization. Community-led research ensures cultural authority, strengthens intergenerational knowledge transfer, and supports long-term cultural survival.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include community researchers, cultural practitioners, Indigenous organizations, language revitalization teams, and community-led heritage groups. Projects must require access to Smithsonian collections, show strong community involvement, and applicants must not have received CRP funding in the previous year. Priority is given to proposals that demonstrate community leadership and direct community benefit.

Funding Amount and Restrictions

Applicants may request up to $10,000 USD, covering travel, lodging, research supplies, documentation, and similar project costs. Recipients must wait one year before applying again.

How to Apply

All proposals must be submitted as one PDF that includes every required component.

Required Proposal Components

  1. Cover Page

  2. Detailed Project Description explaining: significance, urgency, background, roles of participants, collections to be consulted, proof of consultation with curators, research methods, and dissemination plans

  3. Project Timeline

  4. Itemized Budget with justification

  5. Ethical/IRB documentation (if applicable)

  6. 1–2 Letters of Support

  7. CVs or bios for all team members

Submission Deadline

January 15, 2026

How the Review Process Works

Proposals are evaluated on their effective use of Smithsonian collections, community impact, clarity and feasibility of the research plan, and strength of dissemination strategies. Projects showing strong community-driven leadership receive priority.

Responsibilities After Receiving Funding

Awardees must complete their research visit, collaborate on creating video/photo/audio documentation, and submit a final report summarizing daily activities, results, goals met, and feedback. Recovering Voices also conducts its own assessments to evaluate program impact.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Not consulting with Smithsonian curatorial staff before applying

  • Submitting incomplete budgets

  • Weak explanation of community relevance

  • Insufficient methodological detail

  • Missing letters of support or required documentation

FAQ

1. What is the maximum funding amount?

Up to $10,000 USD per project.

2. Can previous recipients reapply?

Only after waiting one full year.

3. Who should apply?

Indigenous community researchers, cultural knowledge holders, language revitalization teams, and heritage-focused organizations.

4. What types of projects qualify?

Projects that use Smithsonian collections for language revitalization, cultural documentation, traditional knowledge research, or community heritage work.

5. Is curator consultation required?

Yes, proof of consultation must be included in the proposal.

6. What is required in the final report?

Daily logs, outcomes achieved, community impact, and program feedback.

7. In what format should proposals be submitted?

A single PDF file containing all required materials.

Conclusion

The Recovering Voices Community Research Program offers essential support for communities working to preserve and revitalize their languages and cultural traditions. With up to $10,000 in funding and guided access to Smithsonian collections, the program empowers community-led research and strengthens cultural continuity. Applicants committed to safeguarding cultural knowledge should prepare their proposals by January 15, 2026.

For more information, visit Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.