Deadline: 01-Oct-2026
The Endangered Languages Documentation Programme (ELDP) Small Grants support short-term, field-based and exploratory projects focused on documenting endangered languages worldwide.
These grants are designed to support:
- Fieldwork and data collection
- Pilot and feasibility studies
- Completion or continuation of ongoing documentation projects
- Preliminary or supplementary linguistic research
Core Purpose
The programme aims to:
- Preserve endangered and under-documented languages
- Support creation of linguistic records and archives
- Enable early-stage or small-scale documentation work
- Strengthen global linguistic diversity research
Eligible Activities
Fieldwork and Data Collection
- Audio and video recording of languages
- Elicitation sessions with speakers
- Community-based documentation work
Pilot and Feasibility Studies
- Testing documentation methods
- Assessing viability of larger research projects
- Preliminary linguistic surveys
Project Completion and Supplementary Research
- Finalising incomplete documentation projects
- Adding missing linguistic data
- Expanding existing language corpora
Archiving and Research Development
- Preparing data for linguistic archives
- Organising and annotating language materials
- Supporting open-access documentation
Funding Overview
- Maximum grant amount: €10,000
- Project duration: up to 12 months
Eligibility Criteria
Who Can Apply
ELDP Small Grants are open to:
- Language documenters of any nationality
- Researchers working anywhere in the world
- Students and early-career linguists
- Local scholars in language communities
- Collaborative research teams
Preferred Applicants
The programme especially encourages applications from:
- Members of endangered language communities
- Local and indigenous scholars
- Students from regions where languages are spoken or signed
- Collaborative, community-based projects
Experience Requirements
Applicants are generally expected to have:
- Experience in language documentation or fieldwork, or
- An appropriate academic background in linguistics or related fields
However:
- Strong interest and commitment to documentation may also be sufficient in some cases
Funding Administration Rules
Institutional Payment Requirement
- All funds are paid through an accredited institution
Principal Investigator Restrictions
The Principal Investigator must NOT be:
- A director of the host institution
- An owner or founder of the institution
- Head of financial administration within the institution
This ensures:
- Financial transparency
- Independent oversight
- Proper institutional governance
Why This Programme Matters
- Helps preserve endangered languages globally
- Supports community-led linguistic documentation
- Enables early-stage and pilot research projects
- Strengthens academic and grassroots collaboration
- Builds long-term linguistic archives for future research
How It Works
Step 1: Identify Project Type
Choose a suitable focus:
- Fieldwork documentation
- Pilot or feasibility study
- Ongoing project continuation
- Supplementary research
Step 2: Develop Research Plan
- Define language community and location
- Identify documentation methods
- Outline data collection strategy
- Plan archiving approach
Step 3: Prepare Application
- Research proposal
- Fieldwork plan and timeline (≤12 months)
- Budget up to €10,000
- Ethical considerations and community engagement
Step 4: Institutional Arrangement
- Secure accredited host institution
- Ensure PI eligibility compliance
Step 5: Submit Application
- Submit through ELDP process
- Highlight community involvement and documentation experience
Step 6: Evaluation
Applications are assessed on:
- Quality of documentation plan
- Feasibility of fieldwork
- Contribution to language preservation
- Experience and capability of applicant(s)
- Community engagement and collaboration
Step 7: Implementation
- Conduct fieldwork or research
- Document and archive language data
- Submit final reports and outputs
Common Mistakes
- Weak or unclear documentation methodology
- No plan for archiving linguistic data
- Missing institutional eligibility compliance
- Overly ambitious scope for 12-month timeline
- Lack of community engagement strategy
Tips for a Strong Application
- Clearly define endangered language focus
- Include strong fieldwork methodology
- Demonstrate ethical engagement with language communities
- Highlight prior documentation experience if available
- Emphasize archiving and long-term preservation plans
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the ELDP Small Grants programme?
- A funding scheme supporting endangered language documentation
- Focuses on fieldwork, pilot studies, and research support
- Open globally to researchers and communities
How much funding is available?
- Up to €10,000 per project
- Designed for small-scale or short-term research
How long can projects last?
- Up to 12 months
Who can apply?
- Eligible applicants include:
- Language documenters worldwide
- Any nationality
- Students and early-career researchers
- Local scholars and language community members
- Collaborative teams
- Language documenters worldwide
What experience is required?
- Preferred: experience in fieldwork or documentation
- Also open to motivated applicants with strong interest in language preservation
How are funds managed?
- Paid through accredited institutions only
- PI must not hold financial control or leadership roles in the host institution
Conclusion
The ELDP Small Grants programme provides essential support for documenting endangered languages worldwide. With funding up to €10,000, it enables fieldwork, pilot studies, and early-stage research while prioritising community participation and linguistic preservation.
For more information, visit ELDP.
