Franklin Research Grants
Last updated June 2008

FAQs

Scope
Since 1933 the American Philosophical Society has awarded small grants to scholars in order to support the cost of research leading to publication in all areas of knowledge. In 2007-2008 the Franklin Research Grants program awarded over $365,000 to 84 scholars, and the Society expects to make a similar number of awards in this year’s competition. The Franklin program is particularly designed to help meet the costs of travel to libraries and archives for research purposes; the purchase of microfilm, photocopies, or equivalent research materials; the costs associated with fieldwork; or laboratory research expenses.

Franklin grants are made for noncommercial research. They are not intended to meet the expenses of attending conferences or the costs of publication. The Society does not pay overhead or indirect costs to any institution. Grants will not be made to replace salary during a leave of absence or earnings from summer teaching; pay living expenses while working at home; cover the costs of consultants or research assistants; or purchase permanent equipment such as computers, cameras, tape recorders, or laboratory apparatus.

Eligibility
Applicants are expected to have a doctorate or to have published work of doctoral character and quality. Predoctoral graduate students are not eligible, but the Society is particularly interested in supporting the work of young scholars who have recently received their Ph.D. American citizens and residents of the United States may use their Franklin awards at home or abroad. Foreign nationals must use their Franklin awards for research in the United States. Applicants who have received Franklin grants may reapply after an interval of two years.

Awards
Funding is offered up to a maximum of $6,000 for use in calendar year 2009. Grants are not retroactive.

Grants are payable to the individual applicant. Franklin grants are taxable income, but the Society is not required to report payments. It is recommended that grant recipients discuss their reporting obligations with their tax advisors.

Deadlines
For applications and two letters of support ON OUR FORM:

• October 1, 2008, for a January 2009 decision for work in February through December
   
  
• December 1, 2008, for a March 2009 decision for work in April through December

These are receipt deadlines, NOT postmark deadlines. It is the applicant’s responsibility to verify that all required materials, including letters of support, reached the Society on time; contact Linda Musumeci, Research Administrator, at LMusumeci@amphilsoc.org or 215-440-3429.

Requirements
Reports are due no later than one month after completing the work for which the award was made.

How to Apply
Retrieve the 4-page application form below. Maintain the specified 4-page format; do not add extra pages. Type all information; use nothing smaller than 11pt. Respond to every section, and in the space provided. Completed applications include: a) the cover sheet, b) the project statement, c) the budget statement, d) the fourth page, and e) two letters of support ON OUR FORM, which may be submitted electronically to lettersofsupport@amphilsoc.org or forwarded with the proposal in sealed envelopes. Alert your referees that letters MUST follow our format and MUST NOT exceed one page. The application and both letters must be received by the deadline.

Completed applications may be submitted as e-mail attachments to applications@amphilsoc.org or mailed to:

Forms

Application Form

• MS Word format (fill-in form)
  
• Rich Text format (fill-in form)
  
• MS Word format
  
• Rich Text format
  
• pdf format

Referee Letter

• MS Word format
  
• Rich Text format
  
• pdf format

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View the Recipients of Franklin Research Grants