Applications Invited for Post-PhD Research Grant

The Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research is one of the world’s leading private foundations dedicated to supporting anthropology and related fields. Established in 1941 by Axel Wenner-Gren, founder of the Electro-Lux Corporation, it originally began as the Viking Fund with a broader mandate of supporting science, charity, education, and culture. Under the influence of Hungarian filmmaker-turned-anthropologist Paul Fejos, the foundation was redirected towards anthropology and renamed in 1951. Since then, the Wenner-Gren Foundation has become a central force in advancing anthropological research worldwide. The foundation has supported thousands of scholars globally, offering research grants, fellowships, and programs that foster collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and innovation across anthropology’s many subfields. Its work extends beyond traditional boundaries, promoting interdisciplinary approaches that enhance our understanding of humanity. The foundation actively encourages projects that bridge social, cultural, biological, linguistic, and archaeological anthropology. With a strong history of building international networks, Wenner-Gren is committed to creating a dynamic platform for emerging and senior scholars alike. By funding both individuals and institutions, it helps strengthen the discipline, spark new conversations, and drive transformative research. The foundation continues to nurture anthropological inquiry as a way of exploring the diversity, complexity, and shared experiences of human societies worldwide.

The Post-PhD Research Grant offered by the Wenner-Gren Foundation is designed to support individual scholars undertaking significant anthropological research. This program funds projects that advance knowledge about humanity, regardless of location, topic, methodology, or subfield. The foundation particularly values interdisciplinary research that integrates multiple subfields of anthropology or introduces innovative approaches and theoretical frameworks. Grants are non-renewable and have a maximum value of USD 25,000. Funding may be used to support distinct phases of research, such as separate field seasons, provided it aligns with the project design. Importantly, the grant does not cover institutional overheads, administrative fees, or indirect costs. The foundation places emphasis on originality, intellectual merit, and the potential contribution of the project to the discipline. Scholars are expected to design projects that demonstrate creativity, feasibility, and the ability to contribute to both anthropological scholarship and broader discussions about what it means to be human. This grant is open globally, ensuring diverse participation from different academic traditions and contexts. By supporting independent, early-career, and senior scholars, the Wenner-Gren Foundation sustains a long-standing tradition of empowering anthropological inquiry and building knowledge across societies. Unsuccessful applicants may reapply, provided they address prior reviewer feedback.