Source-cited funding research · independent researchers
Funding calls worth checking. And the ones to skip.
Live calls that may accept researchers without a university or nonprofit home. Each first pass shows the eligibility gate, likely no-go, applicant-held facts to confirm, official source and check date.
No match scores. No eligibility promise. Uncertainty stays visible. Final eligibility decisions belong to the funder.
Compare the current calls
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Academia: PhD in hand and a book beyond the dissertation or 5+ substantial peer-reviewed articles/chapters. Government, policy or nonprofit applicants: equivalent professional distinction, typically 10+ years and substantial impact/publication/leadership.
Main no-go
Project is partisan, advocacy-led, or outside strategic competition, economic statecraft, technology and innovation, or regional studies.
Logistics
Non-residential. Twelve months, June 1, 2027–May 30, 2028. Wilson Center pays for a DC trip at the start and end. English proficiency required.
Application pieces
Interfolio application including project proposal and letters of recommendation; official guidelines govern the complete submission.
You need to confirmYour publication/professional record; pillar alignment; passport/visa readiness; ability to balance other responsibilities.
Checked against the official source on September 16, 2026.
U.S. citizen; postdoctoral researcher no more than five years beyond the doctorate (terminal professional degrees also eligible); an eligible and available Smithsonian advisor identified before review.
Main no-go
No suitable Smithsonian advisor, or the project does not require Smithsonian experts, facilities, collections or resources.
Logistics
Independent research with Smithsonian resources. Research allowance is discussed in the application, but the current public program page does not state the fellowship stipend, so no award amount is headlined here.
Application pieces
One-page abstract; research proposal up to 6 pages; timetable; budget/justification; bibliography up to 2 pages; CV up to 5 pages; terminal-degree transcript(s); two non-Smithsonian references.
You need to confirmCitizenship; doctorate date; advisor eligibility and availability; specific Smithsonian resources needed.
Checked against the official source on September 16, 2026.
Conditional fit
Solmsen Fellowship
2026-10-22 11:59 PM ET · $60,000 + health benefits if on UW payroll
Humanities project on European history, literature, philosophy, politics, religion, art, music or culture in the classical, medieval or early modern period before 1700. Independent scholars are eligible.
Main no-go
Cannot live in Madison for the academic year; UW–Madison faculty; international applicant cannot qualify for J-1; project is mainly an edition, anthology or translation without supported fit.
Logistics
Residential. Weekly Monday seminar, regular campus-office use and one IRH seminar presentation. Award cannot be deferred.
Application pieces
Project proposal up to 1,500 words; CV; two recommendation letters; 100-word abstract in Interfolio. All applicant and recommendation materials due at the deadline.
You need to confirmProject period/field; Madison relocation; J-1 eligibility if applicable; two recommenders.
Checked against the official source on September 16, 2026.
Graduate students, independent scholars and faculty at any rank researching Black intellectual history toward a dissertation or book. AAIHS membership is required; graduate students must have passed qualifying exams.
Main no-go
Current AAIHS board member; not an AAIHS member; graduate student has not passed qualifying exams; project is outside Black intellectual history or not toward a dissertation/book.
Logistics
Research support may cover domestic/international travel or other research expense. Funds must be used by December 30, 2027; recipients submit a detailed report.
Application pieces
One PDF with CV up to 3 pages, 3–5-page double-spaced project proposal and budget; one recommendation letter sent separately to awards@aaihs.org.
You need to confirmAAIHS membership; board status; qualifying-exam status if a graduate student; dissertation/book fit.
Checked against the official source on September 16, 2026.
Conditional fit
Folger Long-term Scholarly Fellowship
2026-12-15 11:59 PM ET · $35,000 / 5 months OR $70,000 / 9 months
Terminal degree and a project whose research would significantly use Folger printed books, manuscripts or digital resources. Choose the 5-month or 9-month duration.
Main no-go
No terminal degree by the fellowship start, or the project cannot justify significant Folger collections use.
Logistics
Full-time research. Up to 1 month virtual for a 5-month award or 3 months for a 9-month award, with justification.
Application pieces
250-word abstract; 1,500-word project description and work plan; 2-page CV; 1–2-page Folger materials list; one recommendation letter (missing letter disadvantages but does not formally disqualify).
You need to confirmTerminal-degree timing; duration choice; Folger materials; residential/virtual work plan.
Checked against the official source on September 16, 2026.
Method and uncertainty
What verified means here
Source first
Every call links to an official source and carries the date it was checked. Deadlines include the source timezone when one is stated.
Uncertainty stays visible
We separate confirmed eligibility from applicant-held facts and unclear terms. A first pass narrows the work; the funder makes the final eligibility decision.
Corrections
Terms change and official pages can go stale. Send the call URL and the claimed issue to the public contact below so the source can be checked again.
Attribution
Records keep the attribution of the operator who checked them. A service contact is not an authorship claim.
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