Franklin Research Grants
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 2023–2024 the Franklin Research Grants program awarded over $660,000 to 100+ 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.
Applicants are expected to have a doctorate or to have published work of doctoral character and quality. Ph.D. candidates are not eligible to apply, but the Society is particularly interested in supporting the work of young scholars who have recently received the doctorate. Independent scholars and faculty members at all four-year and two-year research and non-research institutions are welcome to apply provided that all eligibility guidelines are met. American citizens and residents of the United States may use their Franklin awards at home or abroad. Foreign nationals not affiliated with a U.S. institution must use their Franklin awards for research in the United States.
The deadline to request funding for work to commence in April 2025 or after, is December 2. Applications for the joint APS/Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities Fellowship for Research in Edinburgh are to be submitted to the IASH by February 28, 2025, and will be considered with the December Franklin applications. Applicants to the December 2 deadline may also request to be considered for the American Trust for the British Library $2,500 top-off grant.
The basic program information follows, and we are more than happy to answer any questions. Note that applicants who have previously received a Franklin grant may reapply after an interval of two years (e.g., if you applied in 2023 and received an award to be used in 2024, you may apply again in 2025). If you were granted an award in 2024, we very much appreciate your passing on this information and look forward to receiving a new application from you in the future.
Additional information, including the application forms and instructions, is available at the American Philosophical Society’s website: http://www.amphilsoc.org/grants/franklin as well as by contacting Linda Musumeci, Director of Grants and Fellowships, at LMusumeci@amphilsoc.org or 215-440-3429.
Funding is offered up to a maximum of $6,500. Grants are not retroactive.