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ScholarshipMerit based

The Leakey Foundation’s Research Grants to doctoral students

The Leakey Foundation

AnthropologyArchaeologyPaleoanthropologyEvolutionary BiologyPrimatologyHuman OriginsEcology

Key Statistics

Grant Amount

Varies by year

Location

Deadline

Varies by year

About this Scholarship

The Leakey Foundation's Research Grants to doctoral students are designed to support advanced academic research in the fields related to human origins, evolution, and primate studies. Established with the mission to increase scientific knowledge of human origins and promote education in related disciplines, the Foundation offers competitive grants to doctoral candidates conducting original research that contributes to these fields. The grants are intended to assist with expenses directly related to research activities, including fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and data collection. These awards are open to students worldwide who are enrolled in accredited doctoral programs and whose research aligns with the Foundation’s focus areas. The Leakey Foundation emphasizes merit-based selection, evaluating proposals on the basis of scientific merit, feasibility, and potential contribution to the field. While the grant amount and application deadlines vary annually, the Foundation maintains a transparent and rigorous review process. Applicants are encouraged to submit detailed research proposals, budgets, and supporting documentation as part of their applications. The Foundation’s support has historically enabled doctoral students to advance their research projects, contributing valuable insights to the academic community and the broader understanding of human evolutionary history.

Eligibility & Overview

Financial Grant

Varies by year

Scholarship Type

Merit based

What's Covered

Research-related expenses including fieldwork costs
Laboratory and analytical expenses
Travel costs associated with research
Equipment and supplies necessary for research

Description

The Leakey Foundation Research Grants to doctoral students are intended to facilitate original research projects that contribute to the understanding of human origins and evolutionary processes. These grants are awarded on a competitive basis to doctoral candidates enrolled in accredited institutions worldwide. The Foundation prioritizes research that is interdisciplinary, scientifically rigorous, and has the potential to advance knowledge in anthropology, archaeology, primatology, evolutionary biology, and related fields. Applicants must submit a comprehensive research proposal detailing the objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and a clear budget outlining how the funds will be used. The Foundation’s review committee assesses proposals based on scientific merit, clarity, feasibility, and the potential impact of the research. Funding amounts vary annually depending on the Foundation’s resources and the scope of the proposed projects. The grants typically cover direct research expenses such as fieldwork costs, laboratory analyses, travel expenses related to data collection, and necessary equipment or supplies. The Leakey Foundation does not provide tuition support or stipends for living expenses. Recipients are required to submit progress reports and final research summaries to the Foundation. The Foundation encourages applicants to seek additional funding sources as the grants may not cover all research costs. The Leakey Foundation has a longstanding history of supporting pioneering research in human evolutionary studies, and its grants have enabled many doctoral students to make significant contributions to their fields. Interested applicants should consult the Foundation’s official website for the most current application guidelines, deadlines, and funding details.

Key Benefits

Provides financial support specifically targeted at research-related expenses, enabling doctoral students to conduct fieldwork and laboratory analyses.

Supports a wide range of disciplines related to human origins, encouraging interdisciplinary research and collaboration.

Offers an internationally recognized grant that can enhance the academic profile of recipients.

Facilitates access to resources that may otherwise be unavailable to doctoral students due to budget constraints.

Financing Information

Funding Structure and Application Process for Leakey Foundation Research Grants

The Leakey Foundation Research Grants operate on an annual cycle, with application deadlines and grant amounts varying each year based on available funding and program priorities. Applicants are required to submit detailed proposals that include a research plan, budget, and supporting materials. The Foundation’s grant committee reviews applications to ensure alignment with the Foundation’s mission and evaluates the scientific merit and feasibility of the proposed research. Approved grants provide funds that cover direct research expenses such as fieldwork, laboratory costs, travel related to data collection, and necessary equipment. It is important to note that these grants do not cover tuition fees or personal living expenses. The Foundation encourages applicants to seek supplementary funding sources to fully support their research projects. Grant recipients are typically required to submit interim progress reports and a final report summarizing their research outcomes. This reporting ensures accountability and allows the Foundation to track the impact of its funding. Because the grant amounts and deadlines vary, applicants should consult the official Leakey Foundation website or contact the Foundation directly for the most current information. The Foundation’s merit-based selection process aims to support high-quality research that advances the understanding of human evolution and related disciplines.

Grant amounts and deadlines vary annually depending on available funding.
Funds are intended exclusively for research-related expenses, not tuition or living costs.

Apply for The Leakey Foundation’s Research Grants to doctoral students

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* Disclaimer: The information provided here is subject to change and may vary by year. Prospective applicants are advised to verify all details, including deadlines, grant amounts, and eligibility criteria, directly with The Leakey Foundation through their official website or contact channels before applying.