APS Franklin Research Grant 2027: Up to $7,000 for Research
Researchers and independent scholars looking for funding to support archival research, fieldwork, laboratory work, or access to research collections can apply for the APS Franklin Research Grant 2027.
- FundingUp to $7,000 in research funding
- DurationProject-specific; funded work for the December 2026 round is…
- Who can applyOpen to U.S. citizens and residents globally, foreign nationals…
- Application feeFree
Overview
The December 2026 application round is open, with a deadline of December 1, 2026. Applicants must submit their application along with two letters of support by the same deadline.
The grant is particularly relevant to researchers who need financial assistance for research travel, archival materials, fieldwork, or laboratory expenses. International applicants may also be eligible, subject to specific research-location requirements.
The Franklin Research Grant is an annual funding programme offered by the American Philosophical Society, a learned society founded in 1743.
The programme supports noncommercial scholarly research in different areas of knowledge. Its main purpose is to help researchers meet specific research-related expenses that may otherwise prevent them from completing important academic work.
The grant is particularly intended for projects requiring access to libraries, archives, museums, research collections, field sites, or laboratory facilities.
Unlike a conventional scholarship, this is not funding for a university degree or general living expenses. It is a project-based research grant awarded to individual applicants.
At a glance
About
- Opportunity type
- Research Grant
- Host institution
- American Philosophical Society (APS)
- Location
- United States and eligible international research locations
- Duration
- Project-specific; funded work for the December 2026 round is expected to begin from April 2027
- Mode
- Research grant; project location depends on applicant eligibility
- Event
- Date
- Expected decision notification
- March 2027
- Expected beginning of funded work
- April 2027
- Funded work period
- April 2027 to January 2028
Funding
- Application fee
- Free
- Stipend / salary / financial support
- Up to $7,000 in research funding
Eligibility
- Age limit
- Not specified by the official source
- Nationality
- Open to U.S. citizens and residents globally, foreign nationals affiliated with U.S. institutions, and foreign nationals conducting research specifically in the United States.
- Minimum degree required
- Doctorate or published work of doctoral character and quality
- Work experience
- No specific minimum years stated
Who can apply
The programme is intended for established researchers, independent scholars, faculty members, and academics with suitable research credentials.
Applicants are expected to meet one of the following academic requirements:
- Hold a doctorate.
- Have published work of doctoral character and quality.
PhD candidates are not eligible to apply. The APS particularly encourages applications from young scholars who have recently completed their doctorates.
Independent scholars and faculty members at both four-year and two-year institutions may apply, provided they satisfy the programme requirements.
Nationality and Research Location
International applicants can apply, but their nationality and institutional affiliation affect where they may conduct the funded research.
- US citizens and residents: May use the grant for research in the United States or abroad.
- American citizens living abroad: May apply for research projects anywhere in the world.
- Foreign nationals affiliated with a US institution: May apply for research projects anywhere in the world.
- Foreign nationals without US institutional affiliation: Must use the grant for research conducted in the United States.
Therefore, applicants from India and other countries are not automatically excluded. However, Indian applicants without affiliation to a US institution must propose a research project that will be carried out in the United States.
Minimum Degree Required
Applicants are expected to hold a doctorate or demonstrate published work of doctoral character and quality.
Applicants who are waiting for their PhD to be formally conferred may qualify under the exception described in the official FAQs.
Age Limit
The official programme guidelines do not specify an age limit.
Work Experience
No minimum number of professional or research experience years is specified. Applicants must demonstrate the academic credentials and research capability required for their proposed project.
Applicants should prepare the following information and materials:
- Online application form.
- Research project description explaining the proposed work.
- Project bibliography.
- Details of publications relevant to the proposed research.
- Information about other publications, where requested.
- Relevant language skills, where applicable.
- Additional information supporting the project, if required.
- A detailed explanation of the requested research budget.
- Two letters of support addressing the proposed research project.
The APS provides specific character limits for different application sections. Applicants should review the official guidelines and sample application before preparing their submission.
Important: Both letters of support must be received by the December 1 deadline. They are not accepted as a separate post-deadline submission.
How to apply
Follow these steps to submit your application:
Step 1: Review the official guidelines
Visit the American Philosophical Society’s Franklin Research Grants page and read the eligibility requirements, funding restrictions, and application instructions.
Step 2: Prepare your research proposal
Develop a clear project description explaining the research question, methodology, objectives, and why the proposed research is necessary.
Step 3: Prepare your budget
Explain how the requested funding will be used. The budget should focus on eligible research expenses such as travel, archival materials, fieldwork, or laboratory costs.
Step 4: Arrange two letters of support
Enter the contact details of your two referees in the application portal. They will receive instructions for submitting their letters.
Make sure both letters are submitted before the application deadline.
Step 5: Submit the application
Complete the online application and submit all required information through the official APS application portal.
Step 6: Track your application
Check the status of your application and the receipt of both support letters through the application portal.
What Does the Franklin Research Grant Cover?
Successful applicants may receive funding of up to $7,000, depending on the proposed project and the committee’s assessment.
Eligible research expenses may include:
- Travel to libraries and archives for research.
- Purchase of microfilm, photocopies, and equivalent research materials.
- Expenses associated with fieldwork.
- Laboratory research expenses.
- Other eligible direct research costs related to the proposed project.
The funding is not intended to cover every expense associated with an academic career or research project.
The APS does not fund:
- Conference attendance.
- Publication costs.
- Institutional overhead or indirect costs.
- Salary replacement during leave or summer teaching.
- General living expenses while working from home.
- Consultants or research assistants.
- Permanent equipment such as computers, cameras, or laboratory apparatus.
- Income tax payable on the grant.
Franklin grants are taxable income. Applicants who receive an award should consult a tax professional about their reporting obligations.
Application Fee and Additional Costs
The official APS Franklin Research Grants page does not clearly state whether an application fee is charged.
Therefore, applicants should confirm the fee directly with the American Philosophical Society before submitting. Do not assume that the application is free.
Other financial considerations include:
- The grant is taxable income.
- The grant cannot be used to pay income tax.
- Institutional overhead and indirect costs are not covered.
- Expenses outside the approved research scope may not be funded.
Applicants should prepare a realistic project budget and understand which expenses the grant can support before applying.
Official Links
- Official Programme Information: https://www.amphilsoc.org/grants/franklin-research-grants
- Direct Application Portal: https://aps.onlineapplicationportal.com/
- Official Sample Application: Available through the APS programme page.
For questions about eligibility, research expenses, or application requirements, contact the APS Director of Grants and Fellowships through the contact information provided on the official programme page.
Frequently asked questions
1. Is the APS Franklin Research Grant 2027 currently open?
Yes. The December 2026 application round is open, and the deadline is December 1, 2026.
2. Can Indian applicants apply?
Yes, Indian applicants may be eligible. However, Indian nationals without affiliation to a US institution must conduct their proposed research in the United States.
3. How much funding does the grant provide?
The programme offers research grants of up to $7,000. The amount awarded depends on the proposed project and the committee’s decision.
4. Can current PhD students apply?
No. PhD candidates are not eligible. Applicants are expected to hold a doctorate or have published work of doctoral character and quality.
5. Is the grant available for all academic disciplines?
The programme supports noncommercial scholarly research across a broad range of academic disciplines. Applicants should ensure that their proposed work fits the programme’s research objectives.
6. Does the grant cover living expenses?
It is not intended to cover general living expenses while working from home. Funding is directed towards eligible research-related expenses.
7. Is there an application fee?
The official programme page does not specify an application fee. Applicants should confirm this directly with APS.
8. When will the results be announced?
Applicants submitting by December 1, 2026, can expect a decision in March 2027.
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