Firebird Supplemental Research Grant

Research Grants for the Documentation
of Oral Literature and Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Awards up to $10,000

The unique oral literatures of indigenous peoples are rapidly being lost through the death of the traditional practitioners and through the schooling of the next generation. The Program for Oral Literature of the Firebird Foundation has initiated a project to fund the collection of this body of rapidly disappearing literature.

This literature may consist of ritual texts, curative chants, epic poems, musical genres, folk tales, songs, myths, legends, historical accounts, life history narratives, word games, and so on.

Firebird Supplemental Research Grants will provide funds of up to $10,000 to applicants for purchasing recording equipment and covering the expenses of collecting this material. This grant is designed to supplement other funding sources and help researchers prioritize community-based collection and preservation. Applicants are encouraged, where possible, to foster the development of local teams of collectors to continue the work of recording these materials. Transcriptions of the recordings are encouraged.

A final report, including a list of expenses incurred, is required in accordance with the grant’s terms. Copies of the recordings, transcriptions, and related documents may also be deposited in the Firebird Foundation Archives.

Applicants should provide the primary researcher’s name, project title, research team members, and a clear description of the fieldwork location. Affiliation with a university, institution, or community organization may be included, but funds are intended for direct research costs only. Applicants must also provide expected start and end dates, along with the anticipated final report submission date. Ten percent of the grant will be held until the final report and financial statement are received.

A project narrative of three to five pages should describe the significance of the work, research methods, the urgency of the project, and the applicant’s relationship with the community. Letters of reference from academic advisors, community elders, or other respected individuals are encouraged. Applicants should also submit a CV or resume, a detailed timeline of research activities, and a specific budget showing how the grant funds will be used.

Applications may be submitted by email (.doc or .pdf) or by mail. All applications must be in English. Deadlines are January 15 and June 15. Decisions are typically made within three months of the submission date.

Successful proposals often include plans to live in the community for nine to twelve months, fluency in or collaboration with someone who speaks the local language, training of community members, collection of multiple versions of major texts, and ethical handling of sensitive materials. Original recordings and copies of research materials should remain in the community whenever possible. The grant supports the direct costs of research and does not cover tuition, conference travel, or institutional overhead.

Ethical responsibility is central to this work. Researchers must protect participants, safeguard recordings, and carefully consider what materials should be shared publicly. Open access can be valuable, but in some contexts, sharing materials without consultation can cause harm. Applicants are expected to work closely with communities to ensure culturally and personally sensitive materials are handled appropriately.

Download Application Requirements and Process (PDF)

Email Application Materials and Cover Page to Firebird Foundation for Anthropological Research: firebird@firebirdfoundation.org