Documenting Endangered Languages | 18 580

Opportunity Information: Apply for 18 580

The Documenting Endangered Languages (DEL) grant opportunity is a joint funding program run by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Its central purpose is to support research and documentation that deepens scholarly knowledge of endangered human languages, with an emphasis on preserving linguistic evidence before it disappears. The program is framed around the urgency that a very large share of the worlds languages are at risk, with the opportunity noting that roughly half of the approximately 7,000 languages currently in use could face extinction. In practical terms, DEL is designed to help researchers and communities capture, organize, and preserve language data in durable digital forms so it remains available for future study, revitalization, and cultural continuity.

A major theme of the opportunity is leveraging modern information technology to strengthen the computational and digital infrastructure needed for endangered language research. That includes not only collecting recordings and texts, but also ensuring that the resulting materials are properly managed, curated, and archived so they can be discovered, accessed, and reused responsibly over time. The program specifically encourages work that improves data management and archiving practices, and it also places value on training and developing the next generation of researchers who will carry this work forward. In other words, DEL is not just about producing documentation products; it is also about building sustainable systems and expertise that make endangered language research more effective and longer-lasting.

DEL funding can support fieldwork and a wide range of activities connected to digitally recording, documenting, and archiving endangered languages. Typical supported outputs include lexicons (such as dictionaries or wordlists with rich metadata), grammatical descriptions, curated text collections and annotated samples, and structured databases that organize linguistic information in reusable ways. Projects may involve gathering audio or video recordings of speech in natural settings, transcribing and translating those recordings, annotating them for linguistic analysis, and preparing materials for long-term deposit in appropriate archives. The focus on digital documentation and archiving signals that proposals should generally plan for how data will be stored, described, and preserved, rather than treated as informal research notes.

The opportunity offers multiple funding mechanisms rather than a single grant format. It supports senior research grants with durations of one to three years, fellowships lasting from six to twelve months, and conference proposals. For conferences, the solicitation highlights a planning expectation: conference proposals should generally be submitted at least a year before the conference date, which reflects the time needed for review, award processing, and event preparation. Applicants interested in conferences are directed to consult the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide, specifically the section referenced for conference proposal preparation and submission requirements.

From the source details, the opportunity is categorized as discretionary and uses a grant funding instrument under the broad activity category of science and technology and other research and development. The issuing agency is NSF, and the opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number 18-580. It lists CFDA numbers 47.050, 47.070, 47.075, and 47.076. The original posting date is August 15, 2018, and the original closing date is November 19, 2018, which is described as the submission deadline for senior research proposals, conferences, and fellowships. The expected number of awards is 30, while the award ceiling is shown as 0, which typically indicates that a fixed maximum amount is not specified in the public summary and may depend on project type, scope, and available program funds. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with further clarification indicated to be available in the full eligibility text of the solicitation.

Overall, DEL is best understood as a targeted program for high-impact language documentation work that combines traditional linguistic and humanities research goals with strong digital stewardship. Successful projects under this program would be expected to produce well-organized documentary records of endangered languages, contribute to better practices in data curation and archiving, and strengthen the research community through training, collaboration, and knowledge sharing, including through conferences when appropriate.

• The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Documenting Endangered Languages" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.050, 47.070, 47.075, 47.076.
• This funding opportunity was created on Aug 15, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 19, 2018 Submission Deadline for Senior Research Proposals, Conferences, and Fellowships Only. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 30 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for 18 580

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