Leakey Foundation Grants

The Leakey Foundation was formed to foster research into human origins. The Foundation exclusively funds research related specifically to human origins, including paleoanthropology, genetics, primate behavior, and studies of modern hunter-gatherer groups. Other areas of study are generally not funded.

Award Categories

The Leakey Foundation awards grants in the following categories:

General Research Grants are awarded twice annually and constitute the majority of the Foundation's grant program. The Foundation exclusively funds research related specifically to human origins, including paleoanthropology, genetics, primate behavior, and studies of modern hunter-gatherer groups. The majority of the Foundation's General Research Grants to doctoral student are in the $3,000-$13,500 range; however, larger grants, especially to senior scientists and post-doctoral students, may be funded up to $22,000.

Franklin Mosher Baldwin Memorial Fellowships are intended for scholars and students with citizenship in a developing country who wish to obtain an advanced degree or specialized training in an area of study related to human origins research.

Guidelines, Deadlines, and Notifications

Please read the application procedures for detailed guidelines when filing a grant application. These guidelines also contain information about deadlines for filing applications and our schedule for notification of acceptance.

Instructions are provided in the body of the grants application.