Wenner Gren Foundation, Hunt Postdoctoral Fellowships in US 2025

Hunt Postdoctoral Fellowship in Anthropology

Overview

• The Hunt Postdoctoral Fellowship, offered by the Wenner-Gren Foundation, supports recent PhDs in anthropology and related fields by providing the necessary resources and time to publish their research.
• This program is designed for emerging scholars whose work has the potential to transform the field of anthropology.
• Recipients of this fellowship are given the opportunity to devote themselves to writing and advancing their scholarly projects, such as monographs, journal articles, book chapters, or other related publications.

Eligibility

Who Can Apply:

• Applicants must hold a PhD in Anthropology or a related field.
  Independent scholars are welcome to apply.
• Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, eligibility has been extended to up to 12 years post-PhD (instead of the usual 10 years), with allowances for caregiving periods.
• Preference is given to applicants who are untenured or do not have a permanent academic position.
• Scholars of any nationality or institutional affiliation are eligible to apply.
• Applicants must have completed the research forming the basis of their writing project before applying.

Additional Conditions:

• Recipients must be prepared to devote themselves full-time to the fellowship.
• Projects that require less than the full 9 months may receive prorated stipends.

Award and Value

• Stipend: Up to $40,000 for a 9-month writing period.
• Duration: Fellows can request support for less than the full 9 months, and stipends will be adjusted accordingly.
• Funds: The fellowship does not cover institutional overhead or administration-related fees.

Application Process

• Deadline: Applications must be submitted by May 1 for fellowships beginning between January 1 and December 31 of the following year.
• Application Portal: Opens two months before the deadline.
• Review Process: The review process takes approximately 6 months, with decisions announced after this period.
• Number of Fellowships: The Foundation awards a maximum of 20 Hunt Postdoctoral Fellowships annually.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on the following factors:

• Project Quality: The quality and clarity of the proposed writing project.

Contributions to Anthropology:

• How the project will advance anthropological knowledge and contribute to ongoing debates.
• Realistic Goals: The applicant’s ability to set feasible writing goals within the given timeframe.
• Clear Vision: Applicants should have a clear vision for their project, supported by detailed outlines or synopses.
• Successful proposals typically feature:
• A well-defined focus.
• A convincing explanation of how the research supports the writing project.
• A compelling description of how the project will transform anthropological knowledge.
• Evidence of progress on the project, demonstrating readiness to complete the work.

Special Considerations

• Research in primatology or primate conservation must demonstrate broader anthropological relevance.
• Research on endangered languages or language structure is supported only when grounded in anthropological concerns.
• This fellowship presents an excellent opportunity for emerging scholars to focus on and refine their writing, potentially making a significant impact in the field of anthropology.