The program provides financial support to NGOs, universities, and accredited research institutes that work with local communities and researchers to help preserve linguistic diversity. ELDP aims to create audiovisual datasets that reflect the use of endangered languages and their socio-cultural practices, and to archive these materials with open access.
Four different grant options
The program offers four types of grants to address different needs:
- Rapid Grants: Provided for assessing field conditions, establishing relations with local communities, and conducting feasibility studies. These grants offer a maximum support of 5,000 Euros for up to 6 months. Applications are open year-round; the evaluation process is expected to take about two months.
- Small Grants: Offered for short-term and limited-scope language recording and documentation efforts. Projects can last up to a maximum of 12 months.
- Legacy Materials Grants: Given for the digitization and archiving of previously recorded analog audio, video, and text materials related to endangered languages. The maximum project duration is 12 months.
- Large Documentation Projects: Designed for comprehensive and long-term documentation and archiving efforts. Projects can be carried out in work packages of 6 to 18 months and can last up to a total of three years.
Who can apply?
ELDP grants are not given directly to individuals. Researchers and project teams must apply through a host institution capable of managing the grant both legally and financially.
Non-profit NGOs, associations, foundations, universities, and accredited research institutes can act as host institutions. Government agencies, however, cannot apply in this capacity.
The program supports project team and technical staff salaries, payments to local consultants who are native speakers, equipment acquisition, and travel and per diem expenses for fieldwork. General administrative costs of institutions, vehicle purchases, conference participation fees, and academic publication costs are not included within the scope of support.
The application deadline for all grant types except Rapid Grants is October 1, 2026. The final date for uploading host institution approvals and reference letters is October 15, 2026.
Applications must be submitted in English via ELDP’s online application system. For detailed information and application guides, you can visit ELDP’s website.