The American Philosophical Society is the oldest learned society in the United States. Founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1743, it continues its mission of "promoting useful knowledge" through research, fellowships, and public outreach.

Since 1933, the American Philosophical Society has awarded small grants to scholars in order to support the cost of research leading to publication in any area of knowledge. In 2016–17 the Franklin Research Grants program awarded $470,000 to eighty-nine scholars, and the society expects to make a similar number of awards in this year's competition.

Through the competition, grants of up to $6,000 will be awarded to help meet the costs of travel to libraries and archives for research purposes; the purchase of microfilm, photocopies, or equivalent research materials; costs associated with fieldwork; or laboratory research expenses.

Franklin grants are made for noncommercial research and are not intended to meet the expenses of attending conferences or the costs of publication. The society does not pay overhead or indirect costs to any institution, and grant funds are not to be used to pay income tax on the award. Grants will not be made to replace salary during a leave of absence or earnings from summer teaching; pay living expenses while working at home; cover the costs of consultants or research assistants; or purchase permanent equipment such as computers, cameras, tape recorders, or laboratory apparatus.

Applicants are expected to have a doctorate or to have published work of doctoral character and quality. PhD candidates are not eligible to apply, but the society is interested in supporting the work of young scholars who have recently received the doctorate. Independent scholars and faculty members at all four- and two-year research and non-research institutions are welcome to apply provided that all eligibility guidelines are met. American citizens and residents of the United States may use their Franklin awards at home or abroad. Foreign nationals not affiliated with a U.S. institution must use their Franklin awards for research in the United States. Applicants who have previously received a Franklin grant may reapply after an interval of two years.

Deadline: December 1, 2017

Complete program guidelines, an FAQ, and application instructions.