Wenner-Gren Foundation

All of our programs contribute to the Foundation’s mission in more than one way, but broadly address these four major goals:

(1) Advance knowledge across anthropology’s many subfields and specializations.

Dissertation Fieldwork Grants (for doctoral students) and Post-PhD Research Grants (for established scholars) support individual research projects.

The Historical Archives Program preserves the anthropological record for future generations of scholars.

Engaged Research Grants support the work of scholars who advance conversations in anthropology through studies designed and carried out in collaboration with Indigenous and underserved communities.

Current Anthropology publishes articles and commentary covering all aspects of anthropological research worldwide.

(2) Amplify the discipline’s impact by giving anthropologists the skills and platforms they need to reach broader audiences and affirm the value of anthropology in a rapidly changing world.

SAPIENS shares anthropological insights with nonacademic audiences, while providing scholars based in academic settings a chance to hone their skills in writing and producing podcasts for a broader public. The SAPIENS Public Scholars Training Fellowship offers intensive instruction to doctoral students and anthropology PhDs of all ranks.

(3) Nurture and safeguard anthropology as a career and a discipline by helping anthropologists demonstrate its value and develop new ways to put their skills and insights to work.

Hunt Postdoctoral Fellowships, Fejos Postdoctoral Fellowships in Ethnographic Film, and Wenner-Gren Fellowships in Anthropology and Black Experiences provide recent doctorates with the support they need to complete articles, books, and films based on their findings.

SAPIENS Public Fellowships allow recent doctorates to gain skills in communicating with nonacademic audiences.

Global Initiatives Grants fund collaborative projects falling outside our regular funding programs that are designed to help the discipline survive and thrive.

(4) Foster inclusive conversations by supporting anthropologists with different backgrounds, perspectives, methods, and commitments.

Wenner-Gren Symposia provide an international forum for scholars to meet and discuss cutting edge developments in the discipline.

Wenner-Gren Seminars bring together accomplished junior and senior anthropologists who are working to change the debate on an emerging research question or theme.

Wenner-Gren Forums showcase diverse viewpoints on the future of anthropology.

Conference and Workshop Grants support international networking at professional meetings of all sizes.

Wadsworth International and Wadsworth African Fellowships enable scholars in places where anthropology is less established to gain doctorates in world-class departments. Wadsworth Institutional Grants enable departments in the Global South to nurture a culture of grant writing for international agencies.

The Foundation has also helped establish major anthropological associations, such as the European Association of Social Anthropology, the Pan-African Anthropological Association, and the World Council of Anthropological Associations.