About the Scholarship
The Joan Cogswell Donner Field School Scholarship supports students seeking hands-on training in human origins research, including archaeology, paleoanthropology, and primatology. Field schools are essential for developing research skills, but tuition and travel costs can be prohibitive for students from resource-limited countries. This scholarship provides up to $2,000 per student to cover travel, living expenses, and essential fieldwork costs, enabling students to gain international research experience. By supporting students from regions where fossils and primates are found, the scholarship fosters the next generation of researchers contributing to global knowledge of human evolution, migration, and heritage preservation. Applications are open year-round, offering flexible opportunities to participate in qualified field schools worldwide.
Fellowship / Details
- Position Title: Joan Cogswell Donner Field School Scholarship
- Host Institution: Qualified field schools affiliated with universities worldwide
- Administering Body / Funding Agency: The Leakey Foundation
- Location: Field schools worldwide, including Malawi and other fossil-rich regions
- Research Field(s): Human Origins, Archaeology, Paleoanthropology, Primatology, Evolutionary Studies
- Fellowship Type: Scholarship / Field School Funding
- Level: Undergraduate / Graduate / Early-Career Researchers
- Fellowship Duration: One field school season
- Funding/Compensation: Up to $2,000 per student for travel, living, and fieldwork expenses
- Required Degree/Diploma: Enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program
Supported Research Areas:
- Field methods in archaeology and paleoanthropology
- Field methods in primatology
- Human migration and evolution research
Eligibility & Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- Enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs
- Students from countries with limited resources to support field training
- Priority is given to regions where primates and fossils are found
Preferred Qualifications:
- Interest in human origins research
- Commitment to pursue a career in archaeology, paleoanthropology, or primatology
Not Eligible:
- Applications not submitted by field school directors
- Use of funds for salaries, institutional overhead, tuition, or publication costs
Fellowship / Benefits
- Up to $2,000 per student for one field school season
- Coverage of travel, living expenses, and essential research costs
- Hands-on training in field methods
- Interaction with international scholars and participants
Key Responsibilities
- Participate in field school training under qualified supervision
- Gain practical experience in research techniques for human origins
- Collaborate with faculty and international participants
- Contribute to the research outputs of the field school
Application Process
How to Apply:
- Applications must be submitted by the field school director, not the student
- Initial inquiry: grants@leakeyfoundation.org
- Directors must provide a letter detailing:
- Training program for the student
- Student’s suitability, academic background, and future goals
- Tuition costs and budget breakdown
- Other funding sources, if any
Required Documents:
- Director’s letter on official letterhead in PDF
- Program description and student recommendation
- Tuition and expense breakdown
Important Dates
- Application Open: Year-Round
- Deadline: Determined per field school; coordinate with your director
- Award Notification: Aligned with the field school schedule
- Field School Start: As per the respective program
Where to Apply
- Institution Website: The Leakey Foundation
- Official Scholarship Page: Joan Cogswell Donner Field School Scholarship
- Contact for Queries: grants@leakeyfoundation.org
