NSF Dynamic Language Infrastructure - NEH Documenting Endangered Languages

The NSF Dynamic Language Infrastructure - NEH Documenting Endangered Languages (DLI-DEL) program represents a joint initiative between the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) aimed at addressing the global crisis of endangered human languages. This funding effort emerges from the recognition that nearly half of the approximately 7,000 languages spoken today are at risk of disappearing. The program supports research and documentation efforts intended to preserve this critical facet of human heritage and to enhance scientific knowledge regarding language structure, use, and diversity. By funding projects that integrate human-language technology and interdisciplinary collaboration, DLI-DEL seeks to advance both scholarly research and community-based language preservation efforts. The DLI-DEL program supports three primary emphasis areas: language description, infrastructure, and computational methods. Language description includes fieldwork to digitally record endangered languages, development of grammars, lexicons, and annotated text samples. Infrastructure projects may involve the digitization and archiving of both newly and previously collected linguistic materials, especially those related to languages that have lost all fluent speakers. Computational methods focus on developing tools and standards that enhance documentation, accessibility, and analysis of language data. A significant focus is placed on creating interoperable digital repositories and advancing computational tools that can operate with limited training data—a particular challenge for endangered languages. Funding is available through senior research and conference grants for one to three years, with individual or collaborative projects eligible for up to $450,000. The estimated program budget is approximately $4.8 million, supporting 20 to 25 awards, subject to funding availability. Cost-sharing is not required, and indirect cost limitations are not applicable. The DLI-DEL program does not support direct language revitalization activities, such as efforts to increase active use of endangered languages in communities. However, it encourages collaborations with speaker communities and supports training native speakers in linguistics and technology relevant to documentation efforts. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based accredited institutions of higher education, nonprofit research and cultural organizations, and tribal entities. Individual investigators, including those from Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP)-eligible institutions, are encouraged to apply, and consortia are permitted. The program allows each PI or co-PI to submit one senior research proposal per cycle but imposes no limits on conference proposals. Proposals must be submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov, following the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Proposals are evaluated based on intellectual merit and broader impacts, with emphasis placed on the urgency of documenting highly endangered languages, the quality of existing documentation, and the significance of the languages in terms of cognitive, cultural, and historical value. Strong proposals include robust data management plans, with clear timelines and commitments to long-term archiving in accredited repositories. Applicants must also submit a statement of consultation with the speech communities involved in their projects, and plans for public accessibility of data. The next available deadlines for senior research and conference proposals are February 15 and September 15 annually. Since the program has passed its most recent deadline (September 15, 2025) and operates on an annual cycle, the next anticipated due date is February 15, 2026. Applicants are advised to plan submissions well in advance, especially for conference proposals, which should be submitted at least one year prior to the scheduled event. For additional information, prospective applicants may contact Program Director Wilson de Lima Silva at [email protected] or (703) 292-7096, or Business Operations Specialist Kenyatta Johnson at [email protected] or (703) 292-4850.

Emphasize detailed archiving strategies and consultation with speaker communities to meet review criteria.