Request for Proposals to Endangered Languages Program

Endangered Languages Program (ELP) aims to support the preservation and restoration of Native languages and the Earth-honoring worldview at their core. Small, effective teaching programs languages that are endangered in North/Central America and Siberia will be given priority. One of the overarching goals of this grant program is to help revive indigenous traditions, ways of life, and continuity in knowledge transmission through preservation of the language. ELP will look for a few, approximately 10, good-quality projects with low overhead for which we can make a difference with our funding. Some of these projects may already be established, but some may not. We are soliciting proposals both from established projects and from new initiatives. The projects will be chosen primarily according to the level of urgency to protect the language and the likely effectiveness of the proposed projects.

ELP was initiated in 2008 under the umbrella of Sacred Earth Network, but since then has moved under the umbrella of EarthAction Network (EAN), 501(c).

Eligible Requests

Grant requests range from roughly $500 to a maximum of $3000. ELP supports projects working towards preserving and teaching endangered Native languages. We will accept proposals both from individuals and from non-profit organizations working directly on the program (not to "pass-through" organizations).

Grant Application Process

Please send us a 1-3 page description of the program in either English or Russian with a proposed detailed budget. If this is an ongoing project, please include summary of the previous activities and project’s history. The deadline for proposal submission is May 16, 2011, and we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. We will contact you if we have questions or require additional information. We will acknowledge your application within two weeks of its receipt. If we are interested in funding your proposal, we will contact you within 6-8 weeks. The submissions and inquiries should be sent to the ELP coordinator Mariyam Medovaya, mariyamsacredearth@gmail.com.

Please address the following questions in your proposal:

• Which language are you targeting in your project?
• Please provide some information about the language:

o      the estimated number of people who speak it at present

o      the geographic area over which the language is spoken now and historically

o      the significance of preserving this language

• Please provide project’s description
• How would an ELP grant help preserve this language?
• What are the specific activities that you are proposing?
• Please provide approximate but detailed budget for the project
• Who are the key staff members?
• Who are the target population?
• What is your experience in conducting similar programs if any?
• How did you find out about Endangered Languages Program?
• Have you worked with ELP before?
• Please provide your detailed contact information

Contact Information
Mariyam Medovaya, ELP coordinator

EarthAction Network, Amherst, MA

Email: mariyamsacredearth@gmail.com
Website: www.earthaction.org/endangered-languages-program.html