The application window for TIRF’s 2026 Doctoral Dissertation Grants (DDG) program is now open. The Foundation’s flagship program is designed to provide awards for doctoral students nearing the completion of their studies.

There are two different types of DDGs offered from TIRF and its partners this year. Once again, we will be offering the TIRF-Cambridge DDG (sponsored by Cambridge English, which is part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment) and the TIRF-Duolingo DDG. Cambridge funding will primarily be used to support research in language assessment, and Duolingo funding will be used to assist researchers in EFL contexts. Also, we would like to recognize the continued support of the TOEFL® program at Educational Testing Service for the DDG program.

As a reminder, members from TIRF’s DDG Fellows network offered two mentoring webinars earlier this year to prospective applicants. Recordings of those session are available on TIRF’s website – click here.

DDGs are offered in amounts up to US $5,000 per award. The deadline for receipt of complete proposals is Wednesday, May 13, 2026. For more information, please click here.