We anticipate that Methods CAMP for Ph.D. students will resume in Summer 2026.

The US National Science Foundation has a long history—going back to the 1950s—of supporting methods training in cultural anthropology. In the relaunch of NSF’s 30-year summer program, the NSF Cultural Anthropology Methods program (CAMP) provides advanced methods training for Ph.D. students. Together, our 40 distinguished faculty draw on cutting-edge research to update and expand the anthropology methods toolkit. At the same time, we are building a community of practice—inviting all to join—that supports innovation in the teaching of research methods across the discipline.

INVITATION TO APPLICANTS

All anthropology students enrolled in a Ph.D. program in the U.S. are invited to apply to NSF CAMP. Students must be enrolled in a U.S. university, but they are not required to be U.S. citizens. Preference will be given to students who (1) demonstrate that their dissertation will contribute to anthropology, (2) have a clearly stated research question or problem, (3) have a clear need for the methods instruction provided at CAMP. Students may come as novices in anthropological methods or may already have advanced methods skills, but all should be able to explain how participating in NSF CAMP will help them grow as researchers, practitioners, or teachers. There are 20 slots available in the NSF CAMP program each year. Deadline to apply will be February 1st.

TEACHING APPROACH

Teaching approach: Our pedagogical approach was honed over years of teaching methods. A low professor-to-student ratio ensures that we are able to provide high-quality, individualized instruction to students throughout the NSF CAMP. We use a mix of teaching modalities, including hands-on exercises, online lectures (both asynchronous and interactive), student-led presentations, Critical Response Process, and one-on-one instruction. In addition to lectures and hands-on activities, we use small groups to guide students as they apply key lessons to their own research projects. 

Diversity & Inclusion: The rising cohorts of Ph.D. students in anthropology are increasingly diverse, in terms of race, gender, immigration status, age, disabilities, and family responsibilities. To best serve Ph.D.  students’ learning needs, our distinguished faculty is racially-diverse, gender balanced, and represents a range of career stages and anthropology programs nationally. NSF CAMP is accommodating of students’ individual needs, including disabilities and family responsibilities. All are welcome and all are asked to contribute to creating an environment that supports every student.

Program dates & commitment: In 2023, NSF CAMP was held online from May 10th–May26th. Additional meetings occurred on March 24th, April 14th, and May 5th. All CAMP activities were online, but the CAMP 2026 iteration may be a different format. Students can expect to be engaged full-time in learning, research, and mentorship activities during for three weeks, just as they would be at in-person CAMP. Instruction and mentorship will be conducted in synchronous and asynchronous modes. Students should prepare to be available online while CAMP is in session. NSF CAMP is an intensive, immersive learning experience. 

CAMP CURRICULUM

Find the curriculum here.

DAILY SCHEDULE

Here is an example of what a student’s daily schedule will look like at CAMP:

Time	Activity
9:00-10:00	Lecture & discussion on a method
10:00-11:00	Hands-on Activity
11:00-1:00	One-on-one: Research advising
1:00-1:30	Lunch break
1:30-2:30	Breakout 1: Project progress
2:30-3:30	Breakout 2: Solve a research problem
3:30-5:00	Individual assignment: Work on your own

GOALS FOR THE NEW METHODS CAMP

Goal 1: Train Ph.D. students in research methods, research design, and proposal writing

Methods camp provides advanced anthropology research methods training to Ph.D. students in U.S. doctoral programs. Modules include research design, data collection and analysis, and collaboration on complex projects, as well as in decolonizing, Indigenous, and participatory methods. These skills will help students achieve professional success in a competitive employment landscape, both inside and outside the academy.

Goal 2: Create a community of practice for teaching research methods to anthropologists

We are building a community of practice to support innovation in the teaching of research methods cultural anthropology, and to expand the methods toolkit for research in our discipline. Our community will be built through online networking, public events, and collaborative research. This community includes our 40 distinguished faculty. All anthropologists are invited to join and participate.

Goal 3: Produce research-based findings on effective practices for methods teaching

Data on the impact of prior NSF programs show that intensive three-week camps had a significant impact on students’ future career trajectories. An important innovation for this proposal will be the involvement of an external evaluator who will assess the impact of specific teaching techniques. We will share our most impactful teaching practices to shape future graduate training in cultural anthropology.

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