Feldfund

Feldfund is a term used in contemporary discussions of field research funding to describe a model in which fieldwork is financed by resources mobilized directly in the field, rather than through traditional grant laboratories or funding agencies. The word blends Feld (field) and Fund, echoing German-language roots and signaling a bottom-up approach to finance. In practice, Feldfund schemes are typically organized by researchers in collaboration with local communities or study populations who contribute money, equipment, or services to support field activities.

Mechanisms vary but common features include micro-donations from participants and local supporters, in-kind contributions, and transparent budgeting with community oversight. Funds may cover travel, accommodation, field equipment, salaries for local assistants, or data-collection costs. Governance often involves participatory decision-making, public reporting, and defined criteria for how funds are allocated and disbursed.

Potential advantages of Feldfund include reduced reliance on external grant cycles, faster initiation of fieldwork, and stronger community engagement. It can broaden access to small-scale studies and diversify funding sources. Potential drawbacks include risks of donor influence on research questions, unequal power dynamics, and challenges in ensuring methodological independence or long-term sustainability. Successful implementations typically pair Feldfund with formal research protocols and clear ethical guidelines.

Within scholarly discourse, Feldfund is discussed as one of several alternative funding models alongside crowdfunding and community-supported research. It remains a developing concept with limited standardization, and its use tends to be context-dependent, varying by discipline, locale, and the size of the proposed study.