As a non-profit organization, one of our goals is to promote equity and accessibility in field school education by using economies of scale and focusing intensive effort in funding scholarships. In the past, we have offered upwards of 11 IFR funded scholarships. These scholarships covered the tuition costs of attending a program and were generously funded by donations from our Board of Governors and Academic Board.
The pandemic forced the IFR to change course dramatically, and we are currently assessing if we may offer scholarships this year. For the time being, we are directing students to scholarship opportunities outside of our organization, many of which students may find linked at the end of this webpage. IFR is proud to be able to offer undergraduate students at California State University Los Angeles (CSULA) the opportunity to apply to the Vera Campbell Promise Scholarship, which is now accepting applications (see below).
Despite these uncertain times, IFR is moving towards a future in which we will continue our work of breaking down barriers for students to access field research opportunities through funding and mentorship.
We understand that field school tuition can be a significant expense for students. To help, the IFR offers many scholarships. Last year, we awarded over $100,000 to students to attend our field schools. In addition, we have aggregated links and short descriptions of grants and scholarships available to students from external organizations. To be considered for an IFR scholarship, you must have first completed and submitted your field school application and have been admitted to an IFR field school before the scholarship deadline. Previous IFR scholarship winners cannot apply for the same scholarship they were awarded but are eligible for consideration for all other IFR scholarships.
Vera Campbell Promise Scholarship
The Vera R. Campbell Promise Scholarship is dedicated to the support of California State University Los Angeles (CSULA) undergraduate students. CSULA attracts students from local neighborhoods, many coming from economically challenged backgrounds and many the first in their families to attend university. Most have never traveled outside California, let alone the US. This scholarship provides significant funding for selected CSULA students to participate in IFR field schools around the world and across disciplines. This scholarship provides the following benefits:
- Direct financial support of up to $4,500 to offset the cost of attending an IFR field school.
- Two one-on-one personalized mentorship sessions (via video conferencing) with an IFR Academic Board member prior to the field program so that you gain insight from an expert archaeologist about getting the most from this field school.
- Access to online asynchronous materials to help you get ready to go and succeed in your field experience, the new location, and as a member of a group working to discover the past.
- Post field school mentorship sessions to help you leverage this field school experience for work careers, both inside and outside academia.
All scholarship awardees will be supported and mentored in preparing a short (10-15 minute) presentation about the field experience to a group of business leaders in Los Angeles. The goal is to provide students with the ability to reflect, articulate and present their field experience, to get feedback from leaders in a range of businesses, and to start forming relationships and networking with these prominent individuals.
Awardees of each annual scholarship cycle will be given the opportunity to serve as mentors for students who will come after them in future years. Our goal is to create a broad system of support for all awardees that will leverage financial, intellectual, academic and community gains to support and advance your long-term life and careers goals.
Important considerations:
- These scholarships are valid only for IFR field programs. Students may apply for this scholarship prior to submitting an application to an IFR field school and being admitted to a program. If a student is awarded a scholarship, in order to receive the award, the student must submit an application for an IFR field school and be admitted to a program.
- Scholarship awardees are not guaranteed participation in the IFR program of their choice. Placement in an IFR field school is first-come, first-served and programs are filling up quickly for summer 2021. Students are highly encouraged to apply to a field school well before the April 5, 2021 deadline for this scholarship.
- Students may apply and be admitted to more than one IFR field school.
- Students may apply to all other IFR scholarships. Applying to this scholarship does not prevent students from applying to any other IFR scholarship.
- Late or incomplete applications by the designated deadline will not be accepted or considered. No exceptions.
Applicants must:
- complete Vera Campbell Promise Scholarship application online and answer all essay questions.
- provide the contact information of one recommender, preferably a faculty member at a university or community college, who will write a recommendation letter for them through the online scholarship application. Another mentor who knows the capabilities and resilience of the applicant may supply a letter if no faculty member is able to write one. Recommendations need to be submitted on or before the April 5, 2021 deadline.
- upload an unofficial copy of transcripts showing GPA.
- submit scholarship application on or before the April 5, 2021 deadline at 11:59 PM (PST).
- submit an application for an IFR field school and be admitted to a program in order to receive the scholarship.
- schedule and participate in two mentorship sessions with an IFR Academic Board member.
- review and complete all asynchronous materials online and submit a statement of completion via Google Forms.
- schedule and participate in the post field school mentorship session.
- prepare and publicly present a 10-15 minute presentation about their field school experience and its impact to a group of business leaders in Los Angeles.
Each Vera Campbell Promise Scholarship awardee will receive up to $4,500 to help cover the cost of an IFR field school and travel expenses. This scholarship may not be applied to any field school outside those offered by the IFR. If the program tuition is under $4,500, the remaining balance will have a cash value that may be credited towards travel expenses. To receive and to retain any funds awarded, awardees must participate in and complete the entire field school program and all scholarship requirements.
To be eligible for this scholarship, you must:
- be an undergraduate student at California State University Los Angeles (CSULA) in good standing.* Students of any nationality or major at CSULA may apply.
- have a minimum GPA of 2.7.
- be at least 18 years old by the first day of the field school program.
*Individuals who were eligible and applied for the Vera Campbell Promise Scholarship in 2020 and have recently graduated are also eligible to apply this year for the scholarship.
Deadline extended to April 5, 2021 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Standard Time).
IFR SAA Meeting Travel Scholarship for Undergraduates
The IFR believes in immersion experiences and the power of mentorship to change the lives of aspiring scholars. To that end, we are putting forward a Travel Scholarship to support undergraduate student attendance at the 2020 Society for American Archaeology (SAA) Annual Meeting. This award may cover costs of airfare, room and board, and fees associated with attending the SAA Annual Meeting. Scholarships may be up to $1,000 each. This scholarship is open to all students, regardless of citizenship, school or major or prior attendance in an IFR field school.
- Apply through the SAA website
- Provide a budget for attending the SAA Annual Meeting.
- Unofficial copy of your transcripts showing your Grade Point Average (GPA).
- One Letter of Recommendation.
- Submit application on time. Incomplete applications or applications submitted past the designated deadline will not be accepted or considered. No exceptions.
- Must be a fully enrolled undergraduate student in an institution of higher education.
- Must be at least 18 years old at the day the SAA Annual Meeting begins.
- Must commit to attending at least two full days of the 2018 SAA Annual Meeting.
- There is no nationality restriction. Any student may apply.
- Your major does not need to be in archaeology or related disciplines. Students from any major are welcome to apply.
- Name & email address of one faculty member who will send a recommendation letter on your behalf.
- Students may apply to all other IFR scholarships. Applying to this scholarship does not prevent you from applying to any other IFR award.
- Applicants are not required to have participated in an IFR field school.
- Complete application online.
Deadline: February 1, 2020
China: Yangguanzhai Field School Scholarship
Our anonymous donors believe that there is much for the world to learn from China’s deep and rich cultural heritage. These donors provided generous support for two $1,000 scholarships to support students attending the China-Yangguanzhai field school. Any student – regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, nationality or sexual orientation – who was admitted to this field school may apply.
This scholarship will be used to help pay tuition costs for this program. It has no cash value and may not be used to fund any other field school, within or outside the IFR.
- Open to students attending the China-Yangguanzhai field school.
- Unofficial copy of your transcripts showing your GPA.
- One recommendation letter requested through the online application process. Please upload name and email address of the person who will send a letter of recommendation on your behalf.
- Unofficial copy of your transcripts showing your current Grade Point Average (GPA).
- Complete application essay questions.
- Submit all materials on time and online. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. No exceptions.
Each Scholarship covers $1,000 off the tuition cost for the China-Yangguanzhai field school. This scholarship has no cash value. This scholarship may not be applied to any other field school, within or outside those offered by the IFR.
- Any student accepted to the China-YGZ field school.
- Must be 18 years old or older by the day the field school begins.
- Minimum GPA 2.9 (equivalent to 78% grade average).
- Current student or graduated from an institution of higher education (community college, university, etc.) anywhere in the world within the past five years.
- There is no nationality restriction. Any student may apply.
- Your major does not need to be in archaeology or related subject. Students from any major are encouraged to apply.
Deadline: February 28th, 2020, at 5:00pm (Pacific Standard Time).
Indigenous Student Scholarship for Puebloan Rebels Field School
The Puebloan Rebels of the Southwest field school project director and staff recognize that while opportunities to participate in field schools may abound, the costs are often prohibitive. Field research opportunities are transformative experiences that should be open to as many as possible. To that end, the project has created an anonymously funded small donor scholarship available annually to one Indigenous student who will participate in the field school.
- Open to anyone 18 or older from an Indigenous background who has applied and been admitted to the Puebloan Rebels of the Southwest field school.
- Provide the name and email address for one individual who will send a recommendation letter on your behalf. The recommendation letter must be submitted by the field school application deadline.
- Complete application essay questions.
- Late applications (received after the February 28, 2020 deadline) will not be accepted or considered.
This scholarship covers 100% of the tuition for attending the Puebloan Rebels of the Southwest field school ($4,500 in 2020). This scholarship may not be applied to any other field school, within or outside those offered by the IFR.
- Indigenous student accepted to the Puebloan Rebels of the Southwest field school
- Must be 18 years old or older by the first day of the field school.
- No nationality restriction.
- Do not need to be a student to be eligible.
Deadline: February 28th, 2020, at 5:00pm (Pacific Standard Time).
IFR Military Veteran Scholarship
The Institute for Field Research recognizes the service of military veterans and greatly appreciates your commitment to education. Field schools are physically demanding and intellectually challenging and are usually conducted in remote locations – conditions that establish experienced veterans as ideal participants with great potential to contribute and lead. This scholarship provides funding for a number of military veterans with up to $3,000 per scholarship. This scholarship has no cash value and will be awarded as field school tuition reduction only.This scholarship is open to students attending IFR programs only. This scholarship may not be used for a non-IFR field school.
- Open to any veteran who served in the US military.
- Open for veterans attending IFR field schools only. This scholarship may not be used for none IFR programs.
- Complete an application and be admitted to any IFR field school (deposit fee is not required for eligibility for this scholarship).
- Provide name and email address of one person who will write a recommendation letter on your behalf.
- Unofficial copy of transcripts showing your GPA.
- A copy of your DD 214 form, showing honorable discharged.
- Complete application essay questions.
- Late or incomplete applications by the designated deadline will not be accepted or considered. No exceptions.
Each Military Veteran Scholarship will provide up to $3,000 to fund tuition for an IFR field school. This scholarship has no cash value. This scholarship may not be applied to any field school outside those offered by the IFR.
- US military veterans of any branch (Navy, Airforce, Marines Corps, Army, Coast Guard, National Guard) with honorable discharge.
- Reserve military personal are not eligible unless veteran has been activated for 6 months or more in the past 10 years.
- Applicant must be enrolled as a full time student at an institution of higher education.
- Applicant must apply, and be admitted, to one of the IFR field schools.
- Must be 18 years old or older at the day the field school begins.
- Minimum GPA 2.5 (equivalent to 75% grade average).
- Students from any major are encouraged to apply.
- Unofficial copy of your transcripts showing your current GPA/grade average.
- Name & email of one person who will write a recommendation letter on your behalf.
- Complete application online.
- There is no nationality restriction. Any US military vet may apply.
- Students may apply to other IFR scholarships. Applying to this scholarship does not prevent you from applying to any other IFR award.
Deadline: February 28, 2020, at 5:00pm (Pacific Standard Time).
IFR Possibility Scholarship
Beginning in 2020, the IFR has combined our Need, Merit, and Opportunity scholarships into a single scholarship: the Possibility Scholarship. Our goal is to support students with demonstrated financial need who also exhibit excellence in academics. Students can leverage an intensive field school to advance their careers – within or outside academia – and become leaders in their field of interest. We believe that training in evidence-based science, primary data collection, and the transformative rigors of field life will produce global citizens, leaders, and decision makers that will benefit us all.
The Possibility Scholarship awards up to $3,500. This scholarship has no cash value and will be awarded as field school tuition reduction only. This scholarship is open to students attending IFR programs only. This scholarship may not be used for a non-IFR field school.
- Must be admitted to an IFR field school. Please go to org, apply to a field school and get admitted.
- Complete the online application (no need to pay the deposit fee for a field school to be eligible for this scholarship).
- Provide the name and email address of one individual who will send a recommendation letter on your behalf. The recommendation letter and all supporting documents must be submitted by the application deadline.
- Upload unofficial copy of your transcripts showing your Grade Average Point (GPA).
- Upload your FAFSA from this or last year. If you are not a US citizen or have been out of school for more then one year, upload your recent tax returns (US citizens – submit your 1040/1040EZ form; All applicants – please redact your Social Security or ID number) or submit a letter describing why you do not have such documents and how you can document otherwise your financial need.
- Complete application essay questions.
- Late or incomplete applications by the designated deadline will not be accepted or considered. No exceptions.
The Possibility Scholarship awards up to $3,500. The scholarship sum will be deducted from the cost of your IFR field school. This scholarship has no cash value. This scholarship may not be used for any field school outside those offered by the IFR.
- Any student who was admitted to an IFR field school (students do no need to pay the deposit fee to be eligible, just be admitted to a program).
- Must be 18 years old or older on the day the field school begins.
- Minimum GPA 3.0 (equivalent to 80% grade average).
- Current student or graduated in the past five years from any institution of higher education (community college, university, etc.) anywhere in the world.
- Complete application online.
- There is no nationality restriction. Any student may apply.
- Students from any major are encouraged to apply.
- Students may apply to all other IFR scholarships. Applying to this scholarship does not prevent you from applying to any other IFR scholarship.
Deadline: February 28, 2020, at 5:00pm (Pacific Standard Time).
Ireland: Birr (Full Session) Scholarship
The Ireland-Birr program is designed to introduce students to the relationships between humans and their environment, with special emphasis on geology. Two $300 scholarships be awarded to students attending the full program (4 weeks). This scholarship has no cash value and will be awarded as a reduction in field school tuition only.
This scholarship is open to students attending the IFR Ireland:Birr (full) program only. This scholarship may not be used for a non-IFR field school.
- Must apply and be admitted to the Ireland-Birr (Full) Archaeology program (no deposit fee is required to be able to apply for this scholarship).
- One recommendation letter requested through the online application process. Please upload name and email address of the person who will send a letter of recommendation on your behalf.
- Unofficial copy of transcripts showing your current Grade Point Average (GPA).
- Complete application essay questions.
- Submit all materials on time and online. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. No exceptions.
Two $300 scholarships be awarded to students attending the full program (4 weeks). The scholarship sum will be deducted from the cost of the Ireland-Birr program. This scholarship has no cash value. This scholarship may not be applied to any other field school, within or outside those offered by the IFR.
- Any student who has been admitted to the Ireland-Birr(Full) program.
- Must be 18 years old or older at the day the field school begins.
- Minimum GPA 2.5 (equivalent to 70% grade average).
- Current matriculating student at any level (undergraduate or graduate), or an individual who graduated in the past five years from an institution of higher education (community college, university, etc.) anywhere in the world.
- There is no nationality restriction. Any student may apply.
- Your major does not need to be in archaeology, geography or related subjects. Students from any major are encouraged to apply.
Deadline: March 13th, 2020, at 5:00pm (Pacific Standard Time).
Ireland: Birr (Short Session) Scholarship
The Ireland-Birr program is designed to introduce students to the relationships between humans and their environment, with special emphasis on geology. Two $200 Scholarships will be awarded to students attending the Ireland Birr short program (2 weeks). This scholarship has no cash value and will be awarded as a reduction in field school tuition only.
This scholarship is open to students attending the IFR Ireland:Birr (full) program only. This scholarship may not be used for a non-IFR field school.
- Must apply and be admitted to the Ireland-Birr Archaeology (Short) program (no deposit fee is required to be able to apply for this scholarship).
- One recommendation letter requested through the online application process. Please upload name and email address of the person who will send a letter of recommendation on your behalf.
- Unofficial copy of transcripts showing your current Grade Point Average (GPA).
- Complete application essay questions.
- Submit all materials on time and online. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. No exceptions.
Two $200 Scholarships will be awarded to students attending the Ireland Birr short program (2 weeks) . The scholarship sum will be deducted from the cost of the Ireland-Birr program. This scholarship has no cash value. This scholarship may not be applied to any other field school, within or outside those offered by the IFR.
- Any student who has been admitted to the Ireland-Birr (Short) program.
- Must be 18 years old or older at the day the field school begins.
- Minimum GPA 2.5 (equivalent to 70% grade average).
- Current matriculating student at any level (undergraduate or graduate), or an individual who graduated in the past five years from an institution of higher education (community college, university, etc.) anywhere in the world.
- There is no nationality restriction. Any student may apply.
- Your major does not need to be in archaeology, geography or related subjects. Students from any major are encouraged to apply.
Ireland: Experimental Archaeology (Summer 2020) Scholarship
The Ireland-Experimental Archaeology Summer program is designed to introduce students to the role of crafts, technologies and construction techniques in Ireland during Medieval time. Two $250 Scholarships will be awarded to students attending the Experimental Archaeology program in Summer 2021. This scholarship has no cash value and will be awarded as a reduction in field school tuition only.
This scholarship is open to students attending the IFR Ireland:Experimental Archaeology (Summer) program only. This scholarship may not be used for a non-IFR field school.
- Must apply and be admitted to the Ireland-Experimental Archaeology program (no deposit fee is required to be able to apply for this scholarship).
- One recommendation letter requested through the online application process. Please upload name and email address of the person who will send a letter of recommendation on your behalf.
- Unofficial copy of transcripts showing your current Grade Point Average (GPA).
- Complete application essay questions.
- Submit all materials on time and online. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. No exceptions.
Two $250 Scholarships will be awarded to students attending the Experimental Archaeology Summer program. The scholarship sum will be deducted from the cost of the Ireland Experimental Archaeology program. This scholarship has no cash value. This scholarship may not be applied to any other field school, within or outside those offered by the IFR.
- Any student who has been admitted to the Ireland-Experimental Archaeology program.
- Must be 18 years old or older at the day the field school begins.
- Minimum GPA 2.5 (equivalent to 70% grade average).
- Current matriculating student at any level (undergraduate or graduate), or an individual who graduated in the past five years from an institution of higher education (community college, university, etc.) anywhere in the world.
- There is no nationality restriction. Any student may apply.
- Your major does not need to be in archaeology, geography or related subjects. Students from any major are encouraged to apply.
Deadline: March 13th, 2020, at 5:00pm (Pacific Standard Time).
Ireland: Ferrycarring (Summer 2020) Scholarship
The Ireland-Ferrycarring Summer Archaeology program is designed to introduce students to the archaeology of the Anglo Norman occupation of Ireland. Two $250 Scholarships will be awarded to students attending the Ireland Ferrycarring Summer program in Summer 2020. This scholarship has no cash value and will be awarded as a reduction in field school tuition only.
This scholarship is open to students attending the IFR Ireland:Ferrycarrig (Summer) program only. This scholarship may not be used for a non-IFR field school.
- Must apply and be admitted to the Ireland-Ferrycarring Summer Archaeology program (no deposit fee is required to be able to apply for this scholarship).
- One recommendation letter requested through the online application process. Please upload name and email address of the person who will send a letter of recommendation on your behalf.
- Unofficial copy of transcripts showing your current Grade Point Average (GPA).
- Complete application essay questions.
- Submit all materials on time and online. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. No exceptions.
Two $250 scholarships will be awarded to students attending the Ireland Ferrycarring Summer 2020 program. The scholarship sum will be deducted from the cost of the Ireland-Ferrycarring Archaeology Summer program. This scholarship has no cash value. This scholarship may not be applied to any other field school, within or outside those offered by the IFR.
- Any student who has been admitted to the Ireland-Ferrycarring Summer 2020 Archaeology program.
- Must be 18 years old or older at the day the field school begins.
- Minimum GPA 2.5 (equivalent to 70% grade average).
- Current matriculating student at any level (undergraduate or graduate), or an individual who graduated in the past five years from an institution of higher education (community college, university, etc.) anywhere in the world.
- There is no nationality restriction. Any student may apply.
- Your major does not need to be in archaeology, geography or related subjects. Students from any major are encouraged to apply.
Deadline: March 13th, 2020, at 5:00pm (Pacific Standard Time).
US-CA: La Brea Tar Pits Housing Scholarship
The US CA-La Brea Tar Pits field school is focused on Paleontology and Paleoecology, where students will be trained in paleontological excavation, fossil preparation, and museum curation, education, and outreach, and will learn how paleontological data are being used today to manage for future environmental change. To support students from outside the Los Angeles area, this scholarship will provide a limited number of housing stipends up to $750/each that will help to defray costs of lodging within reasonable commute distance from the La Brea Tar Pits Museum.
- Open to students attending the US CA-La Brea Tar Pits program only.
- Complete application essay questions.
- Upload unofficial transcripts.
- Upload projected housing budget
- Submit all materials online and on time. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Competitive scholarships, each for up to $750, provided as housing stipends. This award will be paid directly to landlords or other housing operators (Airbnb, hotels, etc.) or against original housing receipts issued to students enrolled in the US CA-La Brea Tar Pits program. This scholarship may not be applied to any other field school, within or outside those offered by the IFR.
- Any student admitted to the US CA-La Brea Tar Pits field school.
- Must be 18 years old or older at the day the field school begins.
- Current student at any level or graduated in the past five years from an institution of higher education (community college, university, etc.) anywhere in the world.
- There is no nationality restriction. Any student may apply.
- Your major does not need to be in paleontology or related subject. Students from any major are encouraged to apply.
Deadline: February 28, 2020, at 5:00pm (Pacific Standard Time).
Funding Search Engines & Directories
NAFSA Financial Aid for Study Abroad Students
NAFSA, the Association of International Educators, has put together an extensive page with federal, state and private grants that support a variety of study abroad program types.
Institute for International Education Study Abroad Funding Directory
The Institute for International Education created a searchable directory that features detailed descriptions of hundreds of study abroad scholarships, fellowships, grants, and paid internships for U.S. undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate students, and professionals.
Maryville University: Scholarships and College Guide for Native American Students
Maryville University has written a blog compiling information on various scholarships for Native Americans, specifically for educational opportunities.
External Scholarships
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
The Gilman Scholarship Program offers awards for undergraduate study abroad. This scholarship provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding to participate in study abroad programs worldwide. The program aims to diversify the kinds of students who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go by supporting undergraduates who might otherwise not participate due to financial constraints. Over 2,300 scholarships of up to $5,000 will be awarded this academic year. Award amounts will vary depending on the length of study and student need with the average award being approximately $4,000.
Application deadline: March 2, 2021 at 11:59pm Pacific Time for programs that start between May 1, 2021 – April 30, 2022.
The Gilman McCain
The U.S. Department of State is proud to announce the Gilman-McCain Scholarship, a congressionally funded initiative of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) at the U.S. Department of State and named after the late senator John S. McCain from Arizona. With the support of the U.S. Congress, this scholarship honors the Senator’s legacy of public service by enabling children of active duty military to develop the leadership and career readiness skills and global perspective to pursue careers of service and contribute to preserving the principles and alliances that are critical to an international order based on the rule of law, human rights, and democracy.
The Gilman-McCain Scholarship provides awards of $5,000 for child dependents of active duty service members to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs. Developed under the framework of the State Department’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, the John McCain International Scholarship for the Children of Military Families (Gilman-McCain Scholarship) is open to eligible students enrolled at accredited U.S. colleges and universities who receive any type of Title IV federal financial aid.
Jane C. Waldbaum Archaeological Field School Scholarship
Established in honor of AIA Past President Jane Waldbaum, this scholarship is intended to help students who are planning to participate in archaeological field work for the first time. Students majoring in archaeology or related disciplines are especially encouraged to apply. The Scholarship Fund provides $1000 each for up to seven successful applicants to help pay expenses associated with participation in an archaeological field work project (minimum stay one month). The scholarship is open to students who have begun their junior year of undergraduate studies at the time of application and have not yet completed their first year of graduate school at a college or university in the United States or Canada. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and must not have previously participated in archaeological field work. The committee will consider both academic achievement and financial need in its deliberations. Application deadline: March 1.
American Philological Association (APA)/Archaeological Institute of America (AIA)
Comprehensive listing with multiple scholarships/fellowships available for students pursuing education in Classical studies. Many opportunities for funding travel and excavation for both graduate and undergraduate students.
Sacramento Archaeological Society, Inc. Student Scholarship Site
Scholarships will be considered in archaeology and related fields for undergraduate and graduate students. Scholarships may be awarded for participation in a field school and/or tuition for a field school.
American Schools for Oriental Research (ASOR) Scholarships
ASOR has renewed its emphasis on providing excavation grants and fellowships that allows individuals to participate in excavations in the Eastern Mediterranean. Since 2007, ASOR has awarded 146 total scholarships for excavations through the Harris, Platt, and Heritage Fellowships. Students are eligible to apply only if their home university is an official ASOR institutional member (click here for a list of ASOR institutional members).
UCLA Cotsen Undergraduate Research Fellowship (for UCLA Students only)
The Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA will award approximately 25 fellowships for $1000 each to UCLA undergraduate students in good standing to work on an archaeological project with a UCLA professor (China-YGZ, Ethiopia-Shire, Greece-Methone, Philippines – Ifugao, Tunisia-Zita). Students will be evaluated based upon overall academic excellence and commitment to scientific field research. Students from any UCLA department are eligible. Students not preparing for a career in archaeology are urged to apply. The fellowship holder is expected to use the fellowship to defray costs to attend an off-campus research project with a UCLA professor, but some exceptions to the off-campus rule may be permitted. Application deadline: April 30.
UCLA Frey Scholarship for Civic Engagement Research or Language Study
This fellowship supports research projects, internships or language study in any field of Jewish studies for UCLA undergraduate students. Up to $3,000 per summer or quarter. UCLA students participating in IFR field schools in Israel, or projects related to Jewish history, may be eligible to apply.
Israel Studies Undergraduate Student Research Grant
This grant is for UCLA undergraduate students who are seeking to conduct research in Israel Studies during the academic year or the summer. The Center welcomes fellowship applications from undergraduate students in a wide range of disciplines, including, but not limited to history, political science, economics, sociology, literature, visual and performing arts, management, engineering, law, public health, environment and sustainability. Awards amount: $500-$1,500. Applications Accepted Beginning: March 14, 2018,
Applications Due: April 13, 2018, Applicants Notified By: April 30, 2018.
Israel Studies Graduate Student Research Fellowships (for UCLA Students only)
This grant is for UCLA graduate students who are seeking to conduct research in Israel Studies during the academic year or the summer. The Center welcomes fellowship applications from graduate students in a wide range of disciplines, including, but not limited to history, political science, economics, sociology, literature, visual and performing arts, management, engineering, law, public health, environment and sustainability. Awards amount: $2,500-$7,500. Applications Accepted Beginning: March 14, 2018, Applications Due: April 13, 2018, Applicants Notified By: April 30, 2018.
Biblical Archaeology Society Scholarships
Biblical Archaeology Society offers scholarships of $1,500 each year to a few people who would otherwise not be able to volunteer at an archaeological excavation. Application deadline: March 14.
Mark Twain Travel Awards
The Mark Twain Awards for Travel support deserving students who wish to enrich their education through exposure to people and places they would otherwise not encounter. Once awarded, the funds are unrestricted and can be used towards any local or international travel of any duration. Prizes range between $500-$2,500. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submissions are strongly encouraged.
Fund for Education Abroad
Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled as undergraduates in US universities/colleges and who plan to study abroad for at least four weeks. Awards are up to $10,000. Look at the “Dedicated Scholarships” as well to see if you may be eligible to those specific awards. Application deadline: January 17.
Go Overseas Study Abroad Scholarship
Go Overseas Scholarships are available to any student currently enrolled in an American institution who wants to study or intern abroad. Application deadline: September 1.
Fulbright-National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellowship
The Fulbright – National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellowship is a new component of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program that provides opportunities for U.S. citizens to participate in an academic year of overseas travel and digital storytelling in up to three countries on a globally significant social or environmental topic. Application deadline: October 6.
American Center for Oriental Research Jordan
The American Center for Oriental Research in Jordan (ACOR) offers a number of modest fellowships, including the de Vries Fellowship, Groot Memorial Fellowship, Harrell Fellowship, MacDonald & Sampson Fellowship and the Russell Fellowship. These are funded from ACOR’s own endowments, including some for US and Canadian undergraduate students attending field schools in Jordan.
The Esherick-Ye Family Foundation
The Esherick-Ye Family Foundation has just been established as an IRS 501(c)3 corporation to support small grants of up to $5,000 for projects in modern Chinese economic, social, and political history or Chinese archaeology. The foundation expect to offer at most four or five grants. Grants will support travel to China for research or field work. Grants are available for undergraduate and graduate students as well as untenured faculty in archaeology.
The Classical Association of the Middle West and South Award
CAMWS will be awarding three $2,000 scholarships, for summer, to fund participants in summer excavations or field schools at an archaeological site in the Greco-Roman world. Generally, one award will be made to a graduate student and another to an undergraduate, but teachers are also eligible for this award. Professional archaeologists are not eligible. The deadline to apply is February 15.
The Leaky Foundation Grant
The Leakey Foundation awards over $800,000 in grants annually through its two granting programs. Current specific funding priorities include:
- Paleoanthropology of the Miocene, Pliocene, and Pleistocene.
- Primates (Old and New World): Evolution, behavior, morphology, ecology, endocrinology, genetics, isotope studies, and modern hunter-gatherer groups.
Application deadlines: January 10 and July 15.
Baldwin Fellowships for Students from Developing Countries
Franklin Mosher Baldwin Memorial Fellowships are intended for scholars and students with citizenship in a developing country who wish to obtain education or training from an institution outside of the student’s home country. This award is for a program of approved, advanced special training or studies leading towards an MA or PhD. It is limited to two years of support. The maximum award is limited to $15,000 per year.
Deadline for new applicants: February 15th
Deadline for returning applicants: March 1st
SAA Native American Scholarships
The Native American Scholarships Fund is an endowment established to foster a sense of shared purpose and positive interaction between archaeologists and Native Americans. Scholarships are open to all Native peoples from anywhere in the Americas, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Indigenous Pacific Islanders. Awards are $4,000-11,000. Scholarships include:
- National Science Foundation Scholarship for Archaeological Training
- SAA Native American Undergraduate Archaeology Scholarship
- SAA Native American Graduate Archaeology Scholarship
- Bertha Parker Cody Award for Native American Women
Israel Studies Travel Grants
Travel grants of up to $1,000 are available to UCLA undergraduate and graduate students for: (1) presentation of conference papers focused on Israel Studies or (2) Israel-related projects that require limited, site-specific research (e.g., archival research). Grant funds may be used to cover airfare, accommodation/hotel costs, ground transportation costs and for conference registration fees. Application Deadline: April 1st.
Cheryl L. Wase Memorial Scholarship
The SAA Cheryl L. Wase Memorial Scholarship for the Study of Archaeology provides funding for undergraduate education in archaeology. It is awarded to women who are residents of New Mexico and pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology with a specialization in archaeology from a fully accredited university in the state of New Mexico (Eastern New Mexico University, New Mexico State University, or University of New Mexico). It is overseen by the Wase Scholarship Committee of the SAA.
The Wase Scholarships cover the cost of tuition/course fees and books for all classroom and field-based courses included in an accredited curriculum to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology with a Emphasis/Focus/Concentration in Archaeology.
Elizabeth Bartman Museum Internship Scholarship
A scholarship established in honor of AIA Past President Elizabeth Bartman to assist graduate students or those who have recently completed a master’s degree with the expenses associated with participating in a museum internship either in the United States or abroad. Award Amount: $2,000-$4,750. Application Deadline: April 1st.
The Sportula:Microgrants for Classics Students
Grants provided by The Sportula are created by classicists for classicists. The microgrants range from $5 to $300 to help students with anything they need from books to applications.
The AIA-OC Graduate Student Research Grant
The Archaeological Institute of America’s Orange County Society is offering a $2,000 grant available to a Southern California graduate student in the second quarter of 2020. Attached is a description of the grant requirements and application. The purpose of the grant is to provide funds for additional effort that could be instrumental in extending the project in potentially important ways. As examples the funds could be used for underwriting specialized dating methods; they could provide access to unique research collections for extended comparative analysis; they could allow creating or using software, for example to show how complex adaptive systems theory relate to the project. This additional funding is intended to allow an outstanding archaeology student to do possibly groundbreaking work that could advance their career as well as the project. The winner will receive $2,000 and will be asked to present the project results in a lecture to the AIA-OC Society.