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Scholarships for Fieldwork Participation

ASOR plans to award 43 fieldwork participation scholarships of $2,000 each for 2024 (see COVID disclaimer below).

In the summer of 2007, ASOR renewed its emphasis on providing funding scholarships that enable individuals to participate in fieldwork in Western Asia and the wider Mediterranean, and also by awarding grants to support the archaeological projects themselves. Since 2007, ASOR has awarded well over $1 million to more than 900 researchers and students with excavation grants, dig and survey scholarships, travel scholarships, and other research fellowships.

Students excavating at Caesarea Maritima in 2023. Photo courtesy of Veronica Morriss.
End of season photo of the Caesarea Coastal Archaeology Project team. Photo courtesy of Veronica Morriss.

Scholarships for Fieldwork Participation

  • BIPOC Scholarships for Fieldwork Participation: BIPOC Scholarships for fieldwork participation are made possible through an endowment that was established by many generous donors who contributed to ASOR’s Diversity Initiatives campaign in 2020 and 2021. Six scholarships of $2,000 each will be awarded to African American or Indigenous people of color participating in any ASOR-affiliated archaeological project for the summer of 2024.
  • Stevan B. Dana Scholarships for Fieldwork Participation: These funds will support 8 scholarships of $2,000 each during 2024. Five scholarships are designated individuals to participate in excavations at Hazor: three for the excavations in the Lower City directed by Dr. Shlomit Bechar and two for the Selz Foundation Hazor Excavations in Memory of Yigael Yadin. The remaining scholarships are designated for digs in Israel. The application deadline for Dana Scholarships is April 8, 2024.
  • P. E. MacAllister Scholarships for Fieldwork Participation: These scholarships were made possible by a generous endowment given by the family and friends of P. E. MacAllister. These funds support scholarships for individuals to participate in fieldwork in any country where there is an ASOR-affiliated project.
  • Eric and Carol Meyers Scholarships for Fieldwork Participation: These scholarships were made possible by a generous endowment given by the students and friends of Carol and Eric Meyers. These funds support fellowships for individuals to participate in fieldwork in any country where there is an ASOR-affiliated project.
  • Shirlee Meyers/G. Ernest Wright Scholarships for Fieldwork Participation: These scholarships were made possible by a generous endowment given by Professors Eric and Carol Meyers. One-half of the funds awarded each year are in memory of Eric’s mother, Shirlee Meyers. The other half of the funds each year are in memory of Professor G. Ernest Wright, former ASOR President and a professor of both Eric and Carol Meyers. These funds support fellowships for individuals to participate in fieldwork in any country where there is an ASOR-affiliated project.
  • Member-Supported Scholarships for Fieldwork Participation: These scholarships are funded by contributions from our members. Many of these gifts are made during March Fellowship Madness, and other members make contributions (ranging from $10 to $2,000) throughout the year. Whenever the gifts are made, ASOR designates these donations into a special fund reserved for scholarships for fieldwork.
  • Platt Scholarships for Fieldwork Participation: These scholarships were made possible by a generous endowment given by the late Mrs. Katherine Barton Platt. These funds support scholarships for individuals to participate in fieldwork in any country where there is an ASOR-affiliated project.
  • Sheeler Scholarships for Fieldwork Participation: These scholarships are made possible by annual contributions from the Sheeler family in celebration of Harva Sheeler’s involvement in and support of ASOR and archaeological digs. Scholarships normally are designated to support volunteers and staff on the Tell el-Hesi Project.
  • Strange/Midkiff Families Scholarships for Fieldwork Participation: These scholarships were made possible by a generous lead gift from James (Jim) F. and Carolyn Strange that was matched by their family and friends. These funds support scholarships for individuals to participate in fieldwork in any country where there is an ASOR-affiliated project.
  • Steinmetz Scholarships for Fieldwork Participation for Active/Reserve Military or Veterans: These scholarships are made possible by the Charles Steinmetz and are intended for active or reserve military personnel or veterans to participate in fieldwork in any country where there is an ASOR-affiliated project. Two scholarships will be available for summer 2024.

List of Previous Recipients

COVID disclaimer: If the ongoing COVID pandemic, or any other reason, does not allow for many archaeological excavations to take place during 2024, ASOR may at its sole discretion decide not to offer fieldwork scholarships. If ASOR deems such a decision as necessary, applicants may reapply for non-fieldwork summer stipends if ASOR can offer stipends for 2024. Regrettably, applicants and successful applicants may not postpone fieldwork scholarships to another year if the applicant or ASOR decides that fieldwork scholarships will not be awarded in 2024. If the pandemic or any other reason causes a cancellation of fieldwork in 2024, applicants must reapply for funding in 2025 (or for stipends if they can be made available in 2024).

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