50 Top Scholarships For Archeology Majors

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The ancient world holds many more mysteries than we currently understand. The allure of discovering what human life was like before the present day has persistently been a driving force throughout human history. To understand the distant past is to understand ourselves. To see what form “progress” may have made, and to expose ways in which history may repeat itself. If you find yourself drawn to ancient relics, civilizations, and the dawn of time, archeology could be an awe-inspiring discipline to study.

Here at DegreeQuery we’ve crafted well researched guides on nearly every degree type, and archeology is no different. In this guide we work through ways you can obtain the archeological degree of your dreams without needing to break the bank. Check out the 50 top scholarships for archeology majors below!


DegreeQuery.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Lecture Flyer and Website Contest

  • 150
  • The Archaeological Institute of America offers society awards including the lecture flyer and website contest. The lecture flyer and website contest is awarded to societies who produce the best flyer and website. This is a cash price of $150. To submit you must submit a poster and flyer for the previous calendar year. For more information about criteria for submission head to their website.
  • AIA Members

AIA Society Outreach Grant Program

  • 500
  • The AIA offers the Society Outreach Grant Program which encourages AIA societies to implement outreach activities in their local communities. Grant requests of up to $500 are being considered for this program. For more information and to fill out an application head to their website.
  • AIA Members

The Kathleen and David Boochever Endowment Fund for Fieldwork and Scientific Analyses

  • 4000
  • The Archaeological Institute of America offers the Kathleen and David Boochever endowment fund for fieldwork and scientific analyses. This is a $4000 award to support fieldwork and lab research informed by new technologies. This project may concern any area of the world. For more information about the application process head to Archaeological Institute of America’s website.
  • Professional

Enid Hall Griswold Memorial Scholarship

  • 5000
  • The Enid Hall Griswold Memorial scholarship is for two college juniors or seniors who are enrolled in an accredited college or university in the United States. To be eligible for this award you must be pursuing a major in political science, history, government, or economics. All applicants should be citizens of the United States attending an accredited college or university in the United States. This is a $5000 award.
  • US Citizens

Charles Koch Foundation Dissertation Grant

  • 5000
  • The Charles Koch Foundation offers a dissertation grant which focuses on improving human well-being especially for the less fortunate. The Charles Koch Foundation has continued this mission since 1980. To be eligible for this $5000 award you must have a superior academic record, record of public service and commitment to the study of freedom and well-being, commitment to a career in academia, a PhD awarded in history political science or philosophy, and an arrangement to be hosted at the University within the United States with access to a faculty member.
  • Post-doctoral, Professional, Faculty Member

The Ellen and Charles Steinmetz Endowment Fund for Archaeology

  • 5500
  • The Ellen and Charles Steinmetz Endowment Fund for Archaeology is offered through the Archaeological Institute of America. This $5500 award is offered to projects that use innovative technological tools and methods. Projects are relevant in any location in the world but should be designed to address important questions about the human past specifically through technological means. Technology should be defined broadly to include not only digital tools and approaches but also those developed in engineering, chemistry, biology, physics and more.
  • Professional

Anna C. & Oliver C. Colburn Fellowships

  • 5500
  • The Anna C. and Oliver C. Colburn Fellowship is offered through the Archaeological Institute of America. To be eligible for this award applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or Canada. Each year, the AIA offers two fellowships in the amount of $5500 each. Applicants should be pre-doctoral students or those who have received a PHD within five years of this application.
  • Pre-doctoral, PHD

Smithsonian Minority Awards Program – Internship

  • 6500
  • The Smithsonian Minority Awards are $6500 rewards that are offered as an internship to underrepresented groups in the disciplines of research conducted at the institution and then in the museum field. To be eligible for this award you must have been formally enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program and have a 3.0. GPA.
  • Undergraduate, Graduate

Helen M. Woodruff Fellowship of the AIA and the American Academy in Rome

  • 9000
  • The Archaeological Institute of America offers the Helen M. Woodruff fellowship of the AIA and the American Academy in Rome. The amount of this award is $9000 it is made possible from Helen M. Woodruff herself who was the recipient of the AIA fellowship in medieval and Renaissance archaeology in the 1920s during which time she travel to Rome and other places across Europe. To be eligible for this award, applicants must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
  • US Citizen, Resident

Mercatus Adam Smith Fellowship

  • 10000
  • The Mercatus Adam Smith fellowship is a $10,000 award to graduate students who are attending a PhD program in a wide variety of fields including economics, sociology, political science, and philosophy. Smith fellows spend three weeks at George Mason University participating in workshops as well as seminars. This $10,000 award includes a stipend as well as travel and lodging to the Mercatus center.
  • Graduate Students

John R. Coleman Traveling Fellowship

  • 10000
  • The Archaeological Institute of America offers the John R. Coleman traveling fellowship for $10,000. John R. Coleman graduated magna cum laude at Harvard university and held a Fulbright scholarship at the University of Bonn and pursued graduate study at Princeton University. This fellowship is used to travel and study in Italy, the Western Mediterranean, or north Africa. To be eligible for this award applicants must be AIA members in good standing for at least one year prior to the application. Applicants must also be engaged in a dissertation research project in a United States graduate program.
  • Graduate Students

ISF National Scholarships

  • 10000
  • The Islamic Scholarship fund ISF was founded in 2009 with a mission to address under represented American Muslims in certain occupations. This is a $10,000 award given to Muslims who are enrolled at an accredited university with a major in media politics or another field related to the ISF. For more information about the scholarship and if you qualify head to their website.
  • Muslim

Elms College STEM Scholarships

  • 10000
  • The Elms College Elm STEM program is supported by the National Science Foundation. This is a $10,000 award for students who are majoring in a stem field and who are attending Elms College full-time. In order to be eligible for this award you must be able to demonstrate financial need. For more information head to their website.
  • Need-based

Site Preservation Grant

  • 15000
  • The Site Preservation Grant is offered to the Archaeological Institute of America that preserves and protects the worlds archaeological heritage for future generations. The purpose of the grant which carries an award of $15,000 is to enhance global efforts and promote awareness around threatened archaeological sites. This grant seeks to protect and preserve archaeological sites and award those engaged in public outreach and in educational components to their programming.
  • Professional

Center for Hellenic Studies Fellowship

  • 18000
  • The Center for Hellenic Studies fellowship offers an $18,000 award that encourages research of the ancient Greek civilization. The proposed research may be approached through a wide array of disciplines including Anthropologie, education, ethnic studies, literary criticism, philosophy, political science, sociology, and more. If you have achieved a terminal degree in your discipline then you are eligible to apply.
  • Professional

The Saul Kagan Fellowship in Advanced Shoah Studies

  • 20000
  • The Saul Kagan Fellowship in Advanced Shoa Studies is a scholarship for PhD and Post-doctoral candidates who are pursuing advanced study in the holocaust. This is a $20,000 award. The award supports research surrounding the holocaust including the historical context of the holocaust, economic, legal, religious, or socio-cultural aspects of the holocaust, ethical and moral implications of the holocaust and more. The following fields may be included: history, sociology, Jewish studies, political science, philosophy, theology, women’s studies and others. To determine if you qualify head to their website.
  • PHD Post-doctoral

Richard C. MacDonald Iliad Endowment for Archaeological Research

  • 20000
  • The Archaeological Institute of America offers the Richard C. MacDonald’s Iliad Endowment for Archaeological Research. This is a $20,000 grant award of projects that support research in the regions which supply context to the study of Troy and are helpful to explain the Trojan war’s as well it’s a it’s impact on the ancient Mediterranean civilization. This area includes but is not limited to modern Turkey, South Eastern Europe, and Crete during the third first millennia B.C.E.
  • Professional

Harriet and Leon Pomerance Fellowship

  • 20000
  • Boren scholarships are a prestigious scholarship for individuals who are studying a less commonly taught language which are considered critical to the United States’ interests. Languages in the following areas will be considered: Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The Boren Scholarship are a$20,000 award. High school graduates are welcome to apply. For more information to see if you qualify head to their website.
  • High School Graduates

Boren Scholarships

  • 20000
  • Boren Scholarships are a prestigious scholarship for individuals who are studying a less commonly taught language that are considered critical to the United States interests. Languages from the following areas will be considered: Africa, Asia Central, and Eastern Europe Eurasia Latin America and the Middle East. The Boren Scholarships are a $20,000 award. High school graduates are welcome to apply. For more information to see if you qualify head to their website.
  • All

College of Saint Rose Academic Scholarships

  • 22000
  • The College of Saint Rose offers academic scholarships including the trustee scholarship, the presidential scholarship, the Provo scholarship, and the Saint Rose award. Scholarships range but the amount may be up to $22,000. The rigor of your academic programming as well as your academic achievements will be considered when determining eligibility for these scholarships.
  • undergraduate

Olivia James Traveling Fellowship

  • 24000
  • The Olivia James Traveling fellowship is a $24,000 award for travel and study in Greece, Cypress, the Aegean islands, Sicily, southern Italy, Asia Minor, Turkey, or Mesopotamia. This award is not intended to support field excavation projects. To be eligible for this award you must be a citizen of the United States and AIA members in good standing and engaged in dissertation research or those who received their PhD within five years of the application.
  • US Citizen, PHD, AIA Members, Dissertation

Davidson Fellows Scholarship

  • 50000
  • The Davidson Fellow Scholarship is a $50,000 award for young people 18 and under who have completed a significant piece of work in their lives in the following areas: science, technology, and nearing, literature, mathematics, music, philosophy and one outside the box category. The Davidson fellows meet each year in Washington DC. For more information on how to apply head to the scholarship providers website.
  • 18 and under

Elizabeth Bartman Museum Internship

  • $1,000-$4,000
  • The Archaeological Institute of America offers the Elizabeth Bartman Museum Internship. The amount for this award is $1000-$4000 and the purpose is to assist graduate students who have recently completed a masters degree and have the expenses associated with participating in a museum internship either in the United States or abroad. Applicants must be members of the AIA for at least one year at the time of the application.
  • Postgraduate

AIA-NEH Grants for Archaeological Research

  • $15,000-$50,000
  • The Archaeological Institute of America offers the NEH grants for archaeological research. The National Endowment for the Humanities supports individuals who are conducting archaeological research around the world. To receive this grant you do not have to be a member of the AIA but you must be a United States citizen or a resident of the United States. The term humanities includes language both modern and classical, linguistics, literature, history, philosophy, archaeology, religion, ethics and more. Awards are available for persons who are holding a PhD or an equivalency. That’s the word presents to small grant of up to $15,000 as well as larger grants for up to $50,000 in fieldwork.
  • Professional

The Archaeology of Portugal Fellowship

  • $2,000-$8,000
  • The Archaeology of Portugal Fellowship is a $2000-$8000 award that supports research and study in the archaeology of Portugal including the autonomous regions of the Azores and the Madera. To be eligible for this award, you must be AIA members in good standing, Portuguese graduate students, and Portuguese graduate students who are wishing to study in the United States must be accepted or offered a place at an accredited US university or college.
  • Graduate Students

Dr. Aura-Lee A. and James Hobbs Pittenger American History Scholarship

  • $80,00
  • Dr. Aura-Lee A. and James Hobbs Pittinger offer the American History Scholarship for $8000. To be eligible for this award you must be a graduating high school student who is pursuing an undergraduate degree with a concentrated study in American history or in American government. This award is renewable to students who are able to maintain a 3.25 GPA.
  • High School Graduates, Undergraduates

DAI Fellowship for Study in Berlin

  • Study Abroad Opportunity
  • The Archaeological Institute of America offers the DAI Fellowship for Study in Berlin. The German Archaeological Institute (DAI) will offer to post doctoral research fellowships, AIA members who are based in North America and wish to use facilities of the DAI in Berlin. East Fellowship has a maximum duration of two months and the prerequisites for this fellowship are a PhD or the equivalency of and professional experience in archaeology.
  • PHD, Professional

Graduate Student Travel Award

  • Travel Grant
  • The Archaeological Institute of America offers to graduate student travel award for graduate students who are presenting papers at the AIA. To apply for this award head to their website and complete the online form.
  • Graduate Students

Anna Marguerite McCann Diversity Student Travel Grants

  • Travel Grant
  • Anna Margureite McCann diversity student student travel grant is designed to assist undergraduate or graduate students who qualify as underrepresented minorities. This travel grant covers the expense of travel to attend the AIA annual meeting. The following ethnic minorities may be included in this award but is not limited to: African-American/Canadian Latino American, Native American/First nations, Mattis, Inuit, Asian American/Canadian, Caribbean American/Canadians and pacific islander American/Canadian students.
  • Undergraduate, Graduate

The AIA Publication Subvention Program

  • Varies
  • The Archaeological Institute of America offers the AIA publication Subvention program. This program offers subventions from the AIA’s van boss for publication fund in support of new book length publications in the field of classical archaeology defined as Greek Roman and Etruscan archaeology in art history. This award particularly welcome submissions from first time authors.
  • Authors

Samuel H. Kress Grants for Research and Publication in Classical Art and Architecture

  • Varies
  • The Archaeological Institute of America offer offers the Samuel H Kress grants for research and publication in classical art and architecture. Applicants must be members of the AIA in good standing for two consecutive years or one year for graduate students by the time of the application deadline. Grants are available to scholars from all nations. This award is offered to individuals engaged in Interpretation, appreciation, preservation, study and teaching of the history of European art and architecture from antiquity to the modern era.
  • Graduate Students

Poster Awards

  • Varies
  • The Archaeological Institute of America offers a number of poster awards. At each annual meeting the AIA includes all poster presentations. The poster presenter or multiple presenters are present during this meeting. The awards are given to the best posters reviewd by a panel of judges. There is a first place award, second place award, and first runner-up award as well as a third and fourth place award for all posters. Graduate students and undergraduate student posters are eligible for this award.
  • Undergraduate, Graduate

Pomerance Award for Scientific Contributions to Archaeology

  • Varies
  • The Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) offers the Pomerance Award for scientific contributions to archaeology. This is an international award with no geographical limitations and is not restricted to members of the AIA. Recipients may be professional or amateur scientists or a team who’s inter-disciplinary work includes that with archaeologists. If you have previously won the Pomerance Award you are ineligible to apply.
  • International, Professionals

Outstanding Public Service Award

  • Varies
  • The Archaeological Institute of America offers the Outstanding Public Service Award which recognizes exceptional contributions that help to promote the public’s understanding of archaeology and the preservation of the archaeological record. If you are an individual organization institution or corporation you may be nominated to receive the public service award. Individuals do not need to be members of the AIA.
  • Public Servants

Martha and Artemis Joukowsky Distinguished Service Award

  • Varies
  • The Martha and Artemis Joe Kowski distinguished service award is granted to members of the AIA. If you’ve been a member of the AIA and engage in exceptional volunteer work and have helped to further the work of the Institute then you are eligible for this award. If you are currently serving on the governing board you are not eligible for this award. Complete nominations in the form of a letter detailing the candidate service on behalf of the AIA should be submitted to Samantha Austin at the Archaeological Institute of America.
  • AIA Members

Life Saver Award

  • Varies
  • The Archaeological Institute of America offers the Lifesaver Award. This award recognizes individuals who were able to persevere even when things go horribly wrong. It is open to any member of the AIA who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in their efforts to make events at the AIA as best as can be. For more information and to apply head to their website.
  • AIA Members

Julie Herzig Desnick Endowment Fund for Archaeological Field Surveys

  • Varies
  • The Archaeological Institute of America offers theJulie Herzig Desnick Endowment Fund for Archaeological Field Surveys. This is a $4350 award for field survey and remote sensing methods. Geophysical survey projects are all also available for this award. To be eligible you must be an AIA member in good standing for at least two consecutive years prior to the application deadline with a PhD in archaeology or a related field. For more information and to apply head to the website.
  • AIA Members

Jane C. Waldbaum Archaeological Field School Scholarship

  • Varies
  • The Archaeological Institute of America offers the Jane C Waldbaum Archaeological Field School scholarship which was established in honor of president Jane waldbaum. If you are a junior in college then the scholarship is for you. Applicants should be 18 years old and not have previously participated in any archaeological fieldwork. The Waldbaum scholarship is awarded to junior and senior undergraduates as well as first year graduate students. Applicants should submit a brief essay as well as anticipated Expenses associated with participation in the project.
  • Undergraduate, Graduate

James R. Wiseman Book Award

  • Varies
  • The James R. Wiseman Book Award is offered through the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA). Books as well as monographs that have been published four years prior to the year of the annual meeting are eligible for consideration. Textbooks are not considered for this award. Handbooks as well as other edited co-authored volumes must be exceptionally written to qualify for this award.
  • Authors

International Archaeology Day Grants

  • varies
  • The AIA offers the International Archaeology Day grants. Grants are offered to AIA local societies for the International Archaeology Day. To fill out the application form head to their website.
  • AIA Members

Graduate Student Paper Award

  • Varies
  • The Archaeological Institute of America offers the graduate student paper award for pre-doctoral students in any discipline related to archaeology. Eligible students who have a paper that has been accepted by the program for the annual meeting committee and have checked the box on the submission form are eligible for the award. The written paper is then presented orally to be judged for originality, concision, and delivery.
  • Graduate Students

Golden Trowel Award

  • Varies
  • The Archaeological Institute of America offers the Golden Trowel Award. This reward is offered to society members who are managers of their local chapter. The Golden Trowel award honors the society whose membership increases the most.
  • AIA Members

Gold Medal Award for Distinguished Archaeological Achievement

  • Varies
  • The Gold Medal Award for Distinguished Archaeological Achievement is offered through the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA). The award is made annually for a scholar who has been distinguished in archaeological research and or field work. This is the highest award the Archaeological Institute of America bestows and therefore candidates should be members of the AIA. This is similar to a lifetime achievement award and the award is typically given to senior scholars in the field.
  • Senior Scholars in the Field of Archaeology

Foot Soldier Award

  • Varies
  • The Archaeological Institute of America offers the footsoldier award. This award recognizes the important contributions made at the local level and is open to any AIA member of a local society who is nominated by their society.
  • AIA Members

Felicia A. Holton Book Award

  • Varies
  • The Archaeological Institute of America offers the Felicia A. Holton book award which is given annually to a writer who through a major work of nonfiction is able to represent archaeology to the general public. Submissions may be made by authors, publishers, or AIA members with a focus on archaeology but may also include literary and historical topics. The books must have been published in English and available in the United States as well as Canada and have A publication date within three calendar years prior to the year in which the book is been considered for the award.
  • Authors, Publishers, AIA Members

Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award

  • Varies
  • The Archaeological Institute of America offers the excellence in undergraduate teaching award. This award is given to one individual every year who is worthy who have demonstrated excellence in the teaching of archaeology or developed innovative teaching methods or interdisciplinary curricula for a minimum of five years prior to nomination. To submit an application nominations are made by letter and accompanied by a dossier With the following information: a nominating letter, a curriculum vitae, four letters of recommendation and a brief description of all relevant courses taught.
  • Teachers

Conservation and Heritage Management Award

  • Varies
  • The Archaeological Institute of America offers the Conservation in Heritage Management Award. The award was created to recognize individuals or institutions who engage in exceptional practice in one of the following areas: Archaeological Conservation, Archaeological Conservation Science, Archaeological Heritage Management, and Education/Public Awareness of Archaeological Conservation. This award is open to individuals institutions or organizations.
  • AIA Members

Award for Outstanding Work in Digital Archaeology

  • Varies
  • Over the years, digital archaeology has changed. The Archaeological Institute of America offers the award for outstanding work in digital archaeology. Nominations may be through projects or through individuals. The purpose of this award is to encourage individuals who are using innovative approaches in digital scholarship. As the field evolves, the committee reserves the right to change this award or not to grant an award- if no deserving project has been nominated.
  • AIA Members

Anna Marguerite McCann Award for Fieldwork Reports

  • Varies
  • The AIA presents the Anna Marguerite McCann award for fieldwork reports. The Anna Margaret McCann award for fieldwork reports committee will recommend an award for an individual who supplies a report on field work that is deemed most worthy that year. To be eligible for this award you must be an AIA member engaging in fieldwork and be an AIA member in good standing for at least two consecutive years preceding the nomination.
  • AIA Members

AIA Fellowship for Study in the U.S.

  • Varies
  • The Archaeological Institute of America offers the Fellowship for Study in the United States. This is for post-doctoral research for you starting the academic year either at the Costen Institute of Archaeology at the University of California at Los Angeles, the Jackowsky Institute at Brown University, or the University of Cincinnati in Ohio. Applicants who are archaeologists must have a PhD and architects must have their diploma.
  • PHD, Professional