Elmer Erb Permanent Fund Research Grant

Elmer Erb Permanent Fund Research Grant is sponsored by Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology. This program provides funding for students and avocational archaeologists through competitive, proposal-based awards.

Nomination & Application Guidelines Individual Recognition Awards Student Awards & Scholarships Chapter Recognition Awards The Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology offers a range of awards, scholarships, and research grants recognizing achievement, supporting students, and advancing archaeological research in Pennsylvania. Awards are presented annually at the SPA Annual Meeting.

Eligibility, deadlines, and application requirements vary by award and are outlined below. Nomination & Application Guidelines Please review the general guidelines below before submitting a nomination or application. Nominators and applicants must be members in good standing of the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology, unless otherwise noted for a specific award or grant.

Some awards require membership in the State SPA rather than a local chapter only. Eligibility requirements vary by award; please review the individual award and grant descriptions carefully. Any State SPA member or SPA Chapter may submit one or more nominations for individual recognition awards, unless otherwise specified.

Nominations typically require supporting documentation, such as letters of support or evidence of contributions. If no nomination is submitted for a particular award, or if submitted nominations do not meet eligibility criteria, the award may not be presented in a given year. Some awards are determined administratively or through records review and do not require a nomination.

Student scholarships and research grants require a formal application and supporting materials. Application materials and deadlines are listed with each individual award or grant, when applicable . Incomplete or late submissions may not be reviewed.

Some awards and grants do not require an application. Deadlines vary by award or grant and are listed within each award or grant description, when applicable . Awards and grants are typically announced at the SPA Annual Meeting .

Applicants and nominees will be notified directly when applicable. For award-specific eligibility requirements, deadlines, and submission instructions, please refer to the individual award and grant sections below.

Individual Recognition Awards The Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology recognizes individuals whose dedication, scholarship, and service have made significant contributions to archaeology in Pennsylvania and to the mission of the Society. Individual Recognition Awards are presented at the SPA Annual Meeting and are open to nomination by SPA members, unless otherwise specified.

Lifetime Achievement Award The Lifetime Achievement Award honors an individual who has demonstrated sustained and outstanding service to archaeology in Pennsylvania and/or to the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology over many years.

Nominees must have at least 20 years of exemplary service to archaeology in Pennsylvania and/or the SPA, be members of the SPA in good standing for a comparable length of time, and be strong proponents of the Society’s mission.

Professional archaeologists or professionals in closely related fields Avocational archaeologists Nominees should demonstrate exceptional contributions through leadership, research, historic preservation, public outreach, mentoring, or long-term service to the archaeological community. The award is presented at the SPA Annual Meeting banquet .

The Archey Award recognizes a member of the Society who has devoted significant personal time and effort—beyond professional obligations—to archaeological interests and the advancement of archaeology in Pennsylvania.

The award acknowledges contributions such as: Fieldwork and site documentation Public speaking and education Service in offices held within the SPA Nominees must be members of the State SPA (not only a local chapter), but do not need to be Pennsylvania residents. Nominations may be submitted by individual SPA members or by chapters. Selection is based on the significance of contributions and the strength of the nomination.

The award is announced at the SPA Annual Meeting banquet . The J. Alden Mason Award is presented to a professional archaeologist whose work has made a significant contribution to the education and encouragement of SPA members in the responsible pursuit of archaeology over an extended period of time.

Must be members of the State SPA Must hold a Master’s degree or Ph. D. in archaeology or a closely related field Professionals in related disciplines who have provided comparable educational support and encouragement to SPA members may also be considered.

Nominations may be submitted by individual SPA members or by chapters. The award is announced at the SPA Annual Meeting banquet . Shrader/George Youth Award The Shrader/George Youth Award honors a young member of the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology who exemplifies the Society’s ideals through character, accomplishment, and dedication to archaeology.

Must be 18 years of age or younger Must be members of the State SPA (not only a local chapter) Do not need to be Pennsylvania residents Nominees are recognized for meaningful participation in archaeological investigations, commitment to ethical archaeological practices, and efforts to properly record and document sites.

It is expected that archaeological sites associated with the nominee’s work are officially recorded with a designated State site number, and that the nominee has experience with proper artifact cataloging and documentation. Nominations may be submitted by individual SPA members or by chapters. The award is announced at the SPA Annual Meeting banquet .

Student Awards & Scholarships The Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology supports students pursuing archaeological research and professional development through competitive awards and scholarships. These awards recognize original research, academic achievement, and active engagement with archaeology in Pennsylvania. Student awards are presented in conjunction with the SPA Annual Meeting , unless otherwise noted.

James W. Hatch Scholarship The James W. Hatch Scholarship supports students in archaeology by providing financial assistance to attend the annual joint SPA/PAC meeting .

Eligibility & preference: Undergraduate or graduate students in archaeology High school students with a demonstrated interest in Pennsylvania archaeology Preference is given to students planning to present a paper or poster at the meeting The scholarship provides financial support toward meeting attendance and encourages student involvement in the professional archaeological community.

Applications consist of a brief letter of interest describing the student’s background and qualifications. Applications must be submitted by mail or email . Application deadline: Meeting-specific (varies by year) Heberling Associates, Inc., praber@heberlingassociates.

com W. Fred Kinsey Scholarship The W. Fred Kinsey Scholarship recognizes outstanding original student research related to Pennsylvania archaeology.

Eligibility & Requirements Applicants must be undergraduate or graduate students Submission of a completed, single-author research paper is required The paper must be accepted for presentation at the SPA Annual Meeting Research topics must relate to Pennsylvania archaeology Students wishing to be considered must notify the SPA Annual Meeting Program Chair so that the paper title and abstract can be forwarded for review.

Selection is based on the quality of original research, clarity of presentation, and relevance to both avocational and professional archaeological audiences. Final publication decisions rest with the editor of Pennsylvania Archaeologist .

$150 monetary scholarship One year of SPA membership Reimbursement for the SPA Annual Meeting banquet Selected recipients may be invited to participate in a preliminary editorial review process for possible publication in Pennsylvania Archaeologist .

Completed papers must be submitted electronically to: Chapter Recognition Awards The Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology recognizes local chapters whose efforts advance the Society’s mission through research, education, preservation, and public outreach. Chapter Recognition Awards honor exceptional service and sustained commitment to archaeology at the local level. Awards are presented at the SPA Annual Meeting .

The John Witthoft Award recognizes an SPA Chapter that has demonstrated outstanding achievement in promoting archaeology within its local community during the previous calendar year.

Chapters may be recognized for: Public education and outreach programs Archaeological research or site stewardship Publications or interpretive initiatives Long-term service supporting the goals of the Society The award is non-competitive and is determined by the SPA Treasurer and Secretary.

It is awarded to the chapter that recruited the most new State SPA members and/or reinstated the highest number of delinquent State SPA members in the previous year. The award is announced at the SPA Annual Meeting banquet . The Frances Dorrance Award recognizes an SPA Chapter that has made outstanding contributions to archaeological site documentation and preservation in Pennsylvania during the previous calendar year.

This award is presented to the chapter that has recorded the highest number of new archaeological sites and/or submitted the most site updates to the Pennsylvania Archaeological Site Survey (PASS) at the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). To be considered, site forms must include the SPA Chapter number on the administrative form.

The award is non-competitive and is determined by State Historic Preservation Office staff based on PASS records. The award is announced at the SPA Annual Meeting banquet . The Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology offers competitive research grants to support archaeological investigation, specialized analyses, and research initiatives related to Pennsylvania archaeology.

These grants are intended to assist researchers in completing high-quality work that advances archaeological knowledge and preservation. Grant recipients are typically announced in conjunction with the SPA Annual Meeting . Jacob L.

Grimm C-14 Award The Jacob L. Grimm C-14 Award provides funding for radiocarbon dating in support of archaeological research conducted in Pennsylvania.

Supports the cost of HALF the price of radiocarbon dating and related analytical expenses Open to professional and avocational archaeologists Preference may be given to projects with clear research questions and strong contextual documentation This award helps facilitate chronological research essential to archaeological interpretation.

Nomination Form and Instructions The Cowin Award is a monetary grant that honors the legacy of Verna and Paul Cowin for their longstanding contributions to the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology. The award supports avocational (non-professional) archaeologists by helping offset out-of-pocket expenses incurred while volunteering on archaeological sites in Pennsylvania.

Eligible support may include: Travel, lodging, or field expenses related to volunteer archaeological work Costs associated with participation in documented archaeological investigations Other reasonable expenses incurred while volunteering on an approved site Applicants must be members in good standing of the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology, active in an SPA chapter, and working on an archaeological site recorded with the State Historic Preservation Office.

Applications are due November 1 and are reviewed by the SPA Board of Directors, with the award announced at the subsequent SPA Annual Meeting. Nomination Form and Instructions Donation to the Cowin Award The Graybill Research Fund provides financial assistance for archaeological research projects related to Pennsylvania archaeology.

Established in memory of Jeff Graybill, the fund supports research, specialized analyses, and publication that advance archaeological understanding. Archival or collections-based research Specialized analytical work (e.g., starch residue, phytoliths, use-wear, DNA, trace element, or isotope analysis) Awards are based on a research proposal that outlines the project goals, methods, and relevance.

Proposals are reviewed by a three-person committee approved by the fund administrator. Priority may be given to proposals from Pennsylvania institutions, though applicants are not restricted to Pennsylvania students or professionals.

Application deadline: December 31 Maximum award: $1,000 per applicant Graybill Fund Application Elmer Erb Permanent Fund Research Grant The Elmer Erb Permanent Fund Research Grant supports archaeological research that enhances understanding of past cultural behavior in Pennsylvania. The program provides funding for students and avocational archaeologists through competitive, proposal-based awards.

Eligible projects may include: Archaeological surveys or excavations Research addressing site identification, evaluation, or interpretation Projects demonstrating strong research design, feasibility, and ethical practice Grant funds may be used for travel, expendable supplies, equipment rental, remote sensing studies, radiometric dating, or curation fees. Projects must be feasible for completion within 18 months.

Eligibility: Students currently enrolled at an accredited institution or avocational archaeologists Application deadline: December 31 Maximum award: $5,000 per applicant Elmer Erb Permanent Fund Research Grant Application