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Deborah L. Nichols Meeting Access Grants
Nomination/Submission Deadline: 15 Nov 2025
Award Description
The application is now closed and will reopen in the Fall of 2026.
Donations to the DNMAG can be made here.
The Deborah L. Nichols Meeting Access Grant (DNMAG) was established through the generosity of Dr. Nichols’ family to support members who might not otherwise be able to attend the SAA Annual Meeting.
The DNMAG Committee awards grants of up to $500 to support access and travel for in-person participation. Funds may be used for:
- Travel (airfare, car rental, gas, etc.)
- Lodging (hotel within SAA room block)
- Food (meals during the meeting and while traveling to/from it)
- Incidentals (public and private transportation, including but not limited to train, subway, bus, taxi, Uber/Lyft, etc.; visa application costs and travel costs associated with obtaining a visa; poster printing fees)
- Childcare
- Meeting registration fees
Students accepted into the Student Diversity Networking Program (SDNP) are also encouraged to apply; however, separate applications must be submitted for each program.
Questions about the application process may be directed to dnmag@saa.org.
Who Is Eligible to Submit Nominations or Apply for the Award
Applicants must be current SAA members and meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Undergraduate or graduate student
- First-generation college student
- International member*
- Indigenous, Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, or First Nations person
- First-time presenter at the SAA Annual Meeting
Application deadlines occur twice annually—once in the summer and again in the fall prior to the Annual Meeting.
- Summer round: Applicants are notified in September and funds are distributed by February 15 each year.
- Fall round: Applicants are notified in January and funds are distributed by February 15 each year.
Recipients may not apply for another DNMAG until the following calendar year. Recipients who are unable to attend the Annual Meeting are required to return awarded funds. Failure to do so renders them ineligible for future SAA financial support.
Applications not funded during the summer round are automatically reconsidered in the fall round.
*International membership is defined according to SAA Membership Categories and Rates.
Nomination/Submission Materials Required
The application period for the summer round of the 2026 Meeting Access Grants is now closed. Applications are closed.
All applicants will receive an email confirmation once their submission has been received.
Other Special Requirements
N/A
Nature of Award (e.g. monetary, medal, symposium)
Recipients receive up to $500 to support access and travel to the Annual Meeting.
Meeting Access Grant recipients are not recognized during the SAA Business Meeting, Award Ceremony, or in The SAA Archaeological Record.
Current Committee Charge
The Deborah L. Nichols Meeting Access Grants Committee promotes the grants program, selects recipients, monitors the guidelines, and recommends updates as needed.
Committee Composition
Chair and at least four members
Term Length
Three-year terms; members rotate at the close of the SAA Business Meeting each year
Award Cycle
Two application rounds per year: summer and fall
Committee Chair and End of Term
Erik R. Otárola-Castillo (term ends 2025)
Committee Chair Contact Information
Email: eoc@purdue.edu
Committee Members and Ends of Terms
Selection or Evaluation Criteria
Eligible applicants must meet the membership and demographic criteria outlined above. The Committee evaluates applications based on demonstrated need, relevance of participation to professional development, and overall merit.
Committee Deliberation Process (e.g. dates, venue)
N/A
90th Annual Meeting (Denver, 2025)
Cynthia Bellow-Hernandez
Defne Bozkurt
Itzel Chagoya Ayala
Agustina Ferreyra Cauton
Jennifer Grant
Maria Gutierrez
Joshua Jack
Kevin Lane
Maria Fernanda Martinez-Polanco
Renata Pedroso de Araujo
Lisseth Rojas-Pelayo
Ishbel Michelle Torres Lopez
Anna Banowsky
Alexandra Bazarsky
Alyssa Bolster
Kathryn Breyer
Zhuldyz Datka
Sydney Dufresne
Alysha Edwards
Luis Angel Flores Blanco
Kirsten Green Mink
Delancey Griffin
Maria Isabel Guevara-Duque
John Henshaw
Vivian Lantow
Tara Larson
Jennifer Leiva
Ishmael Medina
Phillip Mendenhall
David Okanlawon
Martha Only a Chief
Ema Arabella Perea Rios
Matthew Picarelli-Kombert
Daniel Gonzalo Rivas Alava
Carolina Rodriguez Alzza
Mariana Vazquez Alonso
Brandon Yam
Andrea Zurek-Ost