Awards

About the SAA Awards

The Society for American Archaeology Awards recognize and honor knowledge and professional achievements at all career levels--from student and early career archaeologists to those who have made lasting contributions to the Society and the profession. The Call for Nominations opens in the fall of each year.

The 2025 Call for Award Nominations is open.
Deadlines and nomination information vary by award
The Deborah L. Nichols Meeting Access Grants opens for applications on Oct. 15, 2024

Prior to any award recommendation being finalized and publicly announced, anyone recommended for an award, scholarship, or grant will be required to certify the following:

(a)  I am not and have not ever been the subject of a discrimination or harassment lawsuit or related administrative complaint that resulted in an adverse finding; and

(b)  I do not have and have not had a current or pending disciplinary action such as suspension or termination of registration, resulting from a Register of Professional Archaeologists’ grievance investigation.

Professional Awards

Print

Fred Plog Memorial Fellowship

Nomination/Submission Deadline: 01 Nov 2024

Award Description

An award of $1,500 is presented in memory of the late Fred Plog to support the research of a graduate student with ABD status who is writing a dissertation on the North American Southwest or northern Mexico or on a topic, such as culture change or regional interactions, on which Fred Plog did research. In the case of a tie, the award is split equally between the fellows. 

Who Is Eligible to Submit Nominations or Apply for the Award

All student members of SAA in good standing who are ABD by the time the award is made at the Annual Meeting of the SAA are eligible to apply for the award. 

Nomination/Submission Materials Required

The application consists of 1) a research proposal no more than three single-space pages long (not including bibliography and tables/figures) that describes the research and its potential contributions to American archaeology, 2) a curriculum vitae, and 3) two letters of support, including one from the dissertation chair that indicates the expected date of completion of the dissertation. 

Other Special Requirements

All nominees must be ABD by the time the award is made at the Annual Meeting of the SAA. 

Prior to any award recommendation being finalized and publicly announced, anyone recommended for an award, scholarship, or grant will be required to certify the following:

(a)  I am not and have not ever been the subject of a discrimination or harassment lawsuit or related administrative complaint that resulted in an adverse finding; and

(b)  I do not have and have not had a current or pending disciplinary action such as suspension or termination of registration, resulting from a Register of Professional Archaeologists’ grievance investigation.

Nature of Award (e.g. monetary, medal, symposium)

The award winner receives $1,500. In the case of more than one fellow being selected, the award amount is split equally. In addition, the awardee is recognized by the SAA through a plaque presented during the business meeting held at the Annual Meeting, a citation in The SAA Archaeological Record, and acknowledgment on the awards page of the SAA Website. 

Current Committee Charge

The committee solicits proposals and selects recipients for the Fred Plog Memorial Fellowship. The fellowship is presented in support of research to a graduate student with ABD status who is writing a dissertation on the American Southwest or northern Mexico or on a topic, such as culture change or regional interactions, on which Fred Plog did research. 

Committee Composition

Committee composition is one chair and at least four members. Individuals ending their terms cycle off the committee at the close of the Business Meeting held during the annual SAA Meeting, and new appointees begin their terms at this time. 

Term Length

Term length is three years. Individuals ending their terms cycle off the committee at the close of the Business Meeting held during the annual SAA Meeting, and new appointees begin their terms at this time.

Award Cycle

N/A

Committee Chair and End of Term

Scott Van Keuren [2026]

Committee Chair Contact Information

Committee Members and Ends of Terms

Selection or Evaluation Criteria

Committee members evaluate applications according to the merit and quality of the applicant's research plan; the relevance of the research project to work in the North American Southwest or northern Mexico or on a topic, such as culture change or regional interactions, on which Fred Plog did research; the letters of support; and the academic record based on the curriculum vitae. How the funds would be used to complete the dissertation will be an aspect of the evaluation. 

Committee Deliberation Process (e.g. dates, venue)

Electronic copies of applications are circulated to committee members during the week after the submission deadline. Committee members rank applications on scale of 1-3 (3 = highest) and submit rankings to the chair by the third week of November. No later than the first week of December, the committee chair distributes the tabulated rankings to the committee and coordinates a conference call or email discussion to select a fellow. 

2024 Rebecca J. Harkness

2023 Caitlin Wichlacz

2022 Kelsey E. Hanson

2021 Mark Agostini

2020 Emily Kate; Christopher Schwartz

2019 Megan Anne Conger

2018 R. J. Sinensky

2017 Katelyn Bishop

2016 Jacob Lulewicz

2015 Saul L. Hedquist

2014 Christopher W. Merriman and Kathryn J. Putsavage

2013 Katherine A. Dungan

2012 Joshua Watts

2011 William Reitze

2010 Matthew Peeples

2009 Sam Duwe

2008 Deanna Grimstead

2007 Michael Mathiowetz and Todd Pitezel

2006 None

2005 Greg Schachner

2001 Deborah Huntley

1999 Sarah Herr

 

 

 Travel Awards

Print

Fred Plog Memorial Fellowship

Nomination/Submission Deadline: 01 Nov 2024

Award Description

An award of $1,500 is presented in memory of the late Fred Plog to support the research of a graduate student with ABD status who is writing a dissertation on the North American Southwest or northern Mexico or on a topic, such as culture change or regional interactions, on which Fred Plog did research. In the case of a tie, the award is split equally between the fellows. 

Who Is Eligible to Submit Nominations or Apply for the Award

All student members of SAA in good standing who are ABD by the time the award is made at the Annual Meeting of the SAA are eligible to apply for the award. 

Nomination/Submission Materials Required

The application consists of 1) a research proposal no more than three single-space pages long (not including bibliography and tables/figures) that describes the research and its potential contributions to American archaeology, 2) a curriculum vitae, and 3) two letters of support, including one from the dissertation chair that indicates the expected date of completion of the dissertation. 

Other Special Requirements

All nominees must be ABD by the time the award is made at the Annual Meeting of the SAA. 

Prior to any award recommendation being finalized and publicly announced, anyone recommended for an award, scholarship, or grant will be required to certify the following:

(a)  I am not and have not ever been the subject of a discrimination or harassment lawsuit or related administrative complaint that resulted in an adverse finding; and

(b)  I do not have and have not had a current or pending disciplinary action such as suspension or termination of registration, resulting from a Register of Professional Archaeologists’ grievance investigation.

Nature of Award (e.g. monetary, medal, symposium)

The award winner receives $1,500. In the case of more than one fellow being selected, the award amount is split equally. In addition, the awardee is recognized by the SAA through a plaque presented during the business meeting held at the Annual Meeting, a citation in The SAA Archaeological Record, and acknowledgment on the awards page of the SAA Website. 

Current Committee Charge

The committee solicits proposals and selects recipients for the Fred Plog Memorial Fellowship. The fellowship is presented in support of research to a graduate student with ABD status who is writing a dissertation on the American Southwest or northern Mexico or on a topic, such as culture change or regional interactions, on which Fred Plog did research. 

Committee Composition

Committee composition is one chair and at least four members. Individuals ending their terms cycle off the committee at the close of the Business Meeting held during the annual SAA Meeting, and new appointees begin their terms at this time. 

Term Length

Term length is three years. Individuals ending their terms cycle off the committee at the close of the Business Meeting held during the annual SAA Meeting, and new appointees begin their terms at this time.

Award Cycle

N/A

Committee Chair and End of Term

Scott Van Keuren [2026]

Committee Chair Contact Information

Committee Members and Ends of Terms

Selection or Evaluation Criteria

Committee members evaluate applications according to the merit and quality of the applicant's research plan; the relevance of the research project to work in the North American Southwest or northern Mexico or on a topic, such as culture change or regional interactions, on which Fred Plog did research; the letters of support; and the academic record based on the curriculum vitae. How the funds would be used to complete the dissertation will be an aspect of the evaluation. 

Committee Deliberation Process (e.g. dates, venue)

Electronic copies of applications are circulated to committee members during the week after the submission deadline. Committee members rank applications on scale of 1-3 (3 = highest) and submit rankings to the chair by the third week of November. No later than the first week of December, the committee chair distributes the tabulated rankings to the committee and coordinates a conference call or email discussion to select a fellow. 

2024 Rebecca J. Harkness

2023 Caitlin Wichlacz

2022 Kelsey E. Hanson

2021 Mark Agostini

2020 Emily Kate; Christopher Schwartz

2019 Megan Anne Conger

2018 R. J. Sinensky

2017 Katelyn Bishop

2016 Jacob Lulewicz

2015 Saul L. Hedquist

2014 Christopher W. Merriman and Kathryn J. Putsavage

2013 Katherine A. Dungan

2012 Joshua Watts

2011 William Reitze

2010 Matthew Peeples

2009 Sam Duwe

2008 Deanna Grimstead

2007 Michael Mathiowetz and Todd Pitezel

2006 None

2005 Greg Schachner

2001 Deborah Huntley

1999 Sarah Herr

 

 

 Student Awards

Print

Fred Plog Memorial Fellowship

Nomination/Submission Deadline: 01 Nov 2024

Award Description

An award of $1,500 is presented in memory of the late Fred Plog to support the research of a graduate student with ABD status who is writing a dissertation on the North American Southwest or northern Mexico or on a topic, such as culture change or regional interactions, on which Fred Plog did research. In the case of a tie, the award is split equally between the fellows. 

Who Is Eligible to Submit Nominations or Apply for the Award

All student members of SAA in good standing who are ABD by the time the award is made at the Annual Meeting of the SAA are eligible to apply for the award. 

Nomination/Submission Materials Required

The application consists of 1) a research proposal no more than three single-space pages long (not including bibliography and tables/figures) that describes the research and its potential contributions to American archaeology, 2) a curriculum vitae, and 3) two letters of support, including one from the dissertation chair that indicates the expected date of completion of the dissertation. 

Other Special Requirements

All nominees must be ABD by the time the award is made at the Annual Meeting of the SAA. 

Prior to any award recommendation being finalized and publicly announced, anyone recommended for an award, scholarship, or grant will be required to certify the following:

(a)  I am not and have not ever been the subject of a discrimination or harassment lawsuit or related administrative complaint that resulted in an adverse finding; and

(b)  I do not have and have not had a current or pending disciplinary action such as suspension or termination of registration, resulting from a Register of Professional Archaeologists’ grievance investigation.

Nature of Award (e.g. monetary, medal, symposium)

The award winner receives $1,500. In the case of more than one fellow being selected, the award amount is split equally. In addition, the awardee is recognized by the SAA through a plaque presented during the business meeting held at the Annual Meeting, a citation in The SAA Archaeological Record, and acknowledgment on the awards page of the SAA Website. 

Current Committee Charge

The committee solicits proposals and selects recipients for the Fred Plog Memorial Fellowship. The fellowship is presented in support of research to a graduate student with ABD status who is writing a dissertation on the American Southwest or northern Mexico or on a topic, such as culture change or regional interactions, on which Fred Plog did research. 

Committee Composition

Committee composition is one chair and at least four members. Individuals ending their terms cycle off the committee at the close of the Business Meeting held during the annual SAA Meeting, and new appointees begin their terms at this time. 

Term Length

Term length is three years. Individuals ending their terms cycle off the committee at the close of the Business Meeting held during the annual SAA Meeting, and new appointees begin their terms at this time.

Award Cycle

N/A

Committee Chair and End of Term

Scott Van Keuren [2026]

Committee Chair Contact Information

Committee Members and Ends of Terms

Selection or Evaluation Criteria

Committee members evaluate applications according to the merit and quality of the applicant's research plan; the relevance of the research project to work in the North American Southwest or northern Mexico or on a topic, such as culture change or regional interactions, on which Fred Plog did research; the letters of support; and the academic record based on the curriculum vitae. How the funds would be used to complete the dissertation will be an aspect of the evaluation. 

Committee Deliberation Process (e.g. dates, venue)

Electronic copies of applications are circulated to committee members during the week after the submission deadline. Committee members rank applications on scale of 1-3 (3 = highest) and submit rankings to the chair by the third week of November. No later than the first week of December, the committee chair distributes the tabulated rankings to the committee and coordinates a conference call or email discussion to select a fellow. 

2024 Rebecca J. Harkness

2023 Caitlin Wichlacz

2022 Kelsey E. Hanson

2021 Mark Agostini

2020 Emily Kate; Christopher Schwartz

2019 Megan Anne Conger

2018 R. J. Sinensky

2017 Katelyn Bishop

2016 Jacob Lulewicz

2015 Saul L. Hedquist

2014 Christopher W. Merriman and Kathryn J. Putsavage

2013 Katherine A. Dungan

2012 Joshua Watts

2011 William Reitze

2010 Matthew Peeples

2009 Sam Duwe

2008 Deanna Grimstead

2007 Michael Mathiowetz and Todd Pitezel

2006 None

2005 Greg Schachner

2001 Deborah Huntley

1999 Sarah Herr

 

 

 Student Fellowship Awards

Print

Fred Plog Memorial Fellowship

Nomination/Submission Deadline: 01 Nov 2024

Award Description

An award of $1,500 is presented in memory of the late Fred Plog to support the research of a graduate student with ABD status who is writing a dissertation on the North American Southwest or northern Mexico or on a topic, such as culture change or regional interactions, on which Fred Plog did research. In the case of a tie, the award is split equally between the fellows. 

Who Is Eligible to Submit Nominations or Apply for the Award

All student members of SAA in good standing who are ABD by the time the award is made at the Annual Meeting of the SAA are eligible to apply for the award. 

Nomination/Submission Materials Required

The application consists of 1) a research proposal no more than three single-space pages long (not including bibliography and tables/figures) that describes the research and its potential contributions to American archaeology, 2) a curriculum vitae, and 3) two letters of support, including one from the dissertation chair that indicates the expected date of completion of the dissertation. 

Other Special Requirements

All nominees must be ABD by the time the award is made at the Annual Meeting of the SAA. 

Prior to any award recommendation being finalized and publicly announced, anyone recommended for an award, scholarship, or grant will be required to certify the following:

(a)  I am not and have not ever been the subject of a discrimination or harassment lawsuit or related administrative complaint that resulted in an adverse finding; and

(b)  I do not have and have not had a current or pending disciplinary action such as suspension or termination of registration, resulting from a Register of Professional Archaeologists’ grievance investigation.

Nature of Award (e.g. monetary, medal, symposium)

The award winner receives $1,500. In the case of more than one fellow being selected, the award amount is split equally. In addition, the awardee is recognized by the SAA through a plaque presented during the business meeting held at the Annual Meeting, a citation in The SAA Archaeological Record, and acknowledgment on the awards page of the SAA Website. 

Current Committee Charge

The committee solicits proposals and selects recipients for the Fred Plog Memorial Fellowship. The fellowship is presented in support of research to a graduate student with ABD status who is writing a dissertation on the American Southwest or northern Mexico or on a topic, such as culture change or regional interactions, on which Fred Plog did research. 

Committee Composition

Committee composition is one chair and at least four members. Individuals ending their terms cycle off the committee at the close of the Business Meeting held during the annual SAA Meeting, and new appointees begin their terms at this time. 

Term Length

Term length is three years. Individuals ending their terms cycle off the committee at the close of the Business Meeting held during the annual SAA Meeting, and new appointees begin their terms at this time.

Award Cycle

N/A

Committee Chair and End of Term

Scott Van Keuren [2026]

Committee Chair Contact Information

Committee Members and Ends of Terms

Selection or Evaluation Criteria

Committee members evaluate applications according to the merit and quality of the applicant's research plan; the relevance of the research project to work in the North American Southwest or northern Mexico or on a topic, such as culture change or regional interactions, on which Fred Plog did research; the letters of support; and the academic record based on the curriculum vitae. How the funds would be used to complete the dissertation will be an aspect of the evaluation. 

Committee Deliberation Process (e.g. dates, venue)

Electronic copies of applications are circulated to committee members during the week after the submission deadline. Committee members rank applications on scale of 1-3 (3 = highest) and submit rankings to the chair by the third week of November. No later than the first week of December, the committee chair distributes the tabulated rankings to the committee and coordinates a conference call or email discussion to select a fellow. 

2024 Rebecca J. Harkness

2023 Caitlin Wichlacz

2022 Kelsey E. Hanson

2021 Mark Agostini

2020 Emily Kate; Christopher Schwartz

2019 Megan Anne Conger

2018 R. J. Sinensky

2017 Katelyn Bishop

2016 Jacob Lulewicz

2015 Saul L. Hedquist

2014 Christopher W. Merriman and Kathryn J. Putsavage

2013 Katherine A. Dungan

2012 Joshua Watts

2011 William Reitze

2010 Matthew Peeples

2009 Sam Duwe

2008 Deanna Grimstead

2007 Michael Mathiowetz and Todd Pitezel

2006 None

2005 Greg Schachner

2001 Deborah Huntley

1999 Sarah Herr