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 2026 Call for Award Nominations is open.
Deadlines and nomination information vary by award.
The Charles Stanish Award is not accepting applications.
The Deborah L. Nichols Meeting Access Grants for the 2026 Annual Meeting will begin accepting
applications for Round Two on October 15.
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
Deborah L. Nichols Meeting Access Grants
Nomination/Submission Deadline: 15 Nov 2025
Award Description
Click HERE to apply.
The application is now open and will close on November 15 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
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 open. Applications will close on November 15 at 3:00 p.m. EST.
Applicants may click HERE to apply.
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.
The fall round closes November 15, 2025, at 3:00 PM EST.
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
88th Annual Meeting (Portland, 2023)
Michael D’Aprix
Tara Skipton
Sandra Lorena López Varela
Angela J. Neller
Ricardo Rodolfo Antorcha Pedemonte
Thiago Kater Pinto
Nora Viviana Franco
Suzan Granados
Andrea Shiverdecker
Alicia Fritz
Jordi A. Rivera Prince
Cuauhtémoc Vidal Guzmán
Christopher Wai
María Fernanda Martínez Polanco
Jennifer Chen
James William-Robert Moore
Jordan Thompson
Matthew Podolinsky
Carlos Antonio Flores Manzano
Patrick Druggan
Travel Awards
Print
Deborah L. Nichols Meeting Access Grants
Nomination/Submission Deadline: 15 Nov 2025
Award Description
Click HERE to apply.
The application is now open and will close on November 15 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
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 open. Applications will close on November 15 at 3:00 p.m. EST.
Applicants may click HERE to apply.
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.
The fall round closes November 15, 2025, at 3:00 PM EST.
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
88th Annual Meeting (Portland, 2023)
Michael D’Aprix
Tara Skipton
Sandra Lorena López Varela
Angela J. Neller
Ricardo Rodolfo Antorcha Pedemonte
Thiago Kater Pinto
Nora Viviana Franco
Suzan Granados
Andrea Shiverdecker
Alicia Fritz
Jordi A. Rivera Prince
Cuauhtémoc Vidal Guzmán
Christopher Wai
María Fernanda Martínez Polanco
Jennifer Chen
James William-Robert Moore
Jordan Thompson
Matthew Podolinsky
Carlos Antonio Flores Manzano
Patrick Druggan
Student Awards
Print
Deborah L. Nichols Meeting Access Grants
Nomination/Submission Deadline: 15 Nov 2025
Award Description
Click HERE to apply.
The application is now open and will close on November 15 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
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 open. Applications will close on November 15 at 3:00 p.m. EST.
Applicants may click HERE to apply.
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.
The fall round closes November 15, 2025, at 3:00 PM EST.
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
88th Annual Meeting (Portland, 2023)
Michael D’Aprix
Tara Skipton
Sandra Lorena López Varela
Angela J. Neller
Ricardo Rodolfo Antorcha Pedemonte
Thiago Kater Pinto
Nora Viviana Franco
Suzan Granados
Andrea Shiverdecker
Alicia Fritz
Jordi A. Rivera Prince
Cuauhtémoc Vidal Guzmán
Christopher Wai
María Fernanda Martínez Polanco
Jennifer Chen
James William-Robert Moore
Jordan Thompson
Matthew Podolinsky
Carlos Antonio Flores Manzano
Patrick Druggan
Student Fellowship Awards
Print
Deborah L. Nichols Meeting Access Grants
Nomination/Submission Deadline: 15 Nov 2025
Award Description
Click HERE to apply.
The application is now open and will close on November 15 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
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 open. Applications will close on November 15 at 3:00 p.m. EST.
Applicants may click HERE to apply.
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.
The fall round closes November 15, 2025, at 3:00 PM EST.
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
88th Annual Meeting (Portland, 2023)
Michael D’Aprix
Tara Skipton
Sandra Lorena López Varela
Angela J. Neller
Ricardo Rodolfo Antorcha Pedemonte
Thiago Kater Pinto
Nora Viviana Franco
Suzan Granados
Andrea Shiverdecker
Alicia Fritz
Jordi A. Rivera Prince
Cuauhtémoc Vidal Guzmán
Christopher Wai
María Fernanda Martínez Polanco
Jennifer Chen
James William-Robert Moore
Jordan Thompson
Matthew Podolinsky
Carlos Antonio Flores Manzano
Patrick Druggan
Scholarships: for undergraduate and graduate student scholarships, see the Cheryl L. Wase Memorial Scholarship, Matthew Tobin Cappetta Archaeological Scholarship, Student Excellence in Archaeology Scholarships, and Native American Scholarships.