Awards & Grants
About SPA Awards & Grants
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.
Eligibility
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.
Nominations
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.
Applications
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 & Notification
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.
Recipients may be:
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.
Archey Award
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
Publications or reports
Public speaking and education
Mentorship and outreach
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.
J. Alden Mason Award
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.
Eligible nominees:
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.
Eligible nominees:
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.
Application process:
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)
CONTACT:
Paul Raber,
Heberling Associates, Inc.,
904 Main Street,
PO Box 376,
Alexandria, PA, 16611
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.
The Award Includes
$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.
Application Process
Completed papers must be submitted electronically to:
Janet Johnson,
JRJ.paarch@gmail.com
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.
John Witthoft Award
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.
Frances Dorrance Award
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.
Research Grants
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.
Key details:
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.
Cowin Award
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.
Graybill Research Fund
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.
Funding may support:
Field investigations
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
Notification: By March 1
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: $1,500 per applicant
Notification: By March 1