SAA Native American Scholarships

The Native American Scholarships Endowment Fund was established in 1988 to foster a shared purpose and positive interaction between archaeologists and Native peoples. Since 1998, income from the fund has supported the Arthur C. Parker Scholarship, and in 2009, two more awards were added to support undergraduate and graduate study in archaeology.

Funding for these scholarships comes from individual donations, a silent auction at the SAA Annual Meeting, and external grants.

Scholarships Offered

1. SAA Arthur C. Parker Scholarship for Archaeological Training for Native Americans Supports archaeological training for Native American students or employees of tribal, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian cultural preservation programs.

• Up to $6,000
• Any form of archaeological training is eligible (not limited to field schools)
• Learn more about Arthur C. Parker (1881–1955)
• 1 award available

2. SAA Native American Undergraduate Archaeology Scholarship Supports undergraduate studies in archaeology. Funding may cover tuition, travel, food, housing, books, supplies, equipment, dependent care, medical expenses, archival research costs, and analysis costs.

• Up to $6,000
• 1 award available

3. SAA Native American Graduate Archaeology Scholarship Supports graduate-level studies in archaeology. Funding may cover tuition, travel, food, housing, books, supplies, equipment, dependent care, medical expenses, archival research costs, and analysis costs.

• Up to $10,000
• 1 award available

4. Bertha Parker Cody Award for Native American Women Supports undergraduate and graduate studies in archaeology or museum studies. Funding may cover tuition, travel, food, housing, books, supplies, equipment, and child care.

• Open to all Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women, including gender non-conforming individuals.
• Partially funded by the Autry Museum of the American West.
• Up to $6,000
• Learn more about Bertha Parker Cody (1907–1978)
• 1 award available

Eligibility

Scholarships are open to:

• All Native peoples from anywhere in the Americas
• Alaska Natives
• Native Hawaiians
• Indigenous Pacific Islanders

Some awards have additional eligibility requirements (see descriptions above).

Submitting An Application

Applications may be submitted in one of two ways:

• Online: Applicants may complete and submit through the Google Form.
• By Email: Applicants may download the Word application form, complete it, and send it along with all required materials to  nasf@saa.org.

Applicants who do not receive a confirmation email should contact Emilia Chape, SAA DEIJ Specialist, at emilia_chape@saa.org

Application Materials

Applicants must submit:

• Application Form (Google Form or Word download)
• Two letters of recommendation, including one from a current SAA member in good standing
• Personal Statement (max. 2 pages) describing interest in archaeology/museum studies and future contributions
• Itemized Budget (download template) with explanation of financial need and how funds will be applied
• Proof of Native identity (e.g., Tribal Enrollment Card, official council letter, birth certificate, or a statement outlining genealogy/ancestry)

APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO READ THE APPLICATION FORM CAREFULLY FOR DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS AND ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS.

Other Requirements

Before an award is finalized, recipients must certify that:

• They have not been the subject of a discrimination or harassment lawsuit (or related administrative complaint) that resulted in an adverse finding.
• They do not have a current or pending disciplinary action (such as suspension or termination of registration) from the Register of Professional Archaeologists.