Dissertation Fellowship for Historically Underrepresented Persons in Anthropology

The Award

The American Anthropological Association invites minority doctoral candidates in anthropology to apply for a dissertation writing fellowship of $10,000. The annual Dissertation Fellowship for Historically Underrepresented Persons in Anthropology (formerly the Minority Dissertation Award) is intended to encourage members of racialized minorities to complete doctoral degrees in anthropology, thereby increasing diversity in the discipline and/or promoting research on issues of concern among minority populations. Dissertation topics in all areas of the discipline are welcome. Doctoral students who require financial assistance to complete the write-up phase of the dissertation are urged to apply.

A nonrenewable dissertation fellowship of $10,000 will be provided annually to one anthropology graduate student. In addition, the fellowship award winner will receive paid registration to the annual meeting and reimbursement travel to the annual meeting from the Yolanda T. Moses Minority Travel Fund.

Read about past award recipients.

Eligibility

An applicant must be: 

1. A member of a historically underrepresented U.S. racialized minority group such as African Americans, Alaska Natives, American Indians or Native Americans, Asian Americans, Latino/as, Chicano/as, or Pacific Islanders.
2. Graduated from a U.S. high school or completed a GED certificate in the U.S.
3. Enrolled in a full-time academic program leading to a doctoral degree in anthropology at the time of application.
4. Admitted to degree candidacy before the dissertation fellowship is awarded.
5. A member of the American Anthropological Association.
6. Applicants must have had their dissertation proposals approved by their dissertation committees prior to application.

*Students of any sub-field or specialty in anthropology will receive equal consideration

Nomination Requirements

• Candidates must have a record of outstanding academic achievement.
• Applicants must be members of the American Anthropological Association at least one month prior to submitting materials for the AAA Minority Dissertation Fellowship Program.
• Applicants must have had their dissertation proposals approved by their dissertation committees prior to application.
• The dissertation research must be in an area of anthropological research.
• The recipient of the fellowship must be in need of a fellowship to complete the dissertation. The applicant will be required to provide information regarding their current financial and funding situation.

Application Requirements

• Cover Letter
• Research Plan/Summary of Dissertation
• Official Transcript
• Curriculum Vitae/Resume
• Statement Regarding Employment
• Disclosure Statement
• Bibliography of References
• Recommendation Letter

Guidelines

Award recipients are expected to serve on the selection committee for the following two years.

Submission Deadline: March 15

Questions and concerns should be directed to Meagan Shirley mshirley@americananthro.org