[Archaeological Institute of America](https://www.archaeological.org)

November 1, 2025

$26,000 for up to one year of travel and study

Supports extended travel and research in the Mediterranean and Near East for early-career archaeologists and related scholars.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens and AIA members at the graduate or professional level.

--- ## Description The Olivia James Traveling Fellowship, administered by the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA), provides a substantial award to support travel and study in regions including Greece, Cyprus, the Aegean Islands, Sicily, southern Italy, Asia Minor (Turkey), and Mesopotamia (modern Iraq, parts of Syria, and eastern Turkey). The fellowship is designed to further research in classical archaeology and related fields through fieldwork, study of artifacts, archival research, and scholarly exploration. Preference is given to projects lasting at least six months and to those engaged in dissertation research or within five years post-PhD. The fellowship does not support field excavation projects or institutional overhead. --- ## Due Dates - Application deadline: November 1, 2025 - Award notification: By March 1, 2026 - Fellowship tenure: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 --- ## Funding Amount - $26,000 for up to one year of travel and study - Funds are intended for travel and direct research expenses (not for institutional overhead or indirect costs) - Reasonable expenses for dependent or elder care may be included --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be U.S. citizens - Must be a current [AIA member](https://www.archaeological.org/join/) at the Graduate or Professional level - Preference for: - Doctoral candidates (especially those working on dissertation research) - Scholars who received their PhD within five years of the application deadline - May not hold other major fellowships during the tenure of the Olivia James award - Not open to current AIA officers, Governing Board members, staff, Fellowships Committee members, or their immediate families --- ## Application Process - All application materials, including references and transcripts, must be received by November 1, 2025 - Application components: - Completed online application form ([access here](https://www.archaeological.org/programs/professionals/grants-awards/applications/aia-fellowships/); login required) - Detailed project proposal (max 1,000 words) - 200-word abstract of research goals - Curriculum vitae or résumé - Two letters of reference (submitted electronically) - Graduate transcript(s) if doctorate not yet awarded - Justified budget and list of financial resources - Itinerary of travel and research locations - Selected bibliography (max 1 page) - [Full guidelines and requirements](https://www.archaeological.org/programs/professionals/grants-awards/fellowship-guide/) - At the conclusion of the fellowship, recipients must submit a report and are expected to present their research at the AIA Annual Meeting --- ## Additional Information - The majority of travel must be within the eligible regions (Greece, Cyprus, Aegean Islands, Sicily, southern Italy, Asia Minor, Mesopotamia) - The fellowship is not intended to support field excavation projects - The AIA is committed to equal opportunity and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds - Allowable expenses may include dependent and elder care as part of the AIA's support for fieldwork and families --- ## External Links - [Program Overview and Application Instructions](https://www.archaeological.org/grant/james-traveling-fellowship/) - [AIA Fellowship Requirements & Application Guidelines](https://www.archaeological.org/programs/professionals/grants-awards/fellowship-guide/) - [AIA Fellowship Application Form](https://www.archaeological.org/programs/professionals/grants-awards/applications/aia-fellowships/) - [AIA Membership Information](https://www.archaeological.org/join/) - [Past Fellowship Recipients](https://www.archaeological.org/grant/james-traveling-fellowship/#recipients) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | |------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|---------------| | AIA Fellowship Coordinator | [fellowships@archaeological.org](mailto:fellowships@archaeological.org) | 857-305-9350 | | General AIA Contact | [Contact Form](https://www.archaeological.org/contact/) | |

Olivia James Traveling Fellowship

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