The Archaeology Collection contains the material remains of prehistoric and historic cultures from throughout Alaska, as well as comparative collections from cultures outside the state. The collection consists of over 5,000 accessions, representing more than 750,000 catalog entries. The accessions represent sites dating from 11,000+ BP to 20th century historic sites, providing an internationally recognized research base for the entire range of human occupation of the Arctic.

The Archaeology Department, in cooperation with the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management, will be leading a module in the Alaska Summer Research Academy. Students will have the opportunity to learn about archaeology and Alaska's past by participating in historical archaeology excavations in Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve.

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Description and Eligibility:
The University of Alaska Museum of the North (UAM) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Fairbanks are co-sponsoring a research fellowship to cover expenses to conduct research with existing archaeological collections at UAM.  The museum’s archaeological collections include significant holdings from all periods of human occupation of Alaska . In particular, the BLM has more than 1,300 accessioned collections at UAM, containing an estimated 500,000 to 700,000 artifacts. In their proposal (see Application Procedure, below), the successful candidate for this fellowship will use, at least in part, BLM collections at the museum. Applicants must be currently enrolled graduate or undergraduate students, and eligibility is NOT restricted to University of Alaska students. Research projects must be done primarily at the museum, using existing archaeological collections, although projects may also use other collections, including those from other UAM departments.
 
Application Procedure:
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Archaeology Collections Manager, James Whitney (fnjww1 @uaf.edu; 907-474-6943), to discuss prospective projects prior to submission for help in identifying an appropriate collection(s). They should then submit a proposal describing (1) their research questions and methods, (2) collections to be used, (3) proposed work schedule. Chosen students are responsible for making all of their own travel arrangements and accommodations. 
 
The visit must be completed within a 1 month time frame prior to August 30, 2009. Awardees must submit a project description to be posted on the UAM website, two copies of a progress report outlining what was accomplished submitted by September 30, 2009, and two copies of a final report on their work once the research is completed.
 
Projects that require destructive analyses must obtain permission from the Curator of Archaeology and/or collection’s owner before the application is submitted. Proposals are limited to a narrative of no more than five double-spaced pages in at least 12 point font, plus two pages for the applicant’s CV, and one page each for work schedule and budget. Proposals should also include a letter from the student’s academic advisor indicating support for the proposed research. Submit applications in MS Word or Adobe pdf format to fnjww1 @uaf.edu.

Deadline: February 15, 2009

Review Process and Selection Criteria:

Proposals will be reviewed by UAM and BLM staff and will be judged on the basis of academic quality and feasibility.
 
Award: The maximum award is $4000 including travel, lodging, and per diem.
 
Notification:   March 15, 2009

Additional Information:
For additional information, please contact James Whitney, Archaeology Collections Manager at fnjww1@uaf.edu