shovelbum
Observer
Looking for companies to sponsor an undergraduate scholarship/grant
NOT FOR ME
NOT FOR ME
I'm an archaeology graduate student at Arizona State University and also work there as a research archaeologist. When I was an undergraduate, I was lucky enough to be mentored by a few grad students who helped me get the training, experience, and publications necessary to get accepted into grad school. That process has become extremely competetive and good grades alone won't get you in. So it's important to me to pay it forward. I have been working hard to help out a number of undergraduates who are serious about their education and archaeological research.
One of the best things these young students can do to improve their chances of grad school acceptance is to present original research at an international conference. It demonstrates committment to the profession, dedication to research, ability to do research, and willingness to share data. It also frequently leads to publication and definitely helps in the networking department. Unfortunately, they aren't free and these undergrads aren't rich (or living off their parents).
The largest archaeological conference, run by the largest archaelogical society (SAA.org) will next be held in Sacramento, CA from March 30-April 3, 2011. Short abstracts for proposed papers must be submitted online by September 8 of this year. Many of the undergrads won't even submit unless they can find funding ahead of time. Unfortunately, ASU had to cancel their only undergrad travel grant because of the current economic crisis.
So last night, a light went off in my head. What about private sponsorship? What if a corporation, such as yours, was willing to create a one-time (or annual) travel grant to help one or more of these students out? This would kill multiple birds with one stone.
- it would help out a deserving student and thus make you feel good
- it would probably be a write-off for your company
- the student would verbally and graphically acknowledge your support, giving you valuable exposure in a discipline that REQUIRES overland vehicles and support
- the student could include the grant/scholarship on their CV
- they would have a conference presentation on their CV
- and it would likely lead to a publication (which they can do at no cost) which can go on their CV
The amount would obviously be up to the sponsor(s), but I can give you some info for consideration. The SAA (and most smaller) conferences require annual membership (~$100) and a paper submittal fee (~$100). If the paper is accepted, the submittal fee covers conference entry. Membership includes access to online research databases, networking priveleges, and a journal subscription. So after about $200, the only other expenses would be travel, lodging, and food.
If you wanted to do an annual grant competition, it would be hard to get the word out in time. If you wanted to do a one-time sponsorship or an ASU-specific pilot for this year, I am more than willing to help you set it all up. I know the Undergraduate Anthropology Association officers and the Anthro department's staff liaisons. Which reminds me, this probably shouldn't be archaeology specific, but rather open to all sub-disciplines within anthropology, but that would be up to you. Anyway, I would suggest that applying students be instructed to write a two-page synopsis of their research, including their findings, broader impacts on society, where they'd like to present and why, whether they've already been accepted in a symposium, and what their attendance would mean to them. I could arrange for a panel of senior anthropology professors to read and score the essays. You could also sit on the panel yourself if you wanted. You could even mandate that part of the essay address why the "spirit of adventure" is critical to their research or something along those lines.
I would also suggest that you not give the money out up front, but rather promise to reimburse the student(s). This would eliminate any chance of you getting screwed financially if the awardee had to cancel at the last-minute. Such a policy would also narrow the field down to committed contestants. Reimbursement programs work well, as students can put the expenses on credit cards and later pay them off. Helps their credit rating, right?
Full disclosure time. I know some of the students who would apply for this, so I shouldn't be involved in the jury process. I am also an SAA member (required for my own presentations), but not a board member, shill, etc.
Okay, I hope this works. These are great kids doing great (but undiscovered!) research. Something like money shouldn't stand in their way. If I had any myself, I would help them out, but I don't. (Want to sponsor me too? :smiley_drive
If you could help, it'd mean a lot to them and go far toward getting the overlanding lifestyle and ethic out there in the mainstream.Thanks, Will
