The 2025 NMAC Member Grant

The NMAC Grants Program was established in the late 1990s to provide a source of funding for research, preservation efforts, travel, or publication expenses directly related to the mission and purposes of the Council. Grant requests specifically targeting New Mexico archaeology are given first priority. Since its inception, this successful program has distributed over $44,000 to worthy causes.

A Few Examples Include:

• AMS dating of grooved curved sticks from the Maxwell Museum collections
• Investigations of radiation exposure by prehistoric peoples of northern NM
• INAA of Chuska Gray Ware ceramics consumed in Chaco Canyon
• Obsidian procurement at Zuni Pueblo
• AMS dating of atlatls in the MIAC collections
• Petrographic analysis of sherds from Plaza Montoya Pueblo
• INAA on sherds from Chaco Canyon and the San Juan Basin
• Publication assistance for Thirty-Five Years of Archaeological Research at Salmon Ruins
• Dendrochronology studies on culturally modified trees
• Travel assistance to research Blackwater Draw projectile points housed in Texas
• Lead isotope analysis for glazeware ceramics on the Pajarito Plateau
• Residue analysis of White Mountain Red and Smudged Wares
• Canada Alamosa ceramic studies
• Faunal analysis for Chamisal Pueblo

In 2025, up to $3000 will be available for statewide distribution. This fund is tied to earnings from NMAC workshop fees and investments. The NMAC Grant Committee will review all applications received on or before May 15, 2025, and notify submitters by June 1, 2025. Independent researchers and others working outside of academia are strongly encouraged to apply.

Priority will be given to NMAC members before applications from non-members are considered; interested non-members may join online on the NMAC membership page.

NMAC does not directly fund salaries but would cover volunteer expenses. Individual grants may be made for all or a portion of the total amount available. Applications will be considered and amounts will be awarded at the sole discretion of the NMAC Grants Committee. This volunteer committee is made up of five NMAC members with varied professional interests and from all portions of the state. NMAC grant funds are disbursed up to the amount of the award upon receipt of bills, invoices, or proof of payment.

Proposals should be in the form of application letters (no more than three pages if possible), although supplemental information and articles are welcomed. Student applications should be endorsed by a faculty member. Send requests and supporting documents (brief vita, authorization of landowner/ interested parties, etc.) to the Grants Committee Chair via email at pleckman@sricrm.com. Conditions of the awards include (1) acknowledgment of NMAC in any paper, publication, or presentation resulting from the funding and (2) preparation of a brief project summary for publication in NewsMAC upon project completion.

The 2025 Ethan Kalosky Memorial Student Grant

The New Mexico Archaeological Council is pleased to announce a new grant program focused on supporting research and travel by graduate students and undergraduates studying New Mexico archaeology at New Mexico-based public universities, tribal colleges, or community colleges. The goal of this program is to support the work of emerging professionals and encourage greater diversity and inclusion within the field of archaeology.

This program will have an annual award of $2,500. That funding will be split into two awards, up to $1,500 grant to a graduate student/s and up to $1,000 grant to an undergraduate student/s.

Priority will be given to NMAC members before applications from non-members are considered; interested non-members may join online on the NMAC membership page.

The grant application consists of three questions, a CV or resume, and a basic budget detailing how the requested funds should be spent. All applications should be endorsed by a faculty member familiar with the student’s work.

The application questions will be:
(1) Please tell us about yourself, and your career goals and objectives (250 words or less)
(2) Please tell us how you plan to use this funding (400 words or less)
(3) How will this funding advance your career goals (200 words or less).

Proposals are evaluated on both their research value and the ability to contribute to an emerging professional’s career. Particular focus will be given to students from communities underrepresented in professional archaeology in New Mexico, those who grew up in New Mexico, and first generation higher education students.

Grants can be used to support:

• Archaeological research (including travel costs and special analyses)
• Travel to present original research at a professional conference
• Travel to a professional conference as a non-presenter (undergraduates only)
• Costs of field school (undergraduate only)

Conditions of award include (1) acknowledgment of NMAC in any paper, publication, or presentation resulting from the funding and (2) preparation of a brief summary of how the funds were used for publication in NewsMAC upon project completion.

HOW TO APPLY
• Send applications and supporting documents to the Grants Committee Chair via email at pleckman@sricrm.com.
• The NMAC Grant Committee will review all applications received on or before May 15, 2025, and notify submitters by June 1, 2025.