The Archaeological Institute of America is accepting applications for its suite of Traveling Fellowships, offering U.S.-based scholars in classical archaeology and related disciplines the opportunity to conduct extended research and study across the Mediterranean world and beyond. With a shared deadline of November 1, 2026, the two primary traveling fellowships support dissertation researchers and early-career scholars at a critical stage in their academic development.
About the AIA Traveling Fellowships Program
Established over a century ago and administered by the Archaeological Institute of America, one of North America’s oldest and most influential archaeological organizations, the Traveling Fellowships program supports research-focused travel to major archaeological and classical sites. The two flagship awards, the Olivia James Traveling Fellowship and the John R. Coleman Traveling Fellowship, are distinct in geographic focus and eligibility criteria but share the same application deadline and review process. A third exchange fellowship, the C. Brian Rose AIA/DAI Fellowship for Study in the U.S., operates on the same timeline and supports German-based scholars for academic residencies at U.S. institutions. Recipients of any award are expected to submit a report to the AIA Fellowships Committee following their tenure and to present at the AIA Annual Meeting within two years of completing the fellowship.
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Funding Size
- Olivia James Traveling Fellowship: up to $26,000
- John R. Coleman Traveling Fellowship: up to $12,000
- C. Brian Rose AIA/DAI Fellowship for Study in the U.S.: travel expenses, housing or housing contribution, library privileges, and a living stipend
- AIA fellowship funds may not be used for institutional overhead, indirect costs, or administrative recovery charges
Who Can Apply
Olivia James Traveling Fellowship:
- U.S. citizens only
- Current AIA members at the Graduate or Professional level
- Preference for applicants engaged in dissertation research or who received their PhD within five years of the November 1 deadline
- Recipients may not hold other major fellowships concurrently
John R. Coleman Traveling Fellowship:
- Applicants must be engaged in dissertation research in a U.S. graduate program
- Current AIA members at the Graduate or Professional level
C. Brian Rose AIA/DAI Fellowship for Study in the U.S.:
- Archaeologists with a PhD or architects with their professional diploma
- Employed by the Deutsches Archäologisches Institut
- Early-career researchers given preference
Geographic Eligibility
- Olivia James Fellowship: travel and study in Greece, the Aegean Islands, Cyprus, Sicily, southern Italy, Turkey, and Mesopotamia
- Coleman Fellowship: travel and study in Italy, the western Mediterranean, or North Africa
- AIA/DAI Fellowship: residency at the University of Cincinnati, UCLA, or Brown University in the United States
Sector or Thematic Focus
- Classical archaeology and ancient Mediterranean studies
- Dissertation research in Greek, Roman, and Near Eastern archaeological contexts
- Art history, architectural history, and cultural studies of the ancient world
- Exchange scholarship between U.S. and German archaeological institutions
Application Process
All materials, including references and transcripts, must be submitted through the AIA online application portal before the November 1 deadline. Late or incomplete submissions are not considered. Applicants must be current AIA members at the time of application and should confirm membership status before beginning their submission.
Required Materials
- Completed online application form
- Project proposal describing the research and travel plan
- Curriculum vitae with list of publications
- Two letters of reference submitted by the November 1 deadline
- Academic transcripts where applicable
Key Dates
- Application deadline: 1 November 2026
- Awards announced: by 1 March 2027
- Fellowship tenure: July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2028
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Selection Notes
- All application materials including references must arrive by the November 1 deadline without exception
- Olivia James recipients may not hold other major fellowships during the award period
- Fellows are required to acknowledge AIA support in all publications arising from fellowship-funded research