NYAC Awards
The New York Archaeological Council (NYAC) offers three awards presented to individuals based on successful nominations by members of the archaeological community. The awards include: Student Research, Founders, and Lifetime Achievement.
Student Research Award
The New York Archaeological Council (NYAC) offers up to two annual student awards of $250. The competition is open to any undergraduate or graduate student performing research on a topic related to New York State Archaeology.
Both research papers and posters (with supporting documents) are eligible based on data derived from Cultural Resource Management (CRM) projects as well as a broad range of research activities in, or related to, New York State. Student research makes a significant contribution to the advancement of archaeology. The award is viewed as a way of recognizing and supporting students considering a career in archaeology.
Awardees will be offered a one-year membership in NYAC and will be encouraged to submit the paper for publication in regional journals, such as Northeastern Anthropology.
Evaluation Criteria
The award will be restricted to research, historic or precontact, conducted within New York State, or related to New York State archaeology. Research may include data collected from recent field research or from research on extant collections. Papers/posters should include a statement of the research problem, theoretical perspective, research objectives, analysis of data, conclusions, and contributions of the research to local, regional, and national archaeology. NYAC encourages the use of CRM data but does not accept contract reports.
Format
Manuscripts are limited to 30 pages or less, double-spaced. Follow the style guide used for American Antiquity: https://documents.saa.org/container/docs/default-source/doc-publications/style-guide/saa-style-guide_english_updated_2021_final08023c15928949dabd02faafb269fb1c.pdf?sfvrsn=c1f41c1b_2
Poster submittals should follow current professional guidance.
Submission
The submission package includes an electronic version (Word for manuscripts, pdf for posters) consisting of a nomination letter from a faculty member or research sponsor and the manuscript/poster. Submit to:
Nina M. Versaggi
Chair, NYAC Awards Committee
nversagg@binghamton.eduThe award will be announced at the New York Archaeological Council’s annual meeting.
Founders Award
The NYAC Founders Award recognizes individuals (professional archaeologists, avocational archaeologists, and non-archaeologists) who have assisted with historic preservation and research efforts in New York State. This award honors individuals who have assisted in historic preservation efforts, and/or who have contributed substantially to our knowledge of the archaeological past.
Format
Individuals nominating someone for the Founder’s Award should submit a letter outlining the nominees’ contributions to preservation and archaeology. Letters of support from others familiar with the individual’s contributions are encouraged but not required.
Submission
Submit an electronic (Word or pdf) version of the nomination package (letter and other supporting documents) to:
Nina M. Versaggi
Chair, NYAC Awards Committee
nversagg@binghamton.eduThe award will be announced at the New York Archaeological Council’s annual meeting.
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the field of archaeology, cultural resource management, or community outreach through instruction, research & scholarship, and/or leadership & service, over a minimum of 25 years. This is not an annual award, but instead intends to honor individuals who have achieved outstanding levels of contributions to archaeology.
Eligibility
Nominees must be current or past members of NYAC. A nominee’s name may not be submitted posthumously.
Nominees will be evaluated based upon contributions in one or more of the following areas:
- Instruction: an individual’s contribution to teaching and inspiring new generations of archaeologists, particularly in the Northeastern U.S. (but not limited to this geographic region); and/or
- Advancement of the profession of archaeology: an individual’s mastery of key components of archaeological research, and contributions of new knowledge in the field of archaeology, cultural resource management, or community outreach as documented in terms of publications (number and type) and grants/contracts; and/or
- Sustained Leadership/Service: individuals who exemplify leadership and service in the field of archaeology, cultural resource management, or community outreach at the local, regional and/or national levels related to the ethical conduct of archaeology.
Submission
Submit an electronic (Word or pdf) version of the nomination package (letter and other supporting documents) to:
Nina M. Versaggi
Chair, NYAC Awards Committee
nversagg@binghamton.eduThe award will be announced at the New York Archaeological Council’s annual meeting.
Deadline for All Nominations
Submit the names of nominees and award category by January 15.
Submit the complete nomination package by March 1.