Research and Travel Funding

Research provides an opportunity for undergraduate anthropology students to enhance the learning obtained in their classroom coursework.  Application of required skills allows development of a deeper appreciation of the discipline and clarification of career goals.  And the satisfaction of completing a research project creates confidence in a student's ability to perform in the chosen field of study.

The Department of Anthropology offer students an opportunity to receive financial support from two awards, the Monica and Brand Fortner Endowment  and the Peter M. Weil Travel Award established for the purpose of supporting undergraduate research. 

Previous recipients of Monica and Brand Fortner Endowment awards

Previous recipients of the Peter M. Weil Travel awards

During summer 2019, Claire traveled to Austria to work with an anthropological research team led by Dr. Adam Fracchia. In conjunction with the U.S. Department of Defense, the team is recovering and identifying remains of military personnel Missing in Action in World War II. Their research focuses on downed military aircraft sites.

During winter session 2019, Amy Ciminnisi interned in the NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation) office at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in Philadelphia, commonly known as the Penn Museum. She photographed and conducted research on an archaeological collection of more than forty artifacts, and worked with the collections, museum and archival documentation, and published sources. Ciminnisi also updated the Museum’s collections database through the addition of reference photographs, bibliographic information, and catalogue cards. The information she gathered will support the Penn Museum’s compliance with NAGPRA.

UD ​Center for Material Culture Studies Grants- Graduate student and undergraduate grants (such as the Finkel Fund in Support of Cultural Internships), Deadlines: Nov. 1 and March 15

UD Summer Scholars Program- Selected undergraduates, generally sophomores and juniors, conduct in-depth research or creative work with University faculty. Students in the Summer Scholars Program work on their projects full-time for ten weeks in the summer under the supervision of a faculty member.  Each Scholar will receive a stipend of $4,000.  Please contact the Undergraduate Research Program with any questions regarding Summer Scholars eligibility or how to get involved in the program. Deadline: March 1st

UD Honors Enrichment Awards- Students can apply for up to $3,000 to assist with non-credit bearing activities related to their academic or professional pursuits.

UD Plastino Scholars- Grants for outstanding University of Delaware undergraduate students to realize their dreams by supporting them in self-designed, off-campus learning experiences that create a difference in their lives and in the lives of others. Maximum award $6,000.

UD Research Apprenticeship Work-Study- Facilitates the relationship between low income, economically disadvantaged freshman and sophomore students who are just starting out in their fields of interests and research faculty at the University of Delaware.

UD Institute for Global Studies Scholarship and Funding- A variety of scholarship and funding opportunities for students and faculty.