The Fund
The IAS Research and Education fund provides financial assistance to individual IAS members and IAS chapters for the purposes of conducting archaeological research in the state and disseminating information about the state’s prehistoric and historic past. Funds may be used in a variety of ways. Examples include:
- field school expenses
- excavation supplies
- specialized analyses
- travel expenses
- exhibit supplies
- books, videos, etc., for chapter use
- speakers’ honoraria
- artifact casts
Funds may not be used to supplement the budget of any contract-related research project. Funds also may not be used to pay for archaeological fieldwork outside the state or for travel to visit archaeological sites in other states. Funds may be used for travel outside the state for the purpose of conducting research related to some aspect of Iowa archaeology (e.g., for documentary research related to Iowa sites or for documentation of artifact collections from Iowa sites).
Who May Apply for Funding
Any IAS member in good standing and all IAS chapters may apply. Student members may apply provided they arrange for sponsorship by an adult mentor who is also an IAS member.
How to Apply
Applicants are required to submit a letter of application to the IAS Board of Directors, which will include the following:
- a detailed description of the project to be undertaken
- a project schedule (including starting and completion dates)
- a list of the principal personnel involved
- a detailed budget showing how the money would be spent
Proposals may be submitted at any time. Those received before May 1 of a given year will be considered at the summer meeting of the IAS Board; those received after May 1 will be considered at the winter meeting of the IAS Board.
The Review Process
All requests are reviewed by the Research and Education Fund committee. The committee consists of the IAS vice president, treasurer, two board members appointed by the president, and the State Archaeologist. The committee must include at least one avocational archeologist.
The Research and Education Fund Committee will utilize, but not be limited to, the following criteria in making funding recommendations:
- fund availability
- archaeological/historical significance of site(s) involved
- relevance to the interests of the IAS membership
- application meets minimum requirements (who can apply; how to apply)
- has applicant recently received RE funds?
The Committee may also make recommendations to the Board concerning the nature of the recipient’s responsibilities to report to the IAS. For example, a presentation at an IAS meeting, a videotape of the project, a written report for inclusion in the IAS newsletter or journal.
Any RE Fund Committee member or board member applying for RE funds must recuse him or herself from the decision making process involving their application.
Written summaries of all requests and the committee’s recommendations as to which projects should be funded will be presented to the full board at the winter and summer board meetings. Recipients will be informed of the Board’s decisions on project funding within two weeks following the Board meeting.
Obligations of Funding Recipients
Anyone receiving financial assistance from the Research and Education Fund must report to the IAS membership on the outcome of the project. The IAS Board will stipulate the nature of such reporting, which can include a written component (i.e., for the IAS newsletter or journal) or a verbal component (such as a presentation at an IAS membership meeting).
Following completion of the project, an accounting of funds will be made to the Board by a deadline stipulated by the Board. Receipts for all expenses will be submitted and any unexpended funds returned to the treasurer.