Gil Kushner Memorial Travel Award

The Gilbert Kushner Travel Award honors the legacy of an influential SfAA Fellow and recipient of the 2005 Sol Tax Distinguished Service Award. Renowned for his pioneering role in developing applied anthropology as a graduate field, Kushner served as Chair of the University of South Florida’s Anthropology Department and Associate Dean of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Under his leadership, USF became a leading center for applied anthropology, with numerous MA and Ph.D. students in the field. Kushner strongly advocated for field experiences, believing they offer invaluable insights for anthropologists. His research, which began with studies of Indian immigrants to Israel, fostered a lifelong commitment to ethics, human rights, and the persistence of cultural groups.

Learn more about Gil Kushner

Two $750 awards are available to students who meet the following criteria:

  • Must have been enrolled as a student during part of the current year.
  • Must have an accepted paper or poster abstract for the SfAA Annual Meeting on topics related to the persistence of cultural groups.

The award helps support travel expenses to attend the SfAA Annual Meeting.

  • Submit a short essay (up to 500 words) explaining how participation in the SfAA Annual Meeting will support your professional goals. You may also discuss your interest in the persistence of cultural groups.
  • Deadline: December 20
  • Announcement: Results will be announced in January.

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John Bodley Travel Award Statement Information

Eligibility

Students must be registered for the meeting and have submitted a paper or poster abstract by the submission deadline.

Submission

Applicants must submit a short essay (up to 500 words) explaining how participation in the Annual Meeting will further your professional goals.

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Human Rights Defender Travel Award Statement Information

Eligibility

Students must be registered for the meeting and have submitted a paper or poster abstract by the submission deadline.

Submission

Applicants must submit a short essay (up to 500 words) which describes their interest in human rights, and the conjunction of this topic to their applied research interests. The essay may include a description of prior and/or current human rights advocacy activities in which the student has engaged.

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Del Jones Travel Award Statement Information

Eligibility

Students must be registered for the meeting and have submitted a paper abstract by the submission deadline. Students who are presenting a poster are not eligible.

Submission

Applicants must submit a short essay (up to 500 words) explaining how participation in the Annual Meeting will further your professional goals. The essay may also include information, which documents the interest of the applicant in efforts to transform the lives of disadvantaged peoples.

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Gil Kushner Travel Award Statement Information

Eligibility

Students must be registered for the meeting and have submitted a paper or poster abstract which has been accepted for the annual meeting program. Following the contributions of Gil’s professional life, the abstract (and paper or poster) should be concerned with the persistence of cultural groups.

Submission

Applicants must submit a short essay (up to 500 words) explaining how participation in the annual meeting will further the professional goals of the applicant. The essay may also include information, which documents the interest of the applicant in the persistence of cultural groups.

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Bea Medicine Travel Award Statement Information

Eligibility

Students must be registered for the meeting and have submitted a paper or poster abstract by the submission deadline.

Submission

Prospective student applicants should provide the following information and materials:
  • Address
  • Current College Where Enrolled
  • Major Field of Study
  • Native Tribe/Community Affiliation
  • One Page Career Goal Essay
Career Goal Essay:
Dr. Medicine's professional life was devoted to teaching and research, and with a particular commitment to expanding the understanding of Native people. As you prepare the essay on your career goals, you may wish to consider some of the following questions.
  • What would I like to do in the future and how will this benefit other people?
  • How have my career plans evolved over time and what has influenced this evolution?
  • Are there particular ways that I think the social sciences can lead to a better understanding of the human condition?
  • How would my attendance at the SfAA Annual Meeting help to further my career interests?
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Spicer Travel Award Statement Information

Eligibility

Students must be registered for the meeting and have submitted a paper abstract by the submission deadline. Students who are presenting a poster are not eligible.

Submission

Applicants must submit a short essay (up to 500 words) explaining how participation in the Annual Meeting will further your professional goals.

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Involuntary Resettlement Travel Award Statement Information

Eligibility

Students must be registered for the meeting and have submitted a paper abstract by the submission deadline. Students who are presenting a poster are not eligible.

Submission

Applicants must submit a short essay (up to 500 words) on the global implications of wide-spread displacement and involuntary resettlement which has resulted from economic development. The hazards of such displacement are well known and have a profound impact on developed countries as well as indigenous populations.

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Student Endowed Award Statement Information

Eligibility

Individuals who are currently enrolled as students -- both graduate and undergraduate, international and domestic -- may apply. Moreover, the award is not restricted to anthropology students; those enrolled in the applied social sciences and other related disciplines are also strongly encouraged to apply. Current membership in the SfAA is not required. Officers and former officers of the Student Committee may not apply. Attendance at the upcoming SfAA annual meeting is required in order to receive the award.

Submission

Submit a short essay (up to 500 words) on “How have applied theories and methods influenced your research or career goals, and how might participation in the SfAA help you to achieve these goals?” Whether you are experienced in applied methodologies or not, we encourage you to write this essay to explore the idea of how applied methods and your active membership in SfAA could inspire (or has already inspired or transformed) your research or career as a social scientist.

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Previous Recipients