Submission Deadline: Rolling

The Association of Black Anthropologists is pleased to invite applications for the John L. Gwaltney Native Anthropology Award. This award was launched with a contribution from the Gwaltney family, to honor the life and intellectual legacy of Dr. Gwaltney (1928-1988) whose interests included a strong focus on Black life in industrial cities.

The scholarship will be awarded to assist emerging scholars to further their research. Preference will be given to scholars who are ABD or post-graduate who have not held the position of Assistant Professor for more than two years, though consideration will be given to individuals whose accomplishments are comparable outside of the academic setting. Preference will also be given to scholars from the four subfields and applied practice of anthropology, but consideration will be given to those in other disciplines who meet the overall criteria. Applicants must be members of ABA. The winner or winner(s) will receive a certificate and a cash award ($500).

Proposals will be judged according to the following criteria:

  • Significance to African Americans and/or the African Diaspora
  • Evidence of the public and community engagement and/or activist nature of the research
  • Originality of the research topic
  • Organization, quality, and clarity of writing
  • Effective use of both theory and data
  • Timeliness and relevance of the topic

Application Process:

Candidates must submit a cover sheet, a two-page vita, one letter of recommendation, and an original (unpublished) essay, not to exceed 28 pages total (10,000 words), which reflects a Native Anthropology approach consistent with those espoused by John L. Gwaltney. There is a rolling deadline for applications. Essays must be original in content and research, cannot be under review by any journal, cannot have won any previous awards, or have been accepted for publication in any refereed or non-refereed journal. Candidates must also be members of ABA in order to receive this award.

The winning essay will be published (pending requested editorial changes) in Transforming Anthropology. Non-winning essays will be sent through the regular peer-review process for possible publication at a future date. The winner of the scholarship will be notified prior to the annual meeting and the award will be announced at the ABA Business meeting. By the next year, prior to the annual ABA business meeting, the scholarship recipient must submit a two-page report to the ABA President. All or parts of this report will be published in the ABA Column of Anthropology News.

Submission information:

  • Application Cover sheet
    • Name/Institution/Affiliation
    • Contact Information (phone, email, address)
    • Graduation Date (Post-graduates) or Anticipated Graduation Date (ABD students)
    • Dissertation Title (or tentative title)
  • Information about the Research Project:
    • Abstract / Synopsis of your research topic and central questions (Maximum 150 words)
    • Describe your original contributions to the scholarship on this subject matter.
    • Why is it important at this moment in time?
    • In what ways does this project involve community engagement and/or activism?
    • How is this research public in nature?
    • What is the significance to African Americans and/or the African Diaspora?
    • Methodology
    • Anticipated findings and implications for praxis
    • Planned use of funds

There is a rolling deadline for submissions. via email to the Gwaltney Research Grant Committee: Justin Hosbey, Chair, Scholarship Selection Committee – abajohngwaltneyaward@gmail.com. Please indicate “Gwaltney Research Scholarship Submission” in the subject line of your email. Questions may also be sent to this address.

You will receive a confirmation that your proposal has been received. Electronic versions of the application should be formatted as either a PDF file or a Microsoft Word document. Only one submission per person will be accepted.