Shepard Urgent Action Grants

The Shepard Urgent Action Grants, offered by the American Society of Overseas Research (ASOR), provide funding between $2,500 and $10,000 for emergency conservation projects at archaeological sites in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions. In 2025, $15,000 is available, with applications opening again in January 2026. These grants support urgent activities only, ensuring that vital archaeological work can be promptly undertaken to protect and stabilize sites facing immediate threats.

About ASOR
ASOR is apolitical and has no religious affiliation.
Grants for Archaeological Projects
In the summer of 2007, ASOR renewed its emphasis on providing funding grants and fellowships that allow individuals to participate in excavations in the Eastern Mediterranean. Since 2007, ASOR has awarded more than $986,000 to 740 researchers and students through scholarships for fieldwork participants, grants for archaeological projects, research fellowships for members, and membership and annual meeting scholarships. The grants below support archaeological projects and project directors.
ASOR plans to award two to four grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 to projects to carry out emergency conservation or stabilization activities at archaeological sites in the wider Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions. The total amount available for 2025 Shepard Grants is $15,000.
Because these grants are intended for emergency (or truly urgent) activities, ASOR will strive to provide a response within four to six weeks from submission of the application. Funds are normally available within 5-10 business days after all paperwork has been completed by successful applicants.
Established in 2020 with annual contributions, the “Shepard Urgent Action Grants” program was created to support emergency and rapid response activities on archaeological sites in the greater Mediterranean region. While preference will be given to excavation projects and teams with current ASOR affiliation, applications will be considered from all projects. Non-affiliated teams may apply for affiliation at the same time that they submit a Shepard Urgent Action Grant application.

Eligibility

The applications should be submitted by the director of the project. Please include the project conservator or other conservation professional in the application.Applications will be accepted from any excavation project in the wider Middle Eastern and Mediterranean regions (see ASOR’s mission statement).These “rapid response” grants are intended to be for emergency or urgent activities and not for regular excavation activities. The following are examples (not an inclusive list) of activities that might be considered:Emergency documentation, stabilization or excavation of an archaeological site (or archaeological feature) that has been damaged by looting, vandalism, conflict, or natural causes.
Emergency documentation, stabilization or excavation of an archaeological site or feature that is endangered by sudden environmental change (e.g., if a lake is expected to cover a site because of a newly constructed dam).
Emergency protection of an archaeological site or feature that is in imminent danger from looting, vandalism, conflict or natural causes.
Emergency stabilization of a critical site element or feature that is on the verge of structural failure or other severe deterioration, as a result of excavation.
Emergency conservation treatment of unexpected or extraordinary finds from an excavation site (e.g., important evidence discovered unexpectedly and in urgent need of conservation before proper documentation and long-term conservation can be carried out).Applications should include evidence that site conditions necessitate urgent action and that the proposed urgent documentation, stabilization and/or conservation activities will be accomplished successfully with the funds provided.Applications should include documentation (or a statement) that demonstrates that the applicants have the necessary permission(s) and authority to carry out the proposed work or activities.Only one application from an excavation project or site will be funded in any given year.Applicants are encouraged to provide matching funds.

Ineligibility

Shepard Urgent Action Grants are not designed to fund travel for student volunteers or staff, nor are they intended to support dig participation fees. The grants are not intended to support research or excavation activities that could be postponed or delayed for six or more months. Rather, these grants are intended to support conservation, stabilization, excavation and/or documentation activities that are truly urgent.