William S. Pollitzer Student Travel Awards Grant

William S. Pollitzer Student Travel Awards Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: American Association of Biological Anthropologists
Amount: US $595
Last Updated: November 19, 2025

Summary

The William S. Pollitzer Student Travel Awards, named after a prominent Human Biologist, support AABA student members in attending annual meetings. This initiative not only alleviates financial burdens but also encourages participation from underrepresented groups. By engaging in biological anthropology discussions, students can showcase the relevance of their research amidst shifting political landscapes, emphasizing how bioanthropological insights contribute to societal well-being and warrant continued funding.

Overview

William S. Pollitzer Student Travel Award The Pollitzer Student Travel Awards are designed to help students defray the costs of attending the AABA meetings. The awards are named in honor of William S. Pollitzer, a Human Biologist who taught at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, a Darwin Lifetime Achievement Awardee, and past president of the AABA. 2026 Essay Topic: Recent legislative shifts in the US political landscape have significantly impacted science, healthcare, immigration, and pedagogy, among other areas that intersect with biological anthropology. As an advocate for science, write an op-ed for the general public that convinces readers of the importance of biological anthropology amid these changes. Specifically, how can bioanthropological perspectives and research improve lives? In your letter, provide examples from published research–and/or from your own research– that demonstrate how biological anthropology is relevant, beneficial, and worthy of funding.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. This award is open to all AABA student members (undergraduate and graduate) who are attending the annual meeting. You DO NOT have to present a paper to compete or receive this award. You DO need to be a MEMBER of the AABA at the time of the meeting, and not have been granted your PhD before the submission deadline. Students from underrepresented groups in biological anthropology, those who are the first in their family to go to college, or are undergraduate students at two-year and four-year colleges (without graduate programs) are strongly encouraged to apply. You must be a member of this organization to apply for this award - become a member.