Joan Cogswell Donner Field School Scholarship

The Joan Cogswell Donner Field School Scholarship provides financial support for students to access hands-on training in field school programs related to human origins research. This scholarship was created through a generous gift from Leakey Foundation Life Trustee Joan Cogswell Donner. The purpose of the program is to encourage and support scholars who may not otherwise be able to pursue professional human origins research training at a qualified field school or field site. Field school is a crucial step in the journey to becoming a scientist or research assistant, but tuition can be unaffordable for students from the countries where field schools are located. This scholarship helps bridge that gap by providing up to $2,000 per student for one field school season. A qualified field school is a program established and affiliated with a university to offer hands-on training and education in the techniques of archaeology, paleoanthropology, and primatology. The scholarship is open to students enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in a country where there are limited resources to support training in fieldwork related to human origins research. Priority is given to students from regions where primates and fossils are found. Applications are accepted year-round and must be submitted by the field school director, not the student. The scholarship is typically offered to two students per field school. Funds may be used to cover travel expenses to and from the field school as well as other expenses related to attending field school, including travel, living expenses during fieldwork, supplies, and research expenses. All funds must be administered by the field school. The scholarship will not cover institutional overhead, salary, benefits, tuition, or publication costs.