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Near Eastern Archaeology Foundation
A fascinating study of the past
We facilitate research in the archaeology of the Near East, Egypt and Cyprus, and bring the world of Near Eastern archaeology to the general public.
About us
The Near Eastern Archaeology Foundation allows people who would have little or no contact with this examination of the past, other than through the written word, to achieve not only first hand experience of excavation and study, but also to further the careers and the research of the graduate students who are so often their teachers and friends.
We also aim to make Near Eastern archaeology more accessible to the general public. During the year, the Foundation offers several lectures on Near Eastern, Cypriot and Egyptian archaeology to its members as well as collaborating with the Centre for Continuing Education to give more detailed lecture courses.
- Dr Peta Seaton (President and Acting Treasurer)
As a student of Professor Basil Hennessy in the late 1970s and working at Pella and Teleilat Ghassul in Jordan, Peta Seaton has maintained a long standing interest Near Eastern archaeology and research. She runs her own strategic policy and business consultancy drawing on her background in government, as a former Member of Parliament, and in advertising and media. She is the Chair of Australian Hearing, and has been a non-executive director of the Bradman Foundation and CARE Australia. She continues her archaeological research on the Chalcolithic period with current fieldwork at Pella in Jordan.
- Prof. Alison V.G. Betts (Director)
- Dr Ross Burns
- Dr Jamie Fraser
- Dr Iona Kat McRae
- Dr Amanda Dusting
- Mr Jack McBride
- Ms Holly Winter
- Mr Gregory Beattie
- Mr Stephen Coutts
- Dr Catriona Bonfiglioli
- Dr Ruth Ward
- Ms Prudence Sheaves
- Dr Joseph Lehner
- Mr Nicholas Turvey (Student Representative)
Our activities
MAARC Annual Meeting | 13-15 February 2023
The third annual meeting of the Mediterranean Archaeology Australasian Research Community (MAARC), will take place from Monday 13 to Wednesday 15 February 2023 (online via Zoom) hosted by The University of Sydney with the support of the Department of Archaeology, Chau Chak Wing Museum, Australian Archaeological Institute at Athens and Near Eastern Archaeology Foundation.
This event is hosted online by the University of Sydney
Grants
The Near Eastern Archaeology Foundation offers several grants on an annual basis to support research relevant to the archaeology of the Near East. Funding may be provided for, but is not limited to: research in museums; fieldwork, if associated with primary research; in person or on-line paper presentations at conferences, and associated fees; costs of sample processing; costs of open access publication. All grants may include, where appropriate, funding for travel.
Applications are open to Honours students, students undertaking a Higher Degree and post-doctoral Early Career researchers. Applicants should be attached to an Australian or New Zealand University as a student, researcher, tutor, research assistant, or affiliate, or have held such a position within the last ten years.
Download more information (PDF 280KB)
Applications for grants for 2022 will close of the 8th November, 2021.
Submit to
Grant Applications: NEAF
Address: NEAF, SOPHI A14
The University of Sydney
NSW, Australia 2006
Phone: (02) 9351 4151
Email: neaf.archaeology@sydney.edu.au
- Value: A$3,500
- Aim: to assist an eligible candidate requiring extensive travel, to pursue research in the archaeology of Egypt, Cyprus or Western Asia. Value: $3500.
Availability
This scholarship is offered annually to one person.
Payment information
The value of this scholarship is A$3,500 (total amount). This award is to be used for travel.
Research information
This scholarship is for one of the following fields of research: Archaeology and Prehistory.
Eligibility
This scholarship is for study in countries except Australia.
- Value: A$5,000
- Aim:: to assist applicants to pursue research in the geographical areas in which the Foundation from time to time conducts research.Availability
Availability
This scholarship is offered annually to one person.
Payment information
The value of this scholarship is A$5,000 (total amount). This award is to be used for research.
Research information
This scholarship is for one of the following fields of research: History and Archaeology.
- Value: A$1,500
- Aim: to assist an eligible candidate to pursue research in the archaeology of Egypt, Cyprus or Western Asia. Value: Maximum A$1,500
Availability
This scholarship is offered annually to one person.
Payment information
The value of this scholarship is A$1,500 (maximum per award). This award is to be used for research.
Research information
This scholarship is for one of the following fields of research: History and Archaeology.
- Value: up to $5000 to be distributed in the form of one or more grants at the Council's discretion.
- Aim: Grants-in-aid are to assist eligible candidates to pursue research in the archaeology of Egypt, Cyprus or Western Asia.
- A cover letter (you may use one application/letter to apply for all the grants offered).
- An up to date curriculum vitae.
- A statement of your proposed research project.
- A detailed budget and itinerary, including travel plans where relevant. Please indicate how many days you will spend at each destination and the costs involved. These costs should include airfares, accommodation, meals, transport and any other associated expenditure you may incur.
- Applicants are requested to arrange for two letters of reference to be sent directly via email to the Foundation by the closing date.
- If part of your project involves research at an institution (e.g., museum, university) or other organisation, you must provide written documentation that you have obtained permission to undertake that research.
- At the conclusion of your research project, you must forward original receipts to NEAF. If you are travelling, copies from your travel diary can verify some of the amounts, as we appreciate it isn't always easy to get receipts.
- You are required to provide a short report (with one or two pictures if possible) for archival purposes and publication in the NEAF Bulletin.
- All previous grant recipients must have provided both receipts and reports to be considered eligible for further grants.
- Grants are not available for the purposes of solely wishing to attend conferences (unless presenting at the conference) or archaeological excavations unless these activities form part of your wider research and study programme. Grants are intended to cover research costs incurred over and above normal daily expenses. They may not be used to provide short-term income support.
- Successful candidates are requested to provide at least one photograph of themselves whilst engaged in the first 3 months of their fieldwork or research during the NEAF-supported project, with a short description (up to 25 words), for use by NEAF at their discretion in social media and NEAF program promotion including the NEAF Facebook page. Permission would be assumed for a period of 10 years unless other agreed.
Donate
We rely on your generosity to help students in both Australia and New Zealand. Please consider making a donation to the foundation so that we can continue this important work.
J. Basil Hennessy AO was Professor of Middle Eastern Archaeology (1970-1990) and Foundation Director of NEAF (1986-1991).
The Foundation intends to set up the J. Basil Hennessy Fund to celebrate the life and works of Basil. It will be used to remember Basil and to continue his interests in Near Eastern archaeology and his passion of passing knowledge to a new generation of scholars.
So that we can keep track of donations specifically targeted to the J. Basil Hennessy Fund, could you please either:
- Use the on-line donation link but please send us an email to alert us to the fact that you intend your donation to be for the J. Basil Hennessy Fund or
- Download the donation form and return it to us via email or post/fax.
