Deadline: December 31, yearly

The AAG provides support for doctoral dissertation research in the form of small grants of approximately $500 to PhD candidates of any geographic specialty. AAG Dissertation Research Grants are supported by the following funds:

The Robert D. Hodgson Memorial Ph.D. Dissertation Fund honors an accomplished geographer who capped his long career with ten years of distinguished service as the geographer in the U.S. Department of State. An internationally recognized expert on geographic aspects of the law of the sea and maritime boundaries, Dr. Hodgson believed that broader understanding of geographic principles would reduce international conflicts. The fund provides financial assistance to candidates preparing doctoral dissertations in geography.

The Paul Vouras Fund was established by a generous gift from Dr. Vouras, who taught at William Paterson College in Wayne, New Jersey, until 1990. The fund supports doctoral dissertation research in geography. Preference is given to minority student applications.

The Otis Paul Starkey Fund was established by Dr. Starkey to support doctoral dissertations or research papers devoted to regional study or significant problem areas in the United States or its possessions. Professor Starkey was an officer of the American Society of Professional Geographers. He taught at the University of Indiana at Bloomington for many years.

Eligibility: You are eligible to apply if you have been an AAG member for at least one year at the time you submit your application, you do not have a doctorate at the time of the award, and you will have completed all Ph.D. requirements except the dissertation by the end of the semester or term following approval of your award. Your dissertation supervisor must certify your eligibility.

Criteria: Proposals should demonstrate high standards of scholarship. The Research Grants Committee will observe the purposes and preferences noted above when evaluating proposals. The Research Grants Committee represents a broad spectrum of geographical specialties, and cannot be expected to be familiar with the jargon of all geographical topics. Awards rarely exceed $500. Awards may not be made in years when funds are insufficient or proposals are not suitable.

Applications: Digital submissions are encouraged. Please submit complete application in an email attachment to grantsawards@aag.org with AAG Dissertation Research Grants as the subject line. Alternatively, nine copies of the completed application can be sent to:

Association of American Geographers, attn: AAG Dissertation Research Grants, 1710 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20009-3198.

Your proposal should describe the problem you hope to solve, outline the methods and data you intend to use, and summarize the results you expect. Include budget items within the body of the proposal.

Reports and Acknowledgment: By accepting an AAG Dissertation Grant you agree to submit to the AAG Executive Director a copy of your dissertation and a report that documents expenses charged to the grant. Please acknowledge AAG support in presentations and publications.

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