The Kent and Ward Fund was established through two generous bequests from long-standing members of the South African Archaeological Society. The first, in 1992, was from the late Dr Leslie Kent, a Johannesburg-based geologist. The second, in 2019, was from the late Valerie O’Hagan Ward, who for many years organised the Society’s Pietermaritzburg branch.
The bequests have been invested by the Society, and the interest generated from the fund is distributed periodically, at the discretion of the Council, to support:
i. raising the public profile of archaeology in South Africa;
ii. financing fieldwork;
iii. research projects;
iv. the analysis of archaeological material; and
v. publishing, or supporting the publication, of research results.
The Society invites applications annually for awards in all categories. Applicants are requested to read the following guidelines and instructions carefully before completing the application form. For 2026, the maximum amount available from the fund is R30,000.
GUIDELINES
- The work must be conducted in southern Africa.- Preference will be given to researchers domiciled in southern Africa.
- Preference will be given to researchers who are starting a career in archaeology.
- Projects may include any archaeological work that enhances knowledge of the lifestyle of humankind in southern Africa. This may include excavation, rock art recording, site recording, artefact or faunal analysis, identification of plant or animal remains, dating, surveys, physical anthropology, analysis of archaeological collections in museums, experimental archaeology, archival or bibliographic work.
-Proposals may also include publication of research results that promote archaeology for public education and community awareness.
-The fund does not support university registration fees, per diem payments to applicants, or living expenses incurred during the writing of reports or publications.
-The fund will not support fieldwork costs associated with archaeological contracts or other heritage impact assessments.
-The fund will not contribute to the purchase of expensive equipment such as cameras, microscopes or laptops for analytical purposes.
-Successful applicants must provide a digital copy of a full report on the work completed to the Council of the Archaeological Society. Council also strongly encourages the publication of research in the South African Archaeological Bulletin or The Digging Stick.
Completed applications must be submitted before 31 May of each year. All applications will be refereed by specialists. The successful applicant/s will be notified by 1 July of each year.
To apply, please download the application form by clicking on this link.
