In an effort to bring fresh voices to the study of vernacular buildings and landscapes the Access Award supports first-time attendance at a VAF annual meeting. VAF welcomes applicants who would benefit from attending, and who can also contribute fresh perspectives to our work, by virtue of training, background, occupation, or life experience. Preference will be given to applicants who have limited access to financial support for travel to conferences.  

There is no geographic restriction on the award and practitioners, scholars, and students may apply. Winners are not required to give a paper at the meeting, although they may. The award will cover the cost of registration for the conference including tours. Winners who live more than 50 miles from the conference site will also receive a stipend of $300 for travel and lodging, to be presented at the conference. Up to two awards will be given per year. Winners, including those giving papers at the meeting, are required to write an article to be published in the VAF’s newsletter, VAN, discussing what they learned as first-time attendees. The next meeting will take place in Plymouth, MA May 17-20, 2023.

Applications should consist of a C.V. or resume and a one-page letter detailing how the candidate heard about the Access Award, why he or she qualifies, and what interests him or her about attending a VAF meeting.   Materials should be submitted as email attachments in Word of PDF format to conferenceawards@vafweb.org. Questions about the award may also be directed to that address.

Deadline: February 1, 2023