Nuttall Graduate Fellowship

Zelia M. NuttallZelia M. Nuttall Graduate Fellowship

Our department is pleased to offer the Zelia M. Nutall Graduate Fellowship to an outstanding continuing student in SJSU’s master’s degree program in Applied Anthropology. To be eligible for the award, a student must have completed a minimum of 15 units towards his or her graduate degree.

The fellowship honors the distinguished career of Ms. Zelia Maria Magdalena Nuttall (1857-1933), an American archaeologist and anthropologist who specialized in Mesoamerican cultures and pre-Columbian manuscripts. The importance of her work was recognized by leading anthropologists such as Frederic Putnam and Franz Boas, and Nuttall’s research projects were supported in part by the philanthropist Phoebe Hearst. Among other things, Nuttall served as a mentor to Manuel Gamio, who is often considered the founder of modern anthropological studies in Mexico. She was a pioneer in the discipline, and is among the first women of Latin American descent in American anthropology. The SJSU Anthropology Department is proud to recognize and honor the legacy of these distinguished scholars.

The Zelia M. Nuttall Graduate Fellowship is granted to one student each year and includes a $1000 award. Students from under-represented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Process

To apply for the Fellowship, please submit a 450-500 word personal statement describing your experience, accomplishments, and long-term career plans. The statement should include a summary of how your work or career objectives exemplify a commitment to archaeological anthropology, Latin American communities, or Indigenous communities. You should also submit a copy of your CV. Please send applications to the Graduate Coordinator (A.J. Faas). Applications are accepted from September 1 to November 1 each calendar year. Fellowship recipients are typically notified in early December.

This fellowship is made possible by a generous endowment granted to our department by Farzad and Danae Khorasani.

Recipients of the Zelia M. Nuttall Fellowship

  • 2023, Chyna Lee
  • 2022, Alexandra Garcia