Cultural–Historical Geographies Student Connections Award

Cultural–Historical Geography Student Connections Award

Jointly sponsored by the AAG Historical Geography Specialty Group and AAG Cultural Geography Specialty Group

The Cultural Geography Specialty Group and Historical Geography Specialty Group of the American Association of Geographers invite applications for the inaugural Cultural–Historical Geography Student Connections Award. This pilot award in the amount of $200 USD supports undergraduate and graduate students attending the 2027 AAG Annual Meeting in New York City. It is intended to reduce financial barriers and help students develop professional connections, share or explore research, and engage with cultural and historical geography.

Eligibility and Encouragement

Applicants must be undergraduate or graduate students planning to attend the 2027 AAG Annual Meeting in New York City and demonstrate an interest in cultural geography, historical geography, or connections between them. Students from geography and related fields are welcome.

We especially encourage applications from:

• Students attending the AAG Annual Meeting for the first time.

• Students presenting research or other scholarly work at the meeting.

• Students historically underrepresented in geography.

• Students whose participation would be difficult without financial assistance.

These circumstances are encouraged, but none is required to apply. A presentation is not required. Applicants must be active members of both the Historical Geography Specialty Group AND Cultural Geography Specialty Group.

Application Materials

Submit a single application on the provided Google Form containing:

• Basic information: Name, institution, degree program, student level, email address, and whether this would be your first AAG Annual Meeting.

• Statement of interest, up to 500 words: Explain your connection to cultural and/or historical geography, your planned meeting activities, and how attending would support your educational and professional goals. You may also describe experiences or barriers relevant to your access to opportunities in geography.

• Brief budget and funding statement, up to 200 words: Identify estimated attendance costs, confirmed or pending support, the remaining funding gap, and how this award would help.

• Presentation information, if applicable: Include the title and abstract.

Applicants may describe financial circumstances and experiences of underrepresentation in their own terms. Sensitive personal details, identity disclosures, and financial documentation are not required.

Selection

Applications will be reviewed jointly by representatives of both specialty groups. Reviewers will consider financial need, anticipated professional development, connections to cultural and/or historical geography, access barriers, first-time attendance, and planned scholarly participation. Applications will be evaluated in relation to students' educational stage and available opportunities. Recipients will be asked to confirm attendance, acknowledge both groups when appropriate, and provide a brief post-meeting reflection. Participation in group activities will be encouraged as an opportunity for connection and mentorship.

Application Deadline: December 31, 2026 at 11:59pm PT

Link to application: forms.gle/vs6W3jBw88jHBrR49 

Please direct any questions to the CGSG Awards Director Josh Merced at joshua.merced@nau.edu.