The Association for Gravestone Studies (AGS) promotes the academic study of gravemarkers, cemeteries and related topics internationally through its annual conference and peer-reviewed journal Markers.  Held in June each year, the annual conference provides an opportunity for students to learn about new and established fields of academic gravestone and cemetery research and best practices in preservation and management, while networking with academics, advocates, and professionals.  Learn more about AGS's 2026 Conference.

Student Fellowships: For many years, fellowships have been awarded to students whose educational pursuits are aligned with AGS's founding purpose in 1977 — to further the study and preservation of gravestones. There are two such fellowships, one named after Ron and Jane Stockton, who very generously endowed it, and the other after the late Joe Edgette, in whose memory funds were given.

AGS welcomes fellowship applications from undergraduate and graduate students to present their research in any aspect of gravestone and cemetery studies at the annual conference.  Every year, AGS offers one or more conference fellowships.  The exact terms each year depend upon funding and registration fees, but in general the fellowships provide fully paid conference registrations that include all activities (two days of cemetery field trips, two days of scholarly presentations, a conservation workshop, and awards banquet) and on campus housing and meals from Tuesday through Sunday. The fellowships also provide a free one-year student membership in AGS beginning at the June conference. If a student’s application is not selected for a fellowship, the scholarship committee will forward the proposal to the general conference program committee for consideration unless the student opts out of consideration.

Student Poster: Currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate students who are not yet ready to give a paper are encouraged to submit a poster proposal. Each printed poster (minimum 24”x36”) presents in a visual format the student’s research, analysis, interpretation, and significance of the project. There will be a standalone poster session so students can receive feedback from attending experts in the field.

Each student poster presenter will be offered a single-day student rate of $25.00 (all meals and activities included) to attend the conference on the day of the poster session.

1) Felllowship Eligibility Guidelines

• Awards are open to graduate or undergraduate students at any accredited college or university.
• Students submit an application form (link available on the AGS website) with supporting documentation to the AGS Student Fellowship Committee. Applications close on April 14, 2026, 12 noon Eastern time.  Questions?  Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  
• Research topics may include the study of gravestones (such as marker materials, forms, and motifs, as well as carver studies) and cemeteries (such as surveys, burial practices, and landscape histories).
• Excluded are any research projects already funded by AGS through other awards.

2) Fellowship Awards

The two Student Conference Fellowships each provide complimentary conference registration, together with on-campus lodging and on-campus meals during the AGS annual conference, plus a reimbursement of up to US $300 towards travel expenses. The recipient also receives a complimentary student membership of AGS for one year beginning June of the year of the award.

•  Fellowship recipients agree to attend the full annual conference and to present their research in person; their work may also be published in Markers, the AGS Quarterly, or in other ways approved by AGS.

3) Management and Oversight of the Fellowship Program

• AGS’s Student Fellowship Committee determines award recipients each year after completing its review of fellowship applications.
• AGS reserves the right to award one or more fellowships each year, or to make no award, as circumstances permit.
• Allowable out-of-pocket travel expenses are determined by the AGS Executive Committee and may include air, train or bus fares, and other expenses directly related to the recipient’s transportation to and from the conference up to $300.00.
• The AGS Treasurer maintains records regarding donations into, balance of, and cash distributed from the fund, and reports fund activity to AGS membership at least once per year.
• Eligibility guidelines, use of awards, and management and oversight of the fund may be changed at any time with the approval of the AGS Executive Committee.