INA Foundation

The INA Foundation, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded in 1985 and separate from INA. The purpose of the INA Foundation is the advancement of nautical archaeology conducted by the Institute of Nautical Archaeology. Donations to the INA Foundation are tax-deductible. Donors can view the INA Foundation’s Guidestar profile here.

The INA Foundation Board manages endowments that support the work of the Institute of Nautical Archaeology. These endowments help fund different aspects of INA’s work, including student scholarships, archaeology and fieldwork grants, INA’s research vessel Virazon II, and INA’s research center in Bodrum, Turkey. Donors who may be interested in enhancing the work of INA through a gift to the INA Foundation may want to consider the following funding opportunities:

Less than one year ago INA constructed Virazon II – a custom-built, state-of-the-art archaeological research vessel. Now INA is pleased to announce the launch of a $1 million matching challenge grant sponsored by a single INA donor. The grant will ensure that Virazon II is always project-ready and equip project directors with additional funds to make the cost of conducting surveys and excavations aboard Virazon II as affordable as possible. How can you help? Every dollar donated toward the Virazon II Challenge Grant between now and June 1, 2018 will be matched, up to one million dollars. With every donation, no matter how small, you will help INA archaeologists bring history to light through the recovery of our shared maritime past!

 

INA has a long history of excavating and researching shipwrecks from the Byzantine era (AD 330-1453), contributing to a growing realization that Byzantium had a much greater maritime, economic, and technological impact on our modern world than was earlier imagined. The Fred and BJ van Doorninck Byzantine Shipwreck Endowment was established to ensure INA’s continued, long-lasting impact on this undervalued era of ancient history. When allocating funds, the INA Archaeological Committee will give preference to projects contributing to the final publication of shipwrecks already excavated, shipwrecks located in Turkey or in Turkish waters, and artifact conservation during and after excavation.

 

INA annually awards the $25,000 Claude Duthuit Archaeology Grant to a single underwater archaeological project that captures the innovative, bold, and dedicated spirit of Claude – a pioneer in the field of nautical archaeology. In 1960, Claude Duthuit accompanied Dr. George Bass on his first dive to survey the 13th-century shipwreck at Cape Gelidonya, the project that would both introduce and define the field of nautical archaeology to the world. Claude remained an invaluable sponsor and active participant for INA, serving for 30 years as an INA Director and epitomizing the values of commitment, innovation, and willingness to take risks. Click here to read about past recipients of the Claude Duthuit Archaeology Grant.

 

In honor of Texas A&M University Professor Emeritus and MacArthur Foundation “Genius Grant” recipient, J. Richard “Dick” Steffy (1924-2007), a scholarship was established for graduate students enrolled in the Nautical Archaeology Program (NAP). Dick helped found NAP in 1976 and retired in 1990 after a distinguished career of ship reconstruction from hull remains. He was best known for his extensive and pioneering work with the interpretation and reconstruction of the Kyrenia merchant ship remains, but also contributed significantly to the Sea of Galilee boat, the Athlit ram, and the Herculaneum boat. Former students, friends of INA, and colleagues contributed to the endowment to fund a scholarship for up-and-coming students, in homage to a pioneer of ancient ship construction.

 

Please direct any questions regarding the INA Foundation or the grants and endowments to info@nauticalarch.org. Donations to support any of these initiatives may be made payable to:
The INA Foundation • P.O. Box 2310 • College Station, TX 77841.

The INA Foundation’s Federal Tax ID is 74-2340987