The first recipients of grants from the International Nautical Archaeology Foundation (INAF) have been announced, following the launch of its inaugural grant programme on 1 January 2026.
From a strong and diverse pool of applications, eight have been granted an award to support a broad range of nautical archaeological projects worldwide. These initiatives share a common objective: to advance public understanding of nautical archaeology and to promote research for the public benefit across all aspects of the discipline.
Mark Beattie-Edwards, CEO of the Nautical Archaeology Society, which administers the INAF, said: “We were extremely encouraged by both the volume and the calibre of applications received for this first round of INAF grants. The breadth of projects, spanning underwater, intertidal, and terrestrial investigations, demonstrates the vibrancy and global reach of nautical archaeology today.
“The strength of the submissions made the selection process highly competitive, but also reaffirmed the depth of expertise and passion within the field. We are proud to support projects that will not only expand knowledge but also ensure that this knowledge is shared meaningfully with wider audiences.”
Grant Awards
Gary Bankhead
Honorary Fellow, Department of Archaeology, Durham University
Roman Offerton: Sunderland’s Earliest Industry – UK
Leah Tavasi
PhD candidate, University of Oxford, School of Archaeology
The Contribution of Marine Cultural Heritage to Ecological Connectivity: Habitats, Baselines, and Environmental Indicators in the Falkland Islands – Falkland Islands
Dr Azzedine Karra and Dr Athena Trakadas
Director, National Center for Studies and Research on Underwater Heritage, Rabat, Morocco and Ocean Decade Heritage Network, Copenhagen, Denmark; External Associate Professor in Classical and Maritime Archaeology, Saxo Institute, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
The Essaouira Beach Shipwreck – Morocco
Professor Irena Radić Rossi and Dr Lisa Briggs
Department of Archaeology, University of Zadar, Croatia Institute for Maritime Heritage ARS NAUTICA
Korčula Island Shipwreck Survey – Croatia
Cristina Laurenti
DPhil student associated with the University of Oxford, School of Archaeology
Bàtos. Ferries and shipyards in Pisa San Rossore. Ship I: a riverine ferry – Italy
Sasha Joura
Member Australasian Institute of Maritime Archaeology and member New Zealand Archaeological Association
At the Ocean’s Edge: Maritime archaeology on the remote northern coast of Stewart Island/Rakiura – New Zealand
Christopher Dostal and Carolyn Kennedy
Texas A&M University and Institute of Nautical Archaeology
Philadelphia Gunboat Research Initiative – USA
Dr. Max Fiederling
University of Trier (Germany) / TRANSMARE Research Institute
Tides of Trade: The Urban and Maritime Morphology of Sullecthum — An Ancient North African City at the Intersection of East and West – Tunisia
Established in 2024, the International Nautical Archaeology Foundation is a charitable organisation created to deliver a global grant-giving programme. The initiative is funded by a $1 million donation from the Edward & Saryl Von der Porten Trust (USA), reflecting a significant commitment to the advancement of nautical archaeology.
INAF’s core mission is to support projects with strong potential to contribute meaningfully to the understanding of nautical archaeological subjects, while ensuring that findings are disseminated to the public through publications and a variety of media.
Grant awards are determined by an international Grant Board comprising representatives from leading institutions in the field:
- East Carolina University, Department of History, Program in Maritime Studies (USA)
- Institute of Nautical Archaeology (USA)
- Nautical Archaeology Society (UK)
- Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology (Australia)
- Flinders University (Australia)
- Vasa Museum (Sweden)
Grant recipients will be required to report on their funded work by 31 March 2027, and by 31 March 2028 for projects spanning two years.
Applications for the 2027 INAF grant programme will open on 1 January 2027. Enquiries and applications should be sent to inaf@nauticalarchaeologysociety.org
The International Nautical Archaeology Foundation is an open fund and welcomes further donations to support ongoing research and fieldwork in nautical archaeology.
To discuss donations and legacy contributions, please contact Mark Beattie-Edwards via mark@nauticalarchaeologysociety.org
