The Julie Herzig Desnick Fund provides grants to archaeologists to start new archaeological survey projects. The awards are intended for projects involving field survey on the ground or a combination of field survey and remote sensing methods, rather than those based entirely on satellite imagery or other remote sensing data. Geophysical survey projects are also eligible. While all are encouraged to apply, preference will be given to archaeologists at an early stage in their careers (within 8 years of the receipt of the PhD).

Projects may concern any location in the world and any time period. Each project should make innovative use of technology, and the fieldwork proposed should be designed to address important questions about the human past.

To be eligible, applicants must have been Archaeological Institute of America members in good standing for at least two consecutive years by the application deadline, with a PhD in archaeology or a related field, and are expected to have an academic affiliation. Applicants should also be the primary permit holders for the project proposed; if the applicant is not the primary permit holder, the application should be accompanied by a letter of support from the primary permit holder.