The American Society of Mammalogists (ASM) seeks to promote high-quality research by its student members and has developed a number of mechanisms by which young scientists can establish and further develop their careers in mammalogy. The Grants-in-Aid of Research and the Latin American Student Research programs provide students (usually graduate students) with funding to conduct research in mammalogy at any stage of their research projects; students are eligible for more than 1 grant in successive years. The Latin American Student Field Research Award explicitly recognizes the historical and contemporary importance of field research in Latin America to ASM, and the Society's commitment to promoting field work by promising students from these countries. To acknowledge the highest-caliber research projects completed by its student members (supported by Grants-In-Aid or any other funding sources), the ASM offers the Graduate and Undergraduate Student Honoraria Research Paper Awards. In addition to funds to support travel to the Annual Meeting, Graduate Honoraria awardees have the distinct honor of presenting their research as part of the opening Plenary Session of the Annual Meeting, along with recipients of other ASM awards. Finally, the Albert R. and Alma Shadle Fellowship in Mammalogy and the ASM Fellowship are designed to recognize contributions to the field of mammalogy, service to the Society, and the potential to develop a productive career in mammalogy. By providing funding for student research (Grants-In-Aid of Research, Latin American Student Field Research Awards), recognizing the highest quality completed projects (Honoraria Research Papers), and honoring individuals that have made substantial contributions to mammalogy through their research and service (Shadle Award and the ASM Fellowship), the American Society of Mammalogists assists students throughout the early development of their careers. Submissions to these programs can be accomplished through http://www.mammalsociety.org/applications/.
CALL FOR GRADUATE STUDENT HONORARIA ONLINE SUBMISSION
The American Society of Mammalogists (ASM) Honoraria Committee is currently accepting applications for Graduate Student Research Awards (the Jackson, Howell, and Birney Awards). The ASM offers three competitive awards to help promote the careers of outstanding graduate students in Mammalogy. Each award comes with a stipend ($1,000) to attend the annual meeting, where award winners present their research in a plenary session devoted to graduate student research. There is no difference among the three awards, which are named for three distinguished prior members of the ASM: Anna M. Jackson, A. Brazier Howell, and Elmer C. Birney.
The competition is open to all graduate-student members of the ASM, regardless of nationality or current institutional affiliation. [To become a member of the Society visit the ASM membership page at http://www.mammalsociety.org/membership/index.html.] Applicants must be current master′s or doctoral students (or have completed their degrees during the previous Fall term) when they apply. Applicants must not have received a previous Graduate Research Award from ASM, or a Shadle or ASM Fellowship. However, recipients of ASM Grant-in-Aid of Research and Latin American Student Field Research are eligible and encouraged to apply. Additional eligibility rules can be found at http://www.mammalsociety.org/grant-applications-instructions). Students unsure of their eligibility are encouraged to contact the chair of the Honoraria Committee well in advance of the application deadline (Dr. V. Hayssen; vhayssen@smith.edu).
The application deadline is 15 February each year. Applications are submitted electronically. A complete application consists of a short (1,000 word) research statement and a letter of recommendation, preferably from the applicant′s advisor. Complete application instructions and evaluation criteria can be found at http://www.mammalsociety.org/applications/. Questions should be directed to Dr. Hayssen (vhayssen@smith.edu; or via snail mail to Virginia Hayssen, Biology Department, Smith College, Northampton, MA 01063 [413 585-3856]).
CALL FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH AWARDS
The American Society of Mammalogists (ASM) Honoraria Committee is currently accepting applications for Undergraduate Research Awards. The ASM supports undergraduate research in Mammalogy by awarding two Undergraduate Research Awards each year. Recipients are awarded a stipend ($500) to attend the annual meeting, where they will give either an oral or poster presentation during regular sessions. This year′s annual meeting will be held at the Peppermill Resort Spa & Casino in Reno, Nevada, from 22-26 June 2012.
The competition is open to all undergraduate student members of the American Society of Mammalogists, regardless of nationality or current institutional affiliation. [To become a member of the Society visit the ASM membership page at http://www.mammalsociety.org/membership.] Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate program when they apply, and must not have received a previous Undergraduate Award from ASM. Students unsure of their eligibility are encouraged to contact the chair of the Honoraria Committee well in advance of the application deadline (vhayssen@science.smith.edu).
The application deadline is 15 February each year. Applications are submitted electronically. A complete application consists of a 200-250 word abstract for an oral or poster presentation, a curriculum vitae, and a letter from the student′s research advisor. Complete application instructions and evaluation criteria can be found at http://www.mammalsociety.org/applications/. Questions should be directed to Dr. V. Hayssen (vhayssen@science.smith.edu; or via snail mail to Virginia Hayssen, Biology Department, Smith College, Northampton, MA 01063 [413 585-3856]).
FELLOWSHIPS IN MAMMALOGY
Applications are solicited for two graduate fellowships in mammalogy for 2012–2013. The fellowships are intended to promote a professional career in mammalogy by allowing the recipients greater freedom to pursue research, but are not grants in support of specific research projects. These fellowships are the premier awards given to graduate student members of ASM, and are awarded in recognition of both current accomplishments and future potential. Careers of applicants should have progressed sufficiently (in terms of publications, presentations, and development of their research program) to clearly demonstrate the potential for productive roles in professional mammalogy. Awards do not preclude support from other sources.
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MAMMALOGISTS FELLOWSHIP IN MAMMALOGY
The Board of Directors of the ASM provides a fellowship in mammalogy for any graduate student member of the ASM enrolled in a college or university for the forthcoming academic year (Fall 2012–Spring 2013). The stipend of $15,000 for 2012–2013 has been approved. The ASM Fellow will be invited to present the results of his/her research at the Plenary Session of the 2013 Annual Meeting of the ASM.
ALBERT R. AND ALMA SHADLE FELLOWSHIP IN MAMMALOGY
The Albert R. and Alma Shadle Endowment Fund provides a fellowship in mammalogy for a graduate student member of the ASM enrolled in a college or university in the United States for the forthcoming academic year (Fall 2012–Spring 2013). The stipend for 2012–2013 is expected to be approximately $4,000. The Shadle Fellow will be invited to present the results of his/her research at the Plenary Session of the 2013 Annual Meeting of the ASM.
Applications for either fellowship should be submitted electronically through the ASM web site ( http://www.mammalsociety.org/applications/). All electronic applications must consist of 9 items: an application form; an abstract; description of research project; brief statement of how support from the Fellowship would be used; summary of professional experience in mammalogy, research interest, and career goals; a curriculum vita; and 3 letters of recommendation, including one from the applicant’s research advisor. Applicants may apply for either or both fellowships with a single application as indicated on the electronic application form. See the ASM web site for additional information. Applications including letters of recommendation must be received by 1 May 2012. Contact Richard Stevens (rstevens@lsu.edu) if there are exceptional reasons why an application cannot be submitted electronically. The nominees for both fellowships will be announced at the 2012 Annual Meeting.
GRANTS-IN-AID OF RESEARCH
Applications are solicited for Grants-in-Aid of Research in mammalogy from funds made available by the Directors of the ASM. Applicants must be graduate students or upper-level undergraduates who are members of the ASM. Awards (maximum $1,500) will be made in support of any aspect of research except travel to meetings. Individuals may receive a career maximum of two Grants-in Aid awards. The ASM encourages foreign students, especially those in developing countries, to submit applications.
Applications should be submitted electronically through the ASM web site ( http://www.mammalsociety.org/applications/). All electronic applications must consist of 5 items: an application form, a description of the proposed research, a project budget, and 2 letters of recommendation, including one from the applicant’s research advisor. See the ASM web site for more information. Contact Richard Stevens (rstevens@lsu.edu) if there are exceptional reasons why an application cannot be submitted electronically. Applications including letters of recommendation must be received by 1 March 2012.
LATIN AMERICAN STUDENT FIELD RESEARCH AWARD
The Latin American Student Field Research Award is made annually to support field research projects by Latin Americans in Latin America. Eligible students must be citizens of Latin American countries (excluding Puerto Rico) and currently enrolled in a graduate program. Projects must be field-oriented investigations of natural history, conservation, ecology, systematics, wildlife biology, biogeography, or behavior of mammals. The selection committee, whose membership reflects these diverse fields and has field experience in Latin America, considers each of these areas of research equally important.
Application materials include a 2-page application and 2 letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your scientific background and current academic program, 1 of which must be from your graduate advisor. All application materials must be sent to the Committee Chair in files attached to email messages. Acceptable formats include pdf (preferred) and Word (doc and rtf files). Letters scanned in jpg format also are acceptable. Although we encourage applications and letters in English, documents written in Spanish or Portuguese are acceptable. Detailed instructions can be downloaded from the ASM website ( www.mammalsociety.org/committees/index.asp).
To be considered, all application materials must be sent electronically to Dr. Kristina A. Ernest (ernestk@cwu.edu; phone 509-963-2805) by APRIL 15. Recipients will be announced at the annual banquet of the American Society of Mammalogists, but awardees need not be present to receive the award.
ASM-AIBS GRADUATE STUDENT PUBLIC POLICY INTERNSHIP
The American Society of Mammalogists (ASM) and the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) are pleased to announce the availability of an internship in the Washington, DC. AIBS Public Policy Office. The internship is open to ASM members who are currently enrolled in a graduate program and who are engaged in research that will contribute to our understanding and conservation of mammals. The internship is for 3 months during fall 2012, and carries a generous monthly stipend of $2,000. Selection criteria include demonstrated interest in public policy process, strong communications skills, and excellent academic record.
The AIBS Public Policy Office focuses on science and science education public policy (e.g., federal R & D funding policy). Additional information about ASM and AIBS can be found on their respective websites ( www.mammalsociety.org, www.aibs.org).
The ASM-AIBS Public Policy Internship is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in public policy at the national level. By working with the AIBS Public Policy Office, the intern will learn how scientific societies, non-governmental organizations (NGO's), executive branch agencies (e.g., NSF, USGS), and the legislative branch interact to craft science policy. Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Attending science coalition meetings, congressional and agency briefings, hearings, press briefings and other relevant events;
Assisting with tracking and analysis of relevant issues;
Assisting with planning Capitol Hill briefings or press events; and
Preparing a written report on the internship experience.
Serving as the ASM representative to AIBS Council
Application requirements:
Letter of application describing applicant′s interest in science policy issues and detailing how this fellowship would enhance his/her professional goals. Applicant should include the names of two individuals other than their advisor from whom recommendations can be requested. These individuals should be able to address the candidate's leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills.
A two-page resume that demonstrates the applicant's leadership and communication experience. It should include the following items: education (including relevant law or policy courses), work experience, honors and awards, memberships, and publications.
A statement describing the importance of federal support for fundamental mammalian research (750 words maximum). The statement should draw on the applicant′s own experience and/or research area, and should illustrate how the applicant would try to convince his/her own congressional delegation to support federal research funding programs/agencies.
A letter of support/recommendation from academic advisor.
Copies of transcripts from each college or university from which applicant received a degree and/or is currently enrolled. If selected, official transcripts may be required.
Applicants are not required to be ASM members at the time of application but, if selected, must join the Society prior to starting the internship. The intern is expected to present a poster summarizing the internship experience at the June 2013 ASM Annual Meeting.
All application materials must be received by 1 May 2012 and should be sent to Dr. Alicia V. Linzey, Evaluation Committee Chair, 148 Double Brook Dr., Weaverville, NC 28787. Questions about the award can be addressed to Dr. Linzey at avlinzey@frontier.com.
