Search Through Paleontology Grants in the U.S.

About Us

The David B. Jones Foundation is a private foundation.  It was established in May 1998 to make grants to domestic 501 (c)(3) organizations in furtherance of educational, research, and charitable activities working in the science of paleontology who primarily promote those activities within the United States.

Mission

It's mission is to support research in paleontology, to encourage writing and publication of articles relating to paleontology, and to support educational programs and training for young and amateur fossil hunters.

Grants

The foundation makes grants in the following forms:

• One-Time grants: single-year grants used for a specific purpose.
• Multiyear grants: commitments for funding a project or program to be paid in increments over a period of time no longer than five years.
• Start-Up Program grant: encourage and support the development of a new program.
• Challenge or Matching grants: require the recipient to provide a percentage of the funding to implement their project or program.

Explorers Club

The Explorers Club is a multidisciplinary society dedicated to the advancement of field research, scientific exploration and resource conservation.

Impact Grants

Building upon our highly successful Expedition Grants, we are continuing to award significant grants which have greater impact on explorers and their work in fields of science and exploration globally.

The Impact Grants align with The Club’s mission to foster scientific understanding for the betterment of humanity and all life on Earth and beyond – including our commitment to mitigate climate change, prevent the extinction of species and cultures, and ensure the health of our lands, oceans and all of their inhabitants. Further, we believe that explorers fulfill a critical role as a storytellers.

What Does the Program Fund?

• Fieldwork in the following disciplines will be considered:
  • biological sciences
  • archaeology
  • anthropology
  • paleontology
  • earth sciences
  • ecology
  • astronomy
  • exploratory projects that reveal new knowledge about the planet and its inhabitants, including regions undergoing environmental or cultural change.
• While there may be lab components of a project, grants provide funding for projects that are largely based upon a field expedition.
• Fieldwork can be rugged and adventurous, but the program will not consider projects purely focused on adrenaline sports or physical feats.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated on the basis of how the project or expedition aligns with the mission and ethics of The Explorers Club. Fieldwork will be evaluated on the scientific credibility, innovative approaches, and potential impact of the expedition, as well as on the relevant credentials of the team leader and team members. The proposed project will also be evaluated on its potential to inform and educate a global audience through inspirational storytelling.

Funding

Grants generally range from $10,000 to $25,000. Generally, a project should be carried out within a year of the grant award date.

Mission Statement

The National Speleological Society (NSS) is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the scientific study of caves and karst; protecting caves and their natural contents through conservation, ownership, stewardship, and public education; and promoting responsible cave exploration and fellowship among those interested in caves.

Research Grants

Research Grants are given to qualified individuals or teams who are members of the NSS by the time the proposal is submitted for research-support in cave-related branches of study. This includes, but is not limited to, natural sciences (e.g., cave biology, geology, paleontology, and hydrology), social sciences (e.g., archaeology), and the humanities (e.g., speleological history). We also welcome interdisciplinary proposals. Grants applications will be evaluated for their potential to generate new information and insights that are suitable for submission to peer-reviewed publications. By accepting a grant, the recipient(s) also accepts his/her responsibility for acknowledging NSS financial support in all publications and public presentations of the research funded.

Toomey Foundation Grant

The purpose of the Toomey Foundation is to promote the acquisition, protection, and study of scientifically important land and environmental resources. The primary focus of the endeavor shall be in the fields of Archeology, Astronomy, Botany, Geology, and Paleontology.

To help achieve the mission of the of the Foundation, scientific grants will be made periodically to researchers in the fields of Archeology, Astronomy, Botany, Geology, and Paleontology as funding becomes available. These grants will be made on a case by case basis upon application to the foundation when adequate funding exists. Applications for grants must be shown to have educational value and may be funded in whole or in part.

The Explorers Club

The Explorers Club is a multidisciplinary, professional society dedicated to the advancement of field research, scientific exploration and resource conservation.

The Explorers Club is proud to support the scientific fieldwork of groundbreaking explorers around the globe — last year our grantees came from 6 continents and 24 countries.

Rising Explorer Grant

The Explorers Club is proud of its history and also looks toward the future by recognizing the importance of new ideas and avenues of exploration. The Club is deeply committed to supporting the fieldwork of serious researchers and, as part of its public service commitment, offers exploration grants to High School Students and College Undergraduates as a way to help get their expedition science career off the ground, and out in to the field!

The Explorers Club

The Explorers Club is a multidisciplinary, professional society dedicated to the advancement of field research, scientific exploration and resource conservation.

The Explorers Club is proud to support the scientific fieldwork of groundbreaking explorers around the globe — last year our grantees came from 6 continents and 24 countries.

Fjällräven Field Grant

The Explorers Club and Swedish-based outdoor gear and clothing company, Fjällräven, have partnered to create a grant program aimed to promote excellence in field exploration through scientific research.

Our shared values of conservation, education, community and preserving the instinct to explore are the guiding principles.

This grant award supports exploration and research to better understand our environment, a changing climate, and the interconnectivity of wildlife and civilizations around the planet.

The Explorers Club

The Explorers Club is a multidisciplinary, professional society dedicated to the advancement of field research, scientific exploration and resource conservation.

The Explorers Club is proud to support the scientific fieldwork of groundbreaking explorers around the globe — last year our grantees came from 6 continents and 24 countries.

Rolex Explorers Club Grants

The Rolex Explorers Club Grants sends extraordinary young explorers into the field and promotes the significant role that exploration plays in addressing cutting-edge scientific questions, understanding our environment and the world we live in, and learning more about our history to protect our future.

This program is open to all field science disciplines. In addition to demonstrating a spirit of exploration, candidates must put forward a project or research proposal that has a clear scientific rationale, represents original work, and has the potential for significant impact or new understanding.

Historically, awards have been given in the amount of $10,000.

The Explorers Club

The Explorers Club is a multidisciplinary, professional society dedicated to the advancement of field research, scientific exploration and resource conservation.

The Explorers Club is proud to support the scientific fieldwork of groundbreaking explorers around the globe — last year our grantees came from 6 continents and 24 countries.

The Stephenson Explorers Advancement Program

This category supports exploration and field research for marine exploration and conservation projects. The Philip Stephenson Foundation promotes marine exploration, protection, and conservation projects focused on adding value to people’s lives and the health of the environment.

Awards will be $10,000.

Resilience and Sustainability Science Postdoctoral Fellowship

Life on a Sustainable Planet aims to promote evidence-based decision-making, working in concert with local communities to address the climate crisis.

Life on a Sustainable Planet will use the Institution’s more than 175-year history of scientific research and data gathering across a global network of research centers, its expansive museum collection, and its diverse set of exhibits and educational programs to produce, curate and communicate evidence-based strategies for adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change to the public. The Institution will pioneer new technologies to collect environmental data, develop new platforms to analyze and share these data and work with partners and communities to inform conservation action.

Life on a Sustainable Planet, in part, is supported by the Adrienne Arsht Community-Based Resilience Solutions Initiative, which in turn, is funding a cohort of resilience fellows, working across several Smithsonian units and with outside partners, to use our collections to better understand resilience in nature and in human communities, and to strengthen connections between our collections and the latest scientific innovations. In this “living laboratory,” scientists will study how we can use fundamental knowledge of nature-based resilience solutions in ecological systems such as tropical rainforests or oceans to help create resilient communities and to devise and field-test solutions.

Through the Resilience and Sustainability Fellowship, the Smithsonian seeks to support up to five post-doctoral fellows as they conduct independent research in support of the Smithsonian’s goals to understand and expand resilience. These fellows will be able to leverage the Smithsonian’s resources, including its scientists, collections, exhibits, and data sets, to advance scientific understanding resilience and sustainability in either marine or terrestrial systems.

Stipend:

Recipients will receive a stipend of $62,000 per year for Postdoctoral Fellows. Stipends are prorated for periods of less than 24 months. A maximum research allowance of $10,000 is available for the fellowship period.

The Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences (AAPS), is a non-profit organization, composed primarily of professional commercial paleontologists who promote science. This organization maintains and administers several privately funded grants that are available to researchers and educators worldwide. This grant will be awarded by a majority vote of the membership attending the annual meeting in Tucson every February.

Allen was a founding member of AAPS, our first President, and served on the Board of Directors from the late 1970's through the 1980's. In 2004 he was awarded the Sternberg Medal by the AAPS, the highest award given by this organization recognizing his life-long contributions and achievements in the field of paleontology. Allen passed away on July 13, 2009 at age 90 due to complications from Parkinson's disease.

A. Allen Graffham Research Grant

The A. Allen Graffham Research Grant, is a $1000 grant which will be awarded to a researcher that will publish on specimens collected by, or in collaboration with, AAPS members. The AAPS will offer this research grant annually to a scientist, researcher, or student in paleontology. This grant will be awarded by a majority vote of the membership attending the annual meeting in Tucson every February.

The applicant must qualify and meet the approval of the Board of Directors. Because a majority of our members are active collectors, we request that the applicant must utilize, publish, and acknowledge which member the fossils came from along with acknowledging the AAPS as a grant provider.  Further acquisitions of fossils for continued research may also be an acceptable use.

The Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research Grants

The Lewis and Clark Fund encourages exploratory field studies for the collection of specimens and data and to provide the imaginative stimulus that accompanies direct observation.

Applications are invited from disciplines with a large dependence on field studies, such as archaeology, anthropology, biology, ecology, geography, geology, linguistics, paleontology, and population genetics, but grants will not be restricted to these fields.

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program

The Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Programs of the AMNH are designed to advance the training of each participant by having them pursue a specific, time-limited project in association with Museum professionals in the Museum setting. The applicant's project must fit into one or more of the main research areas of interest in the Museum's Scientific Divisions: Anthropology, Invertebrate Zoology, Paleontology, Physical Sciences (Astrophysics and Earth & Planetary Sciences), or Vertebrate Zoology.

Appointments are typically made for two years. In addition to a competitive salary and benefits, limited relocation, research and publication support is provided.

Co-Funding Opportunities/Special Funds

• 1a. Gerstner Scholars Program - Biology
• 1b. Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Fund - North American Fauna
• 1c. Lerner-Gray Fund - Marine Research 

If you are proposing a project that engages the mission one or more of the Museum’s special funds, you are required to submit a related abstract. Read the special fund descriptions on below carefully and apply accordingly. When proposals relate to more than one fund, multiple abstracts are required.

Gerstner Scholars Program - Biology

The Gerstner Scholars Program Generously funded by Mr. Louis V. Gerstner Jr., the Gerstner Scholars program encourages and supports groundbreaking research in biology, with an emphasis on genomics, including such topics as microbes, mammals, invertebrates, marine life, and computational biology. The work of scholars at AMNH co-supported through this competitive program will have implications for such broad themes as human and medical research that is informed by understanding the scientific composition and behavior of other species; and advancing our understanding of the evolution and diversity of species and the "tree of life." Chosen for their creative approaches to research questions that are likely to lead to important new discoveries in their respective fields, Gerstner Scholars will include biological scientists who have demonstrated outstanding performance that merits recognition early in their careers. 

Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Fund - North American Fauna

The Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Fund for North American Research Applicants proposing to conduct research in any phase of wildlife conservation or related fields of North American fauna - terrestrial and freshwater (rivers, lakes, streams), extant or fossil - are required to apply to the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Fund. North America includes everything north of the Isthmus of Panama, including the Caribbean.

• There are two exceptions to this application:
• Applicants submitting research proposals on birds, even within North America, must apply instead to the Frank M. Chapman Memorial Fund Program,  not to the Theodore Roosevelt Fund.
• Applicants submitting research proposals on ocean/sea marine life and environments must apply to the Lerner-Gray Fund, not to the Theodore Roosevelt Fund.

Lerner-Gray Fund for Marine Research

The Lerner-Gray Fund for Marine Research Applicants proposing to conduct research in systematics, evolution, ecology, paleontology or zoology of marine life and environments are required to apply to the Lerner-Gray Fund for Marine Research.

• There is one exception to this application:
  • Postdoctoral applicants proposing to conduct freshwater research in North America should apply to the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Fund, not to the Lerner-Gray Fund.

The AMNH Graduate Student Fellowship Program is an educational partnership with selected universities, dedicated to the training of Ph.D. candidates in those scientific disciplines practiced at the Museum. The university exercises education jurisdiction over the students and awards the degree. At least one Museum curator serves as a graduate advisor, co-major professor or major professor, and adjunct university faculty member. The student benefits by having the staff and facilities of both the university and the Museum in order to carry on their training and research.

The current joint graduate training programs include five universities:

• Columbia University provides students opportunities in anthropology, paleontology, earth and planetary sciences, and ecology, evolutionary, and environmental biology;
• Cornell University in entomology;
• The Graduate Center of the City University of New York in earth and planetary sciences, paleontology, and evolutionary biology;
• New York University in molecular biology; and
• Stony Brook University in astronomy and astrophysics. 

Research Grants, Meetings, and Education

The Foundation supports research grants, scientific meetings, and activities in education – all to promote research and the dissemination of knowledge.

SEPM brings together approximately 2,700 sedimentary geoscientists, of whom about 26% are students (691 student members). Members range from seasoned professionals to these committed students, who represent the best and brightest hopes for the future of sedimentary geology. The Foundation’s priorities are SEPM’s–to create an environment where members and organizations can advance the frontiers of science by promoting research and discovery, ensuring a diverse and skilled professional sedimentary geology community (sedimentology/paleontology/stratigraphy), and enhancing public awareness of the role our science plays in addressing societal needs. These priorities aim to grow the technical strength, leadership, and impact of the sedimentary geology community today and tomorrow. We have a shared opportunity to pursue the best possible future for our field, with great possibilities for leadership in these three broad areas.

• Communicating our Science: From its first publications in 1929, SEPM has existed to advance and share the sciences of paleontology, sedimentology, and stratigraphy. Across our many decades, we have seen technologies and frontiers of knowledge advance; we have seen the landscape of sedimentary geology advance and expand, very often through the leadership of our own members. Throughout this history, our commitment has remained constant: to support our science with the full range of tools and concepts available to us.
• Education: Through SEPM’s work with graduate students, and early career professionals, we promote, support, and inspire earth science learning opportunities within and beyond the classroom. As the geoscience education landscape shifts, SEPM’s emphasis on teaching and learning across levels is more critical than ever.

SEPM Student Research Grants Program

• Future Geoscientists: The future of the SEPM suite of fields depends on the young geoscientists we engage today. The next generation of scientists will bring a new and exceptional diversity of backgrounds and strengths to their work. As early career research, and fellowship opportunities increase, our field’s pipeline of workforce-ready, trained professionals increases as well.

These grants honor the memory of Karl Hirsch, a WIPS member who reached the acme of amateur paleontology. His contributions to the study of fossil eggs were recognized and honored by several paleontological organizations, including WIPS, The Paleontological Society, and the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology.

The Karl Hirsch Memorial Grants are given to support novel research in paleontology or a closely related field. Funds for successful past projects have been used to support museum travel and supplies for paleontological research, fieldwork to collect significant specimens, and external analyses (e.g. CT scanning, geochemical analyses).

Background

The Arthur James Boucot Research Grants were initiated by Dr. Arthur James Boucot and Barbara Boucot. Art Boucot, a former President of the Paleontological Society (1980-1981), was an internationally renowned paleontologist, specializing in Paleozoic fossils, specifically brachiopods and gastropods. He was a recipient the SEPM R. C. Moore Medal and the Paleontological Society Medal, among many other honors and distinctions. Art had a seven-decade career devoted to fieldwork in invertebrate paleontology that covered all continents, including Antarctica, resulting in over 500 peer-reviewed publications and books. Art made major contributions to paleocommunity evolution, paleobiogeography, biostratigraphy, and refinements to the geologic time scale, including resolutions of problems concerning Ordovician, Silurian and Devonian boundaries.

The primary role of the GSA research grants program is to provide partial support of master's and doctoral thesis research in the geological sciences for graduate students enrolled in universities in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Central America. In 2024, approximately $800,000 was awarded to 316 graduate students (~67% of the 491 who applied), with an average grant of ~$2,500.

Goals

• Support graduate student research in the geosciences and ultimately enhance the geoscience workforce.
• Provide career development opportunity for students by gaining experience with grants writing, project development and research.
• Increase the diversity of the geosciences through opportunities for students of underrepresented communities to achieve success in research

Specialized Awards: The Committee on Research Grants selects recipients of special awards from applicants to the general research grants program. A student may not apply directly for a specialized grant, however may indicate on the application if he/she would like to be considered for an award. These are generally recognition awards only with no additional funding. However, some specialized awardees may be funded for an amount greater than US$2,500.

The Conchologists of America, better known as COA, is a society for shell enthusiasts from all walks of life, at all levels of interest. It is a tax-exempt educational non-profit organization under the provisions of Article 501(c) 3 of the US Internal Revenue Service Code (Tax ID 112541695).

Grants of up to $2,500 each are given to qualified parties undertaking field or laboratory research on recent or fossil mollusks, and other molluscan related projects. 

Western Society of Malacologists

The Western Society of Malacologists (WSM) was established in 1968 as a society for the furtherance of research in Malacology. The membership consists of professionals, amateurs, and students. The WSM holds an annual meeting.

Student Research Grants in Malacology

As part of their commitment to the continued study of mollusks, the Western Society of Malacologists are again pleased to announce the availability of grants to support student research in malacology. Funds are available for actual research costs, including but not limited to, field and laboratory equipment, chemicals, photographic supplies, computer time and supplies, microscope usage fees, and reasonable research travel costs.

Membership in the Western Society of Malacologists is not required but is certainly encouraged and students receive a discounted rate. Award recipients are also encouraged to present their research at a subsequent WSM meeting. Abstracts are published in the WSM Annual Report.

Awards of up to $1000.00 US are available.

Lerner-Gray Grants for Marine Research

Lerner-Gray Memorial Fund Grants - The Lerner-Gray Grants for Marine Research provide financial assistance to highly qualified persons starting careers in marine zoology. Support is limited to projects dealing with systematics, evolution, ecology and field-oriented behavioral studies of marine animals. Awards are not made to support research in botany and biochemistry

These awards are intended principally to assist early career scientists -- advanced predoctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers -- although there are no formal educational restrictions to apply. Awards cover support for field work, including transportation, subsistence in the field or at a research station, and expendable supplies. Grants may be obtained for travel and living expenses to cover investigations at any location including trips to New York City to study the collections in AMNH or for work at any of the Museum’s field stations. In general, grants will not be made to cover salaries; the purchase of permanent research equipment (such as computers, software, and microscopes); overhead, conference or meeting costs; or expenses or salary for a field assistant.

SEPM (Society for Sedimentary Geology) is an international not-for-profit Society. Through its network of international members, the Society is dedicated to the dissemination of scientific information on sedimentology, stratigraphy, paleontology, environmental sciences, marine geology, hydrogeology, and many additional related specialties.

The Society supports the science and its members in their professional objectives by publication of two major scientific journals, the Journal of Sedimentary Research (JSR) and PALAIOS, in addition to producing research conferences, short courses, and Special Publications. Through SEPM's Continuing Education, Publications, Meetings, and other programs, members can both gain and exchange information pertinent to their geologic specialties.

The SEPM Foundation Inc. raises and distributes funds in support of SEPM activities. Through various funds, support is given to student activities, publications, short courses, research conferences and other appropriate endeavors.

The James Lee Wilson Award is bestowed in recognition of "Excellence in Sedimentary Geology by a Young Scientist." It is important that the Society continue to recognize those that have contributed to the science of sedimentary geology. 

SVP is pleased to announce the Preparators’ Grant has been renamed the Marvin and Beth Hix Preparators’ Grant. The Society is pleased to honor this family with this award, which is intended to further the field of Vertebrate Paleontology through the advancement of preparation.

A core mission of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP) is to foster the appreciation and understanding of vertebrate fossils and fossil sites by student and avocation paleontologists, as well as the general public. To promote these ideals, The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Outreach and Education Grant offers support to our members in designing, implementing, and evaluating programs and activities focused on education and community engagement. Through this Grant, SVP hopes to capitalize on the creativity and passions of our membership to disseminate information about vertebrate paleontology that is engaging, effective, and scientifically accurate.

The subject matter of funded proposals may fall within any sub-discipline of vertebrate paleontology. Projects may include, but are not limited to:

• field trips for teachers and pre-college students to fossil sites or museums (virtual or in real life)
• educator training and curricular development
• participation in local community initiatives
• development of educational materials for classroom use or informal education settings
• and development of websites, apps, or other technologies.

The Education and Outreach Committee values the development of undergraduate education and fostering research experiences, though we also recognize that SVP members’ home institutions often support such activities. As such, proposals focused broadly on undergraduate audiences should include explicit justification for why SVP resources are necessary. 

By accepting an SVP Outreach and Education Grant, recipients agree to provide a one-page summary of their project (including goals, methods, and outcomes) within one year of receiving funding.

Amount

The Outreach and Education Grant is funded as part of the SVP operating budget. As such, the amount of funding may vary from year to year.

Purpose

This scholarship was created to honor the ideals, scholarship and character of Claude C. Albritton, Jr., a Fellow of the Geological Society of America and a founding member of the Geoarchaeology Division. A major part of his career was devoted to the application of Earth sciences to archaeology; and financial assistance to graduate students with this scholarship is a fitting way to help perpetuate his high standards of research.

This scholarship is intended to support the field and/or laboratory research of a graduate student pursuing a Masters or Doctoral degree. The research must involve interdisciplinary archaeology-Earth sciences concepts and methods. Specific disciplines/subdisciplines and geographic areas are open, but can include geomorphology, pedology, sedimentology, archaeometry, stratigraphy, paleontology, zooarchaeology, and archaeological materials and characterization.

The Explorers Club

The Explorers Club is a multidisciplinary, professional society dedicated to the advancement of field research, scientific exploration and resource conservation.

The Explorers Club is proud to support the scientific fieldwork of groundbreaking explorers around the globe — last year our grantees came from 6 continents and 24 countries.

Ponant Science Expedition Grants

In collaboration with our travel partner, PONANT, Explorers Club Members, scientists, and explorers now have the opportunity to traverse new frontiers in search of discovery and a more sustainable future. We are pleased to offer periodic opportunities to conduct research aboard Le Commandant Charcot, for multi-week expedition voyages.

Recipients of these science grants come from a diverse community of changemakers from around the world working to support the mission of illuminating and preserving the world’s landscapes, cultures and wildlife through science and education. The purpose of these expeditions is to advance scientific research while encouraging conversations of conservation as travelers explore new frontiers in search of discovery and a more sustainable future. The role of the science grantee will be to conduct a research project, and engage with PONANT travelers via lectures, workshops and (where possible) inviting guests to partake in sample collections.

Arts & Museums Project Grants (UT)

Utah Arts & Museums Project grants provide support for projects that are open and accessible to the general public, and that showcase the richness of our communities through arts and museums. The following disciplines will be considered for funding:

• Arts - dance, folk arts, literary, media arts and film, performing arts, public art installations, theater, visual arts
• Museums - anthropology/archaeology, arts, botanical gardens, children’s, history, natural history, paleontology, science, zoological
• Applications from nonprofit organizations that do not have a cultural mission, but are producing significant arts or cultural activities.
• Festivals - a nonprofit or government entity can request funding to support the artistic part of a festival (for example but not limited to paying a performing artist or paying a professional artist to oversee a children’s art yard). If a festival is an arts specific event, then the festival in its entirety can be applied for.

Examples of Eligible Projects: exhibitions, museum education activities, museum community history project (oral history, research, etc.), museum interpretation/signage/labeling, museum public events related to exhibitions or programs, workshops/classes led by a professional and open to the community; providing an artistic activity within a festival; fostering preservation of artistic traditions of a refugee or other historically underrepresented population; artistic endeavors tied to community revitalization; or other innovative projects that advance arts or museums in a community or geographic region, and have a strong public component.

Funding

$1,500 - $10,000

This grant requires a minimum of a 1:1 match, but you can also show more than a 1:1 match. This grant may be matched by an all cash match, or up to 25% of the match may come from in-kind contributions.