AWARDS, GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS
Supporting the people, research, and ideas shaping the future of marine mammal science. Explore the Society’s awards, grants, and scholarships designed to recognize excellence, foster innovation, and support scientists at every stage of their careers.
AWARDS, GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS
Supporting the people, research, and ideas shaping the future of marine mammal science. Explore the Society’s awards, grants, and scholarships designed to recognize excellence, foster innovation, and support scientists at every stage of their careers.
Humpback Dolphin Hong Kong SAR_2012 / © Shiva Jian Javdan
The Society for Marine Mammalogy is committed to advancing marine mammal science by supporting the people and ideas that drive the field forward. Through a diverse portfolio of awards, grants, and scholarships, the Society invests in researchers at all career stages—while recognizing excellence, fostering innovation, and promoting global collaboration.
These programs provide critical support for scientific research, conservation action, and professional development, including funding for high-priority projects, student-led initiatives, and participation in international conferences. From early-career opportunities to prestigious lifetime achievement recognition, each award reflects the Society’s dedication to strengthening a diverse and inclusive global community of marine mammal scientists.
Whether supporting groundbreaking research, enabling access to the global scientific community, or celebrating outstanding contributions to the field, the Society’s awards and funding programs play a vital role in shaping the future of marine mammal science and conservation worldwide.
SMM CONSERVATION FUND
Saving the worlds MOST endangered marine mammals
The SMM Conservation Fund powers real-world action for marine mammals. By supporting high-impact, science-driven projects around the globe, it helps turn research into conservation solutions when they’re needed most. Whether advancing urgent protection efforts or backing innovative ideas, the fund invests in the people and projects shaping the future of marine mammal conservation.
Sea Lion Bycatch / © Howard Hall / Save Our Seas Ltd.
RESEARCH AWARDS, GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
A diverse portfolio of research grants, awards, and scholarships supports marine mammal science by fostering innovation, recognizing excellence, and advancing conservation. From funding early-stage projects to honoring lifetime achievement, these programs empower researchers at all career stages and across the globe. Together, they strengthen the field and help drive meaningful impact for marine mammals and their ecosystems.
Emily B. Shane Award
Supports conservation-focused, non-invasive field research on free-ranging toothed whales and sirenians, prioritizing projects with clear species or habitat protection goals and particularly those that also benefit local communities through education, awareness, or capacity building.
Eric A. Ramos Small Grants In Aid of Research
Provides small annual grants of up to US$2,000 to support marine mammal research, with priority given to scientists working in countries where research funding is limited.
Kenneth S. Norris Lifetime Achievement Award
Recognizes outstanding lifetime contributions to science and society through research, teaching, and service in marine mammalogy, with recipients invited to present a plenary lecture at the Biennial Conference.
Louis M. Herman Research Scholarship
Supports research advancing understanding of cetacean cognition, sensory perception, or humpback whale behavioural ecology and communication, with consideration of studies on other marine mammals that enhance knowledge of cognitive abilities.
John E. Heyning Research Award
A biennial award of up to US$5,000 for the strongest proposal from an established researcher studying any aspect of cetacean integrative biology that links diverse biological fields within an evolutionary framework.
John R. Twiss Award
Recognizes the best student-led paper published in Marine Mammal Science featuring innovative research on marine mammal habitat and ecosystem conservation, with a US$500 prize, certificate, and recognition at the Biennial Conference.
CONFERENCE AWARDS, PRIZES AND GRANTS
The Society recognizes and supports excellence in marine mammal science through a range of awards, prizes, and grants presented at the Biennial Conference, celebrating achievements in research, conservation, student contributions, and scientific innovation. A variety of travel grants also help support participation from students and researchers across diverse regions and career stages
Dolphin Sunset Shark Bay / © Simon Allen
EXTERNAL MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE FUNDING
A curated list of external funding, scholarship, and award opportunities supporting marine mammal research and conservation across a range of organizations and disciplines.
© Michelle Rosales-Inda
PROTECT MARINE MAMMALS.
SUPPORT SCIENCE THAT MATTERS.
There are many ways to support the Society and advance marine mammal science and conservation, including membership, sponsorship, and tax-deductible donations that directly fund research, education, and outreach worldwide. Becoming a member or renewing helps drive critical work where it is needed most while connecting you to a global community advancing the field.
Short-finned pilot whale / © George Karbus Photography via Getty Images