International Herpetological Symposium Grants

The International Herpetological Symposium Grants provide financial support for herpetological research, conservation, and education. Established in 1976, the grants aim to foster innovative projects that enhance understanding of amphibians and reptiles. With annual awards up to $1000, the program invites applications from individuals in the herpetological community without nationality restrictions. Recipients must present findings at future symposiums and share their results publicly, adhering to local and federal research laws.

The first Symposium of Captive Propagation and Husbandry of Reptiles and Amphibians was held in June 1976. That inaugural meeting at Hood College in Frederick, MD, eventually evolved into what we know today as the International Herpetological Symposium (IHS).
Each year the IHS is held in a different location and hosted by a zoological, herpetological or herpetocultural institution. Its purpose is two-fold:
To provide an annual symposium for the dissemination of information and research pertaining to the natural history, conservation biology, captive management and propagation of amphibians and reptilesTo build a community open to all individuals who are interested in reptiles and amphibians and provide a platform that fosters the exchange of ideas and information
Individuals from all areas of herpetology and herpetoculture are involved in the planning of each event, and all are invited to attend.The International Herpetological Symposium (IHS) has established a grant program to provide financial assistance to individuals or organizations conducting herpetological research, conservation, and education.
IHS Grants
The International Herpetological Symposium (IHS) has established a grant program to provide financial assistance to individuals or organizations conducting herpetological research, conservation, and education. Grants are available annually in amounts up to $1500 and will be awarded to applicants whose projects represent a significant contribution to herpetology.
​Beginning in 2023, the grant will no longer have specific categories for submission and consideration. Applications are encouraged that support novel efforts to expand or improve upon the areas of herpetological natural history, behavior, conservation biology, captive reproduction/husbandry, and/or education. The total number of grants and amounts awarded will depend solely upon the balance of the dedicated grant fund in any given year.
Grants will be selected for novel projects that represent a significant contribution to herpetoculture which expands or improves upon the areas of herpetological natural history, behavior, conservation biology, captive reproduction/husbandry, and/or education.

Eligibility

Applicants can be any individual from the herpetological community; applications will only be accepted from the PIs directly (i.e., no second-party, grant-matching organizations). Students are encouraged to apply. There are no eligibility restrictions on the nationality of the applicant.Projects that have been funded by the IHS Grant are eligible for a second year of fundingConditions of acceptance:Recipients will be required to present their findings at a future symposium, either in person or via poster at their own expense. Information gained from the project must be made available to the public.IHS, Inc. must receive a summary or final report by the dates indicated. Include a summary of project objectives or methods used, conclusions, recommendations and a statement of expenses.IHS will be acknowledged as a sponsor in any printed materials produced as a result of the project (copy of the IHS logo can be available upon request)All research must abide all local, state and federal laws, and any research involving live animals must adhere to regulations listed under the USDA Animal Welfare Act.

Ineligibility

IHS grants do not pay for overhead of any kind.