James H. McLean Student Grant in Collections-Based Research

James H. McLean Student Grant in Collections-Based Research

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Western Society of Malacologists
Amount: Up to US $1,500
Last Updated: March 10, 2026

Summary

The James H. McLean Student Grant in Collections-Based Research, offered by the Western Society of Malacologists, provides financial support for students investigating fossil or recent malacological collections. This grant honors the legacy of James H. McLean, a prominent curator. Eligible applicants include graduate and exceptional undergraduate students focusing on western North American mollusks. The maximum award is $1,500, intended for travel and accommodation related to museum visits for research purposes.

Overview

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 one annual meeting each year. James H. McLean Student Grant in Collections-Based Research The WSM is proud to offer a financial stipend for students to study fossil or recent malacological collections to further their research. This award honors James H. McLean, Curator of Malacology at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County from 1964-2001 and Emeritus Curator until 2013. Research Scope The applicant’s research project must be collections-based and focus on extant, extinct, or fossil western North American mollusks (freshwater, terrestrial, or marine). That taxon or taxa must be found as native or introduced in western North America (California, Oregon, Washington, Baja California, British Columbia, Western Canada, Alaska) or Hawai’i. Funding The maximum award is $1,500 (US dollars) and should be used to support travel and accommodation costs incurred by visiting one or more collections. Collection visits of two or more days are encouraged.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Graduate (masters and Ph.D.) students, undergraduates, and exceptional high school students may apply. Visits to any University-based or Natural History Museum collection (domestic or international) are eligible. Student applicants are responsible for confirming their project's feasibility and arranging visit logistics with the University or Museum's collections manager and/or curator.Students may apply to visit more than one museum and collection in their proposal.

Ineligibility

Collections must not be within a reasonable daily commuting distance of the applicant’s residence, university, or high school. That is, a graduate student living in Los Angeles County may not apply for funds to travel to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, but may apply for funded to travel to the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.Private collections are ineligible.