Paleontology Grants

Last updated October 10, 2026

Grantable tracks 38 active paleontology grants in its free grants database, drawn from foundation sources and updated daily. 24 list an award amount, with a median of $1,000.

Grants tracked: 38; from 21 funders
Median award: $1,000; middle half $1,000–$3,000
Total listed funding: $219K; across 24 grants that list an amount
Rolling deadlines: 0; 0 with a published date

On this page: Foundation · Updated daily

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Grant	Deadline ▲	Amount
Karl Hirsch Memorial Research Grants Western Interior Paleontological Society · Foundation Not published · Up to $1K The Karl Hirsch Memorial Grants, established in honor of Karl Hirsch, support innovative research in paleontology and related fields. These grants fund activities such as museum travel, specimen collection, and advanced analyses.	Not published	Up to $1K
The Leakey Foundation: Research Grants The Leakey Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $30K The Leakey Foundation offers research grants aimed at advancing the understanding of human origins.	Not published	Up to $30K
Eugene and Carolyn Shoemaker Impact Cratering Award Grant Geological Society of America Foundation · Foundation Not published · $3K The Eugene and Carolyn Shoemaker Impact Cratering Award offers $3000 for research on impact craters on Earth or other celestial bodies.	Not published	$3K
James H. McLean Student Grant in Collections-Based Research Western Society of Malacologists · Foundation Not published · Up to $2K 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.	Not published	Up to $2K
SVP Outreach and Education Grant Society of Vertebrate Paleontology · Foundation Not published · Varies The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP) offers the Outreach and Education Grant to foster understanding and appreciation of vertebrate fossils.	Not published	Varies
Winifred Goldring Award Grant Association for Women Geoscientists · Foundation Not published · $2K The Winifred Goldring Award, presented by the Association for Women Geoscientists, offers a $2000 cash prize and membership in the Paleontological Society to an outstanding female student in paleontology.	Not published	$2K
Drs. Emily H. and Harold E. Vokes Grants-in-Aid for Invertebrate Paleontology Collection-based Research University of Florida · Foundation Not published · Up to $500 The Drs. Emily H. and Harold E. Vokes Grants-in-Aid for Invertebrate Paleontology Collection-based Research, offered by the Florida Museum of Natural History, provides one or two grants of up to $500 each year.	Not published	Up to $500
John Jenkins Memorial Scholarships Grant Western Interior Paleontological Society · Foundation Not published · Up to $1K The John Jenkins Memorial Scholarships, offered by the Western Interior Paleontological Society, support WIPS members pursuing education in paleontology or related fields. These scholarships honor John Jenkins, a former WIPS President.	Not published	Up to $1K
Arthur James Boucot Research Grant Paleontological Society · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K The Arthur James Boucot Research Grant, established by Dr. Arthur James Boucot and Barbara Boucot, supports original research conducted by early career paleontologists, including postdoctoral students and pre-tenure assistant professors.	Not published	Up to $5K
Jurassic Foundation Grants The Jurassic Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $3K The Jurassic Foundation offers grants to support research on dinosaur paleontology, encouraging students and researchers from developing nations.	Not published	Up to $3K
David B. Jones Foundation Grant David B Jones Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The David B. Jones Foundation Grant supports educational, research, and charitable initiatives in paleontology within the United States.	Not published	Varies
René M. Vandervelde Research Grant Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences · Foundation Not published · $1K The René M. Vandervelde Research Grant, offered by the Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences, provides $1000 annually to support students and researchers in marine paleontology, geology, or stratigraphy of the Late Cretaceous…	Not published	$1K
Norman H. Foster Memorial Scholarship Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Patterson Memorial Grant Society of Vertebrate Paleontology · Foundation Not published · Varies The Patterson Memorial Grant, named after Dr. Bryan Patterson, supports innovative student field work in Vertebrate Paleontology.	Not published	Varies

Showing 25–38 of 38

About paleontology grants

Paleontology grants fund fossil research, fieldwork, collections, and education for students, early-career researchers, and institutions. Funders include the National Science Foundation for fundamental research, the National Geographic Society for field projects, the Jurassic Foundation for dinosaur paleontology, and the Paleontological Society for research, outreach, and education. These awards are especially valuable for students and researchers with limited funding.

A long list is the starting point, not the shortlist. Our grant prospecting guide shows how to narrow paleontology grants down to the funders most likely to say yes, using their giving records.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much money do paleontology grants award?

Of the 38 paleontology grants Grantable lists as of October 10, 2026, 24 publish an award amount. The median listed award is $1,000, and the middle half fall between $1,000 and $3,000. The largest is $145K. Amounts are each grant's stated maximum, so a typical award can be smaller.

Which funders offer the most paleontology grants?

By number of active listings, the leading funders are Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (9), Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences (3), Paleontological Society (3), Western Interior Paleontological Society (3), and Association for Women Geoscientists (2). In all, 21 funders have at least one active grant in this category.

When are paleontology grants due?

Of 38 grants listed, 1 run on a stated cycle (such as annual or quarterly) without a published date and 37 don't publish a deadline, so check the funder's site.

What grants are available for paleontology?

Paleontology grants fund field research, fossil collection and curation, lab analysis, and education and outreach. The Jurassic Foundation awards grants for dinosaur paleontology research, the National Geographic Society funds field projects, and the Paleontological Society offers research, outreach, and education grants. NSF supports broader research and graduate fellowships relevant to paleontology and earth science.

Who funds paleontology research?

Funders include the National Science Foundation, the National Geographic Society, the Jurassic Foundation, and the Paleontological Society, along with university and museum-affiliated programs. The Jurassic Foundation focuses specifically on dinosaur paleontology and prioritizes students and researchers with limited funding, while National Geographic emphasizes early-career field researchers. Match your project to each funder's scope and career-stage focus.

Are there grants for students and early-career paleontologists?

Yes. The Jurassic Foundation awards research grants to students, postdoctoral researchers, and scientists with limited funding, and NSF's Graduate Research Fellowship Program supports graduate students in STEM fields including paleontology. The Paleontological Society also offers student-oriented research and education grants. Because many awards are modest, applicants often combine several sources to fund a single field season or project.

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