Ralph W. Schreiber Conservation Award Grant

Ralph W. Schreiber Conservation Award Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: American Ornithological Society
Last Updated: November 25, 2025

Summary

The Ralph W. Schreiber Conservation Award, presented by the American Ornithological Society (AOS), honors individuals or small teams for exceptional contributions to bird conservation. Recognizing efforts in applied research, habitat preservation, and educational initiatives, this award aims to encourage the scientific study of birds and promote ethical practices in ornithology. Nominees must be AOS members, ensuring a commitment to the society's mission of fostering a diverse and engaged ornithological community.

Overview

About What is the American Ornithological Society (AOS)? We’re a diverse, global network of empowered professionals, working together to advance the scientific study and conservation of birds. The world’s largest international ornithological society, the AOS is more relevant today than ever, and we’re dedicated to supporting the scientists doing this critical work—for the sake of birds, humanity, and the planet. AOS Vision A broad and engaged ornithological community that advances the understanding and conservation of birds AOS Mission To connect ornithologists, science, and bird conservation by Supporting science that advances the understanding and conservation of birds Promoting broad access to ornithological science Supporting ornithologists throughout their career paths, and Fostering a welcoming, diverse, supportive, and dynamic ornithological community. Conservation Awards The American Ornithological Society (AOS) Conservation Committee bestows two annual awards, the Ralph W. Schreiber Conservation Award and the Conservation Practitioner Award, that recognize ornithologists who are dedicated to the conservation of migratory and resident birds throughout their full annual life cycle. The Committee strives to develop a balanced annual slate of nominees that represents the diversity of individuals not only within the Society’s membership but throughout the field of ornithology. Ralph W. Schreiber Conservation Award The AOS Schreiber Award honors extraordinary conservation-related scientific contributions by an individual or small team. The award is named for Ralph Schreiber, a prominent figure in American ornithology known for his enthusiasm, energy, and dedication to research and conservation, particularly of seabirds. Contributions from throughout the world and over any time course are eligible for this award, which consists of a framed certificate and an honorarium. Activities may include: applied research, restoration, and educational actions that conserve birds, or preserve significant bird habitats; scientific examination of the principles of avian conservation and application of new insights into species restoration; and/or scientific evaluation, guidance, creation, and oversight of avian recovery programs or habitat reserve/restoration programs. All award nominees are expected to have a high standard of ethical and social behavior that is strongly aligned with the AOS Code of Conduct & Ethics.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. In recognition of the large number of ornithologists making outstanding contributions to our science, the AOS Council recommends that the Schreiber Award not be conferred upon the same individual more than once in their lifetime.Generally an individual is expected to receive only one senior Award. However, since the Miller Award recognizes lifetime achievement in ornithological research, it is possible for an individual to receive a Miller Award after receiving a Schreiber or one of the other AOS senior awards, ideally only after an extended period of time since receiving one of the other Senior Awards.An individual nominee for the Schreiber Award must be a member of AOS at the time of nomination; in the case of a team nomination, at least one member of the team must be a member of the society at the time of their nomination. You must be a member of this organization to apply for this award - become a member.