SVP Field Training Award Grant

The SVP Field Training Award supports students and early career paleontologists needing field training in vertebrate paleontology. It provides a stipend of $1,500 to cover expenses for fieldwork, enhancing professional development through hands-on experience under a mentor. This award addresses the lack of accessible training courses and promotes conservation and research in paleontology, reflecting the Society's mission to protect vertebrate fossils and fossil sites.

About the Society
The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology is a diverse organization of scientists, students, artists, preparators, advocates, writers and scholars across the globe.
The purpose of this Society shall be to:
Advance the science of vertebrate paleontology throughout the world;Serve the common interests and facilitate the cooperation of all persons concerned with the history, evolution, ecology, comparative anatomy and taxonomy of vertebrate animals, as well as the field occurrence, collection and study of fossil vertebrates and the stratigraphy of the beds in which they are found;Support and encourage the discovery, conservation, and protection of vertebrate fossils and fossil sites;Foster the scientific, educational, and personal appreciation and understanding of vertebrate fossils and fossil sites by avocational, student and professional paleontologists and the general public.
The SVP Field Training Award is intended to support postgraduate students, early career paleontologists, preparators, land managers with responsibility for paleontological resources and others in vertebrate paleontology-related positions who can demonstrate a need for field training and the benefits of field training to their professional development in vertebrate paleontology. The recipient will actively participate in fieldwork and receive hands-on training from an experienced paleontologist. The SVP Field Training Award arises from a proposal for an SVP award honoring Mike Getty, Chief Preparator at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, who suddenly passed away on September 11th, 2017, at the age of 50, while excavating a ceratopsian skull in Denver. Mike applied his extensive skill set and knowledge of field techniques to survey and excavate a number of important vertebrate fossil specimens and taught countless volunteers, fellow preparators, students, and early-career paleontologists, passing on the techniques he himself so successfully applied in the field. The Field Training Award also honors all individuals who have contributed to field programs and the preparation of fossils over the years providing the data that drives our profession and understanding of past environments and life.
Nationally there are only a few courses that provide training in vertebrate fossil field techniques and most courses are restricted to students who are registered at the college offering the course. The SVP Field Training Award fills the niche of field training needs in vertebrate paleontology. Promoting and encouraging field training from experienced paleontologists will lead to the conservation of vertebrate fossils and the advancement of research. This award also reflects the Society’s mission to “support and encourage the discovery, conservation, and protection of vertebrate fossils and fossil sites”.
The award aims to provide funding in the first instance of $1,500 for one applicant per cycle. The award amount is intended as a stipend to cover expenses for the applicant to participate in fieldwork and field training. The award amount must be spent on the proposed project within two years of the date of award. If further funds are raised for this award in the coming years, the award amount may be increased, or an additional award may be offered.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include undergraduate and graduate students, early career paleontologists, preparators, land managers with responsibility for paleontological resources and others in vertebrate paleontology-related positions who can demonstrate a need for field training and the benefits of field training to their professional development in vertebrate paleontology. We encourage people who belong to underrepresented groups within vertebrate paleontology to apply.
You must be a member of this organization to apply for this award - become a member. Current membership in SVP is required for both the applicant and mentor. If you have not joined or renewed your membership for the current calendar year, please do so before submitting your application.

Ineligibility

Previous SVP Field Training Award recipients are not eligible.