Louis M. Herman Research Scholarship

BACKGROUND

Louis M. Herman, Ph.D. and Emeritus Professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, was a pioneer and trailblazer in research on dolphin sensory perception and cognition, and humpback whale behavioral ecology. This work was carried out through the world renowned Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal Laboratory (KBMML) that he established in 1969 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He also co-founded The Dolphin Institute (TDI), dedicated to dolphins and whales through education, research, and conservation. KBMML/TDI’s findings on marine mammals were published in over 160 scientific papers and featured in more than 230 national and international media articles, television and radio programs, and documentary films. Dr. Herman’s life’s work significantly influenced marine mammal conservation. It also had an enormous impact on the lives and careers of countless interns, undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, visiting faculty, and volunteers from around the world, all of whom played important roles in the unique research team he assembled over more than four decades. Dr. Herman will always be remembered for his innovative, creative, and scientifically rigorous approach to the study of the marine mammals he so loved, and for the future generations of marine mammal researchers he and his work continue to inspire. Read more about Dr. Herman’s legacy HERE.

Dr. Herman’s family, colleagues, and friends established the Louis M. Herman Research Scholarship in 2017 to honor his legacy, by promoting the type of research that was the focus of his ground-breaking studies. The Scholarship is given every two years.

The 2026 award will be for USD $6,000.

CRITERIA

The Louis M. Herman Research Scholarship supports a research project that contributes to our understanding of either cetacean cognition and sensory perception (laboratory or field studies), or humpback whale behavioral ecology or communication. Work with other marine mammals that especially enhances our understanding of their cognitive abilities will also be considered.

Eligible candidates must be current SMM members and either be enrolled as a graduate student or have completed their Master’s or PhD within the past three years.

Call for Submissions: Applications for the 2026 scholarship are NOW OPEN!

SUBMISSION DETAILS

Applications will be submitted through an online form, which is accessible only to current Society members. Applications must be submitted by the end of the day on Monday, March 16, 2026 All required materials must be uploaded via the submission link below—please click the link for full application details.
The application must include the following materials and be submitted by Monday, March 16th. All materials must be uploaded via the upload link.

  • Personal Information
    • Applicant Name
    • Email
    • Proposal Title
    • School/Affiliation
    • Degree (include date received or anticipated graduation date)
    • Total Project Budget
    • Project Location/Laboratory
    • Project Start Date
    • Project End Date
  • Project Abstract (300 word limit)
    • Briefly summarize your project. (This should be the same as the language you enter in the form).
  • Project Proposal
    • Describe proposed project following the labeled sections below. Proposal should not exceed 4 pages in length (Times font, 12-point type, single-spaced, 1-in margins).
    • Background – Include overarching problem/challenge research will address and literature review
    • Project Importance – What contributions or advancements will the proposed research make to marine mammal science? In addition, what is the role of the proposed work in enhancing our understanding of cetacean (or other marine mammal) cognition and sensory perception or humpback whale behavioral ecology or communication.
    • Project Relevance – Please include how your project reflects or builds upon the research and interests of Dr. Herman and/or how your career has been influenced by his work.
    • Goals and Objectives – Statement of overall goals and measurable objectives
    • Methods – Include project design, location, field site or laboratory procedures, equipment, and analysis plan. If you are working in a laboratory setting, provide information on the research subjects, including their research experience (e.g., # of subjects, sex, age, years of research experience, etc.).
    • Outreach Plan – Please describe in detail how you plan to share your research progress and findings (e.g., presentations, publications, social media, etc.). In addition, please describe any plans for community engagement you have (e.g., classroom engagement, public outreach events, etc.)
    • Project Timeline – Include a time frame for all elements of the project.
  • References Cited
  • Project Personnel
    • List each key person(s) conducting the research and their role (e.g., Project PI, Field Leader, etc., and make sure to list yourself).
  • Applicant Bio (250 word limit)
  • Project Budget
    • A detailed budget, including itemized justification. Please make sure to include:
    • Budget for the full project if it exceeds the award amount
    • How the award monies will be used specifically for the proposed project
    • Information on other funding applied for or already secured
  • Current Curriculum Vitae
  • Letters of Reference
    • Two (2) professional letters of reference.
    • Letters should include the referee’s email address, phone number, and relationship to the applicant. For students, one of these letters should be from the student’s supervisor.
  • Research Permits
    • Verification of necessary research permits and/or authorizations.
  • Degree
    • Verification that the student is currently enrolled in a university degree program or proof of a graduate degree.

All applications must be submitted through the SMM online system (the same platform used for conference abstract submissions). The application form is accessible only to current SMM members. If you are already an SMM member and logged in, click HERE and then select “SMM nominations and scholarships/grants applications“, then select the “Louis Herman Research Scholarship” button to get started:

If you are not a member yet, click HERE to purchase or renew your SMM membership before following the instructions above.

The award recipient will be notified by April 16, 2026, with an expectation that the awardee will submit to present their research project at a subsequent Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. We will award up to an additional $500 to support travel costs contingent on an accepted submission and completed presentation.

ENQUIRIES

Please address all inquiries to the Awards and Scholarships Chair, Kimberley Bennett (awardschair@marinemammalscience.org)

Help carry forward Louis M. Herman’s remarkable legacy by supporting the Research Scholarship that empowers the next generation of marine mammal scientists. Your donation directly invests in innovative research and early-career researchers inspired by Dr. Herman’s lifelong commitment to discovery, education, and conservation.

2024 Louis M Herman Research Scholarship Winners

The 2023-24 call for proposals inspired 15 proposals from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, Hong Kong SAR, Madagascar, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, and the United States of America. The quality of submissions was extremely high and competitive, making the review panel’s task challenging. On April 16thh, 2024, to mark Louis’ birthday, the 2024 Louis M. Herman Research Scholarship recipient was announced. Congratulations to Emma Chereskin, the University of Bristol, UK, for her proposal entitled:

“Vocal communication and the cooperative mind: Exploring vocally mediated collaboration during a polyadic cooperative act in wild bottlenose dolphins”

Emma at work in Shark Bay, Australia

  

You can learn about our past awardees HERE.