Emily B. Shane Award – Eligibility and Application

The Emily B Shane Award

The Emily B. Shane Award (EBS) supports conservation-oriented, non-harmful[1]  field research on free-ranging Odontocetes and Sirenians.  The award honours Emily B. Shane (1924-1995), a fine amateur naturalist and dedicated conservationist.  Funds are awarded to projects with clear conservation priorities for an odontocete or sirenian species, population, or habitat critical to the species. Research that also positively impacts a local human community in terms of increased public awareness, capacity building, or education will be given special consideration.

The total fund available is US$10,000 (eqv. ~Colombian Pesos (COP) 38,000,000, ~Euro 8,500, ~Indian Rupees (INR) 735,500, ~ Chinese Yuan (RMB) 64,500, Australian Dollar (AUD) 13,500).  The award committee may opt to divide the award among two or more applicants. Projects must start no earlier than 1 January 2022 and project duration may not exceed 1 year.

APPLICATION FOR THE  2022 EBS AWARD IS CLOSED. WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY 

Evaluation Criteria
Eligibility: All society members may apply for this award and the application should be submitted by the primary person conducting the research.

The application is via online submission at the dedicated link below. All proposals must include the following:

  • A proposal; not exceeding three pages in length (Times font, 12 point type, single space, 2 cm margins). Sections must include a) summary of proposed research, b) objectives of the study, c) methods, d) role of the proposed work in conservation, e) the time period for the research, f) person(s) conducting the field research and role of each, and g) literature cited.  To ease assessment, the proposal must be submitted via this template. Download the template before filling it in. Convert to pdf format before upload.
  • A detailed budget; including other funding applied for, or already held, for the proposed research. Each item of expenditure must be detailed and justified. Funding requests should be for direct field research expenses only although stipends for field researcher costs while in the field may be included.
  • Research permits; or authorisation from appropriate authorities. If research permits are not required, the detailed reasons must provided in a document.
  • Current C.V. of the applicant; max three pages in length.
  • Three (3) reference letters; letters must include the relationship of the reference provider to the applicant.
  • For students; the supervisor must provide a letter of support. The supervisors letter will count as one of the three reference letters

Any questions can be directed to the awards committee at awardschair@marinemammalscience.org

 

[1] Non-harmful research is that which poses a minimal risk to the health and life of an individual animal and to other species within the ecosystem. Research that entails capture or invasive techniques is acceptable only if carried out by competent, experienced personnel and provides clear benefits in terms of conservation and scientific knowledge. Applicant must document previous experience and outcomes.