American Society of Primatologists
/OVERVIEW: The American Society of Primatologists is an educational and scientific organization dedicated to the conservation and research of nonhuman primates. Its grants and awards support scientific research and wildlife conservation, and recognize outstanding individuals in the field.
IP TAKE: This funder’s grants tend to be modest, as grantmaking is not the foundation’s primary purpose. However, it may be a valuable research to any student or scientist interested in primate research or conservation. While the society accepts applications for most of its programs, it is less approachable for general inquiries and does not provide a direct avenue for getting in touch.
PROFILE: Established in 1976, the American Society of Primatologists (ASP) is an educational and scientific organization that “promotes and encourages the discovery and exchange of information regarding primates.” Overall, its work consists of initiatives to promote the study of primates and attract students to the field, efforts to protect endangered primates and stop the loss of critical habitats, and the collaboration and sharing of knowledge among scientists around the world. In terms of grants and awards, the foundation offers research grants, conservation grants, scholarships, excellence awards for students, and awards to recognize outstanding achievements of career scientists.
Grants for Animals and Wildlife Conservation
The Conservation grant supports “conservation research or related projects, including conservation education.” ASP is particularly interested in helping local organizations based in “habitat countries” that may have difficulty obtaining funding from other international sources. Grants are for up to $2,000 and may fund individual projects or work that contributes to larger projects. ASP accepts applications from January 1 to January 31. The foundation also grants the Conservation Award, a $750 prize that recognizes “students and early career investigators from habitat countries who demonstrate potential for making significant and continuing contributions to primate conservation.” The foundation prioritizes recipients for whom “the prestige of an ASP award or grant can be a valuable aid to the recipient's conservation efforts.” To learn more about Conservation grantees, examine the foundation’s past recipients list.
Grants for Scientific Research
The ASP’s Research Grants program supports “captive or wild primate-oriented research” that is not related to conservation or conservation education. It prioritizes projects with a “clear testable hypotheses that will add to the general knowledge in primatology.” Grants range from $500 to $1,500. To learn more about past small grant recipients, explore ASPs list of past recipients.
The Dr. Deborah Moore Award is available to early career primatologists who have completed their doctoral degree but are not currently tenured university faculty members or on the tenure track. Grants are $2,000 and fund hypothesis-driven research projects. The foundation accepts applications until May 1.
The Primate Welfare Award is given to the presenter of an outstanding oral or poster presentation at the ASP’s annual meeting. The award is intended to recognize “high quality research that directly and significantly enhances the welfare and/or psychological well-being of captive nonhuman primates” or “research that provides a better understanding of the welfare of captive nonhuman primates.”
Finally, the ASP grants a handful of Recognition and Service Awards to those who have made “extensive and significant contributions” to the primatological community. The Distinguished Primatologist Award honors “outstanding career and significant contributions.” The Distinguished Service Award recognizes long-term service to the American Society of Primatologists itself. The Senior Research Award honors significant research contributions by individuals who “have not received the highest degree offered in their field.” The President's Award is also given to individuals or to organizations that have made unique and exceptional contributions to primatology.
Grants for Higher Education
A limited number of ASP grants are available to undergraduate and graduate students. The Student Prize Award is given to the best oral presentation and the best poster presentation given by a student registrant at the ASP’s annual meeting. The Maderas Rainforest Conservancy Scholarship is awarded to one outstanding undergraduate or graduate student each year to attend a research and career training field course at a research station in South America.
Important Grant Details:
Grants tend to range from $750 to $2,000. While there are no specific geographical restrictions, non-U.S. organizations that are not based or operating in a country with major primate habitats will likely not have much success.
The ASP accepts applications or nominations for most of its grants and awards. Guidelines and deadlines may vary by program.
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