Dear Marine Mammal Community,

Applications are now open for the Louis M. Herman Research Scholarship, a $6,000 USD award supporting early-career research on marine mammal cognition and behaviour. The deadline to apply is Monday, March 16, 2026.

The scholarship supports innovative research aligned with Dr. Herman’s legacy, including work on cetacean cognition, sensory perception, humpback whale behavioral ecology and communication, and other studies that advance understanding of marine mammal cognition.

Eligibility requirements:

• Graduate students or individuals who have completed a Master’s or PhD within the past three years
• Current members of the Society for Marine Mammalogy (SMM) at the time of application.

Non-members must join SMM before accessing and submitting the application form.

BACKGROUND

The scholarship honors the legacy of Louis M. Herman, a pioneer in dolphin sensory perception and cognition and humpback whale behavioral ecology. Dr. Herman founded the Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal Laboratory in 1969 and co-founded The Dolphin Institute, shaping decades of groundbreaking research and mentoring generations of marine mammal scientists.

Established in 2017 by his family, colleagues, and friends, the Louis M. Herman Research Scholarship is awarded biennially to support research aligned with his innovative and rigorous scientific approach.

SUBMISSION DETAILS

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, click the link below and select "Louis Herman Research Scholarship" to start your submission: https://www.xcdsystem.com/smm/login.cfm?uuid=DE9DBCF0-5056-BF5E-8D9367888FC46BF1&reviewid=172755&token=A6723E6C-BE66-2515-4E0CCDD10B6AC1D1

If you are not a member yet, please login to your SMM profile to purchase membership before you navigate to the online system to complete your submission.

Deadline: Monday, March 16, 2026
All materials must be uploaded via the online form, which includes full application instructions.

The award recipient will be notified in April 2026. The awardee is expected to present their research results at a future Biennial Conference. Up to an additional $500 USD will be available to support travel costs, contingent upon an accepted submission and completed presentation.

QUESTIONS

For questions about the scholarship or application process, please contact:
Dr. Kimberley Bennett
Awards and Scholarships Chair
awardschair@marinemammalscience.org

For technical questions related to the submission form:
admin@marinemammalscience.org