Award Range: $100 $1,000 annually The American Cetacean Society Grants-in-Aid of Research fund offers small research grants for direct costs of scientific, field-based projects focusing on cetaceans. The Society invites proposals from all cetacean-related disciplines, including the social sciences, which focus on cetaceans and/or their habitats. ACS particularly welcomes applications from early-career researchers such as graduate students and researchers with less than 10 years post-doctoral experience, and researchers whose work focuses on small cetaceans. The American Cetacean Society has a long-standing commitment to providing young scientists with seed money for research projects in cetacean-related disciplines. Currently, ACS grant awards range from $100 to $1,000; the Society highly encourages funds to be used in a match program to maximize funding potential. Funding is available to applicants who are themselves active (dues-paying) ACS members or whose faculty advisors are active members. ACS funds are intended to strengthen conservation efforts through applied field-based research and opportunities outside of the laboratory. Funds may not be used for salaries, stipends, honoraria, or other compensatory expenses. Chapters of the American Cetacean Society also participate in grant-making initiatives and will also submit Request For Proposals (RFPs) coincident with their funding cycles. For information about specific chapters and their grant-making programs, please visit the Chapter page our website. Proposals should include: 1. Application cover sheet, with title of proposal, field research group, contact information (email, phone and departmental contacts) for the faculty lead or principle investigator (PI), second PI (if applicable) and any proposed graduate student participant list (with contact information). 2. A brief narrative (1-2 pages, single-spaced) describing the research program, overall purpose, specific research objectives/questions, study timeline and benchmarks, significance of the research in advancing our understanding the biology and conservation of cetaceans and/or their habitats, and how the research can or does advance conservation efforts aimed at a particular taxa, species, or habitat. 3. An itemized, one-year budget, including estimated costs for supplies, equipment, travel, etc. Costs should be kept reasonable. A budget justification should be included. Budget should not exceed requested funding amount; however, details of additional funding sources supporting the research and how those funds will be used are helpful in evaluating applications. 4. Curriculum Vitae (CV) for each principle investigator. The application deadline for the 2012 American Cetacean Society Small Grants-in-Aid of Research Program is Monday, May 21st, 2012, and will cover proposed field work to be undertaken through summer of 2012. Funding is limited and proposals will be peer-reviewed for scientific rigor, conservation benefit and cost effectiveness. Awards will be announced on Friday, July 6th, 2012. Applications should be sent by email to Cheryl McCormick, Executive Director, at c.mccormick@acsonline.org. Questions regarding the program may also be directed to her. Respectfully, Cheryl Cheryl M. McCormick, Ph.D. Executive Director American Cetacean Society P.O. Box 1391 San Pedro, CA 90733-1391 (310) 548-6279 (office) c.mccormick@acsonline.org