Dear colleagues, The American Cetacean Society-San Francisco Bay Chapter (ACS-SF Bay) would like to encourage students to apply for our upcoming 2015 Student Research Grants.  ACS - SF BAY Guidelines for Student Research Grant: The San Francisco Bay American Cetacean Society chapter 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.  SF Bay ACS chapter 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 in Northern California, with emphasis in the Bay Area. The SF Bay American Cetacean Society chapter has a long-standing commitment to providing young scientists with ‘seed money’ for research projects in cetacean-related disciplines.   Currently, SF Bay ACS chapter grant awards range from $500 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) SF Bay ACS chapter members or whose faculty advisers are active members. SF Bay ACS chapter 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. The National American Cetacean Society and other chapters of ACS 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 of the National American Cetacean Society website: www. acsonline.org. 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 2015 San Francisco Bay American Cetacean Society chapter Small Grants-in-Aid of Research Program is Friday, November 6th, 2015. Funding is limited and proposals will be peer-reviewed for scientific rigor, conservation benefit and cost effectiveness. Awards will be announced on Monday, November 23, 2015.   Applications should be sent by email to Lynette R. Koftinow President San Francisco Bay American Cetacean Society chapter @ acs.sfbay@gmail.com.  Questions regarding the program may also be directed to her. Respectfully, Lynette R. Koftinow President San Francisco Bay American Cetacean Society (415) 937-0641 (office) acs.sfbay@gmail.com