Herpetologists' League E.E. Williams Research Grant
Offered by The Herpetologists' League
About This Scholarship
The Herpetologists' League's E.E. Williams Research Grant funds graduate student research on amphibians and reptiles, honoring Ernest E. Williams, the League's first Distinguished Herpetologist. One winner is chosen in each of five categories — Behavior, Conservation, Ecology, Physiology/Functional Morphology, and Diversity/Evolution — with each award worth up to $1,000.
The application is a compact research package: a cover page, a proposal capped at 1,200 words, a detailed budget listing current and pending support, and a two-page CV, combined into a single PDF and emailed to the grant coordinator, plus one letter of support sent separately. Projects must be the applicant's own original work, cannot already be fully funded elsewhere, and need an approved animal-care (IACUC) protocol.
Two features make this award notable for early-career herpetologists: every proposal gets written feedback from at least two professional scientists — rare for a small grant — and winners are announced at the League's summer business meeting, with funding dispersed in May.
Eligibility
- Member in good standing of The Herpetologists' League (student membership rates apply)
- Registered and in good standing in a degree-granting graduate program (MS and PhD students are eligible)
- One proposal per applicant per year; project must be original work authored and conducted by the applicant
- Projects already fully supported by other funding sources are not eligible
- Previous winners are not eligible in subsequent years
How To Apply
- Join The Herpetologists' League if you are not already a member
- Prepare the application: cover page (from the HL website), proposal of up to 1,200 words (double-spaced, 12-point font), detailed budget with current/pending support, and a two-page CV
- Designate one proposal category: Behavior, Conservation, Ecology, Physiology/Functional Morphology, or Diversity/Evolution
- Include your IACUC protocol number or explanation, and combine everything into a single PDF named with your name and category
- Email the package to the grant coordinator with "EE Williams Research Grant" in the subject line by 5 p.m. Central on December 15, and arrange for one letter of support to be sent separately
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I win?
Up to $1,000. One award is made in each of five categories (Behavior, Conservation, Ecology, Physiology/Functional Morphology, and Diversity/Evolution), so five grants are presented each year.
Can undergraduates apply?
No. The grant is for graduate students — MS and PhD candidates registered and in good standing in a degree-granting program — who are Herpetologists' League members.
Do I get feedback if I don't win?
Yes. Every proposal is reviewed by at least two professional scientists who provide written feedback by May, which makes this grant a useful proposal-writing exercise even for non-winners.