INTERNATIONAL HERPETOLOGICAL SYMPOSIUM
GRANTS
The International Herpetological Symposium (IHS) has established a grant program to provide financial assistance to individuals or organizations conducting herpetological research, conservation, and education. Proposals are due by April 30 of each year, and recipients are announced by September. Grants are available annually in amounts up to $1000 and will be awarded to applicants whose projects represent a significant contribution to herpetology.
Beginning in 2023, the grant will no longer have specific categories for submission and consideration. Applications are encouraged that support novel efforts to expand or improve upon the areas of herpetological natural history, behavior, conservation biology, captive reproduction/husbandry, and/or education. The total number of grants and amounts awarded will depend solely upon the balance of the dedicated grant fund in any given year.
Applicants may be anyone from the herpetological community and must meet the standards as outlined in the grant application. Recipients will have to agree to the following CONDITIONS OF ACCEPTANCE:
Recipients will be required to present their findings at a future symposium, either in person or via poster at their own expense.
Information gained from the project must be made available to the public.
IHS, Inc. must receive a summary or final report by the dates indicated. Include a summary of project objectives or methods used, conclusions, recommendations and a statement of expenses.
IHS will be acknowledged as a sponsor in any printed materials produced as a result of the project (copy of the IHS logo can be available upon request)
All research must abide all local, state and federal laws, and any research involving live animals must adhere to regulations listed under the USDA Animal Welfare Act.
IHS grants do not pay for overhead of any kind.
The IHS Grant Fund is made available through the fundraising efforts of an annual Silent Auction and dedicated donations. Over $29,000 has been provided to worthy projects since 2012.
Additional information and grant application available on the IHS website: http://www.internationalherpetologicalsymposium.com
APPLICATION DOWNLOAD
DEADLINE APRIL 30, 2024
APPLICATION OPEN
IHS GRANT
RECIPIENTS
2023
Calvin Vick & Stephen Mackessy (University of Northern Colorado)
Range Wide Venom Characterization of the Arizona Black Rattlesnake (Crotalus cerberus)
2022
Gregory Pandelis (University of Texas at Arlington)
NATURAL HISTORY
Natural History and Diversity of the Enigmatic Assemblage of Herpetofauna of Northern Thailand
Colleen Winters Ph.D (Towson University)
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
Microsatellite discovery and genetic analysis of critically endangered Kinixys homeana populations
Brad Lock &Thomas Schrei (Oklahoma City Zoo) CAPTIVE PROPAGATION
Use of ultrasound imaging and blood lactate concentration to assess the reproductive stage and captive welfare of the Guatemalan Beaded Lizard
2021
María José Navarrete-Méndez and Rebecca Tarvin Ph.D. (University of California Berkeley)
NATURAL HISTORY
The Origin and Evolution of Tetrodotoxin Acquisition in Harlequin Frogs (Atelopus, Bufonidae) from the
Northern Andes
Caitlin Aitken (University of the West of England Bristol, United Kingdom)
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
Using eDNA surveying as a novel method of assessing population distribution of the Ambystoma
mexicanum in Mexico City’s wetland, Xochimilco
H.T. Lalremsanga (Mizoram University, India)
EDUCATION
Educating young minds for snakebite management and conservation of snakes in Mizoram, India
2020
Heidi Ross & Kevin Barrett (Fundación EVACC, Panama)
CAPTIVE PROPOGATION
Design, fabrication, and testing of mesocosms for the reintroduction of endangered Panamanian amphibians
Dr. Julia Riley (Stellenbosch University, South Africa)
NATURAL HISTORY
Scaly sociality: investigating family living in armadillo lizards
Prakash Chandra Aryal & Chandramani Aryal (Environment, Protection, and Study Center, Nepal)
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
Trapped in the Anthropogenic landscape: conservation status of critically endangered Elongata tortoise at Bara district, Nepal
Hiral Naik (Save the Snakes, South Africa)
EDUCATION
Assessing human-snake conflict in rural areas: the use of education tools to create awareness
2019
Edgardo Griffith & Robert Hill (Fundación EVACC, Panama)
CAPTIVE PROPOGATION
Outfitting a new captive-breeding facility for critically endangered Panamanian amphibians
Sarah Goodnight (East Carolina University)
NATURAL HISTORY
Effects of Halipegus spp. parasite infection on vocalizations and intraspecific communication in the green
tree frog Hyla cinerea
Erika Kubisch (Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Argentina)
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
Pomona aqueduct: Deadly trap and geographic barrier for the Argentine Land Tortoise. Mitigation proposals
Clement Sullibie Saagulo (Threatened Species Conservation Alliance, Ghana)
EDUCATION
Saving the Vulnerable West African Dwarf Crocodile from Urban Extinction in the Kumasi Metropolis,
Ghana
2018
Kinsey M. Brock (University of California, Merced)
NATURAL HISTORY
Causes and consequences of color polymorphism in an endemic island lizard
Adam G. Clause (University of Georgia)
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
Dragons in the mist: Species discovery and cloud forest conservation in a biodiversity hotspot
Arun Kanagavel (Conservation Research Group, Kochi)
EDUCATION
Busting the myth of consumption of threatened chelonians for curing hemorrhoids in Kerala, India
2017
Sophia Larsen & Adam Brandt (St. Norbert College)
NATURAL HISTORY
Toll-like receptor gene diversity in turtles (Order: Testudines) and implications for disease resistance
Alexandra Vlk (State University of New York, College at Oneonta)
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
Wood turtle (Gylptemys insculpta) nesting ecology, mating behavior and genetic diversity in disturbed and undisturbed habitats
Ellie Milnes & Pauline Delnatte (Toronto Zoo)
CAPTIVE PROPAGATION
A pilot study using laboratory-raised hematophagous triatomine bugs for low-stress minimally-invasive blood sampling of zoo reptiles and amphibians
Akwasi Anokye (Threatened Species Conservation Alliance)
EDUCATION
Mitigating human-crocodile conflicts: A bottom-up approach in the Obuasi municipality, Ghana
2016
Deb Prasad Pandey (Tribhuvan University)
NATURAL HISTORY
Food spectrum of common krait (Bungarus caeruleus): An implication for snakebit prevention and biodiversity conservation
Alexander Shepack Southern Illinois University)
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY – 1st PLACE
Back from the brink: Rebounding amphibian populations in a pathogen enzootic environment
Kristina Chyn (Texas A&M University)
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY – 2nd PLACE
Effects of roads on endemic Taiwan reptiles and amphibians
Ellen Bronson & Amy Rifkin (Maryland Zoo in Baltimore)
CAPTIVE PROPAGATION
Bioaccumulation of Itraconazole
Sean C. Sterrett, Evan H.C. Grant & Chris Sutherland (Pennsylvania State University & U.S. Geological Survey)
EDUCATION
Integrating science and society: Improving public awareness about the link between climate change and local conservation issues using terrestrial salamanders as a model system
2015
Rachel Rhymer (California State University, Northridge)
NATURAL HISTORY
Determining the role of maternal care in an Argentinean lizard
Courtney Miller (University of New Orleans)
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
Distribution of the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) in amphibians in a major biodiversity hotspot in Cameroon
Drew Foster (Phoenix Zoo)
CAPTIVE PROPAGATION
Yuman fringe-toed lizards at the Phoenix Zoo: Captive propagation and an investigation into temperature sex determination in the species
Shailendra & Arunima Singh (TSA/India)
EDUCATION
Turtles in the schools
2014
Nelson Melendez (St. Joseph's University)
NATURAL HISTORY
Diet of bog turtles (Glyptemys muhlenbergii): Diet comparison from populations found in northern and southern New Jersey
Brad Lock (Zoo Atlanta)
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
Conservation genetics and population surveys of threatened endemic reptiles in Guatemala
Jerry Fife
CAPTIVE PROPAGATION
Genetic testing of Galapagos tortoises in the private sector
Shailendra Singh (TSA/India)
EDUCATION
Promoting nature conservation awareness among urbanites of Lucknow and adjoining cities through Kukrail Guided Nature Tour (KGNT)
2013
Kyle Hesed (University of Maryland)
NATURAL HISTORY
Natural history of the Red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereous): Sex-biased dispersal, kin selection and mating systems
Michelle Thompson (Florida International University)
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
Diversity of amphibian and reptile community assembly in tropical secondary forest: The interaction between functional traits and environmental characteristics
2012
Dustin Rhodes (University of Mississippi)
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
Transpecos ratsnake study
Deb Pandey
EDUCATION
Attitudes, knowledge and awareness of snakes and snakebites among Chitwan National Park buffer zone people: Implication for conservation and public health in southern Nepal