A variety of benefits are available to student members of the American Society of Mammalogists. These include the following:
FELLOWSHIPS IN MAMMALOGY
Applications are solicited for two graduate fellowships in mammalogy for 2007–2008. The fellowships (described below) are intended to promote a professional career in mammalogy by allowing the recipients greater freedom to pursue research, but are not grants in support of specific research projects. These fellowships are the premier awards given to graduate student members of ASM, and are awarded in recognition of both current accomplishments and future potential. Careers of applicants should have progressed sufficiently to demonstrate the potential for productive roles in professional mammalogy. Awards do not preclude support from other sources.
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MAMMALOGISTS FELLOWSHIP IN MAMMALOGY
The Board of Directors of the ASM provides a fellowship in mammalogy for any graduate student member of the ASM enrolled in a college or university for the forthcoming academic year (Fall 2007–Spring 2008). The stipend for 2007–2008 will be $17,000 and will include a set of all available ASM Special Publications. The ASM Fellow will be invited to present the results of his/her research at the Plenary Session of the 2008 Annual Meeting of the ASM.
ALBERT R. AND ALMA SHADLE FELLOWSHIP IN MAMMALOGY
The Albert R. and Alma Shadle Endowment Fund provides a fellowship in mammalogy for a graduate student member of the ASM enrolled in a college or university in the United States for the forthcoming academic year (Fall 2007–Spring 2008). The stipend for 2007–2008 is expected to be approximately $4,000 and also will include a set of all available ASM Special Publications. The Shadle Fellow nominee will be invited to present the results of his/her research at the Plenary Session of the 2008 Annual Meeting of the ASM.
Applications should be submitted electronically through the ASM web site ( http://www.mammalsociety.org/applications/). All electronic applications must consist of 6 items: application form, a description of the applicant's research, a curriculum vita, and 3 letters of recommendation, including 1 from the applicant's research advisor.
Applicants may apply for either or both fellowships with a single application as indicated on the application form. Applications must be received by 1 May 2007. Contact C. William Kilpatrick (C-William.Kilpatrick@uvm.edu) if there are exceptional reasons why an application cannot be submitted electronically. The nominees for both fellowships will be announced at the 2007 Annual Meeting.
LATIN AMERICAN FIELD MAMMALOGY AWARD
The Latin American Student Field Mammalogy award was established to promote the support of field research by Latin Americans in Latin America. Eligible students must be citizens of Latin American countries (excluding Puerto Rico) and enrolled in a graduate program. In 2007, 4 awards of US $1,500 will be available. Proposed projects must be field-oriented investigations of natural history, conservation, ecology, systematics, wildlife biology, biogeography, or behavior. These areas of research in mammalogy are considered equally important by the selection committee. The recipients will be announced at the banquet during the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Mammalogists (ASM), but awardees need not be present to receive the award. Although we encourage applications and letters written in English, documents written in Spanish or Portuguese also are acceptable.
The deadline for applications is 15 May 2007. Application information and forms may be obtained electronically from the ASM web page ( http://www.mammalsociety.org/committees/index.asp).
The completed application form must be accompanied by 2 letters of recommendation, to be written by your graduate advisor and another person familiar with your scientific background and current academic program. We encourage electronic submissions (i.e., scanned images of recommendation letters and electronic forms), although applications may be faxed or mailed. To be considered, the Committee Chair Enrique Lessa, lessa@fcien.edu.uy, must receive the application and letters of recommendation no later than 15 May 2007.
ASM-AIBS GRADUATE STUDENT PUBLIC POLICY INTERNSHIP
The American Society of Mammalogists (ASM) and the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) are pleased to announce the availability of an internship in the Washington, D. C. AIBS Public Policy Office. The internship is open to ASM student members who are currently enrolled in a graduate program and who are engaged in research that involves the study of mammals. The internship is for 3 months during fall 2007, and carries a monthly stipend of $2,000. Selection criteria include demonstrated interest in public policy process, strong communications skills, and excellent academic record.
The AIBS Public Policy Office focuses on science and science education public policy (e.g., federal R&D funding policy). The office does not routinely address environmental policy matters. Additional information about ASM and AIBS can be found on their respective websites ( www.mammalsociety.org, www.aibs.org).
The goal of the ASM-AIBS Public Policy Internship is to provide an opportunity for a student to gain hands-on experience in public policy at the national level that relates generally to biology and specifically to matters of interest to ASM. By working with the AIBS Public Policy Office, the intern will learn how scientific societies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), executive branch agencies (e.g., NSF, NOAA), and the legislative branch interact in crafting public policy. While the intern will work primarily on U.S. policy matters, issues that affect international scientific collaboration (such as U.S. visa policies) as well as concerns particular to non-U.S. entities (primarily Canada and the European Union) will also be tracked and addressed as appropriate. Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: attending science coalition meetings, congressional and agency briefings, hearings, press briefings and other relevant events; assisting AIBS Public Policy Office staff with tracking and analysis of relevant issues; assisting AIBS Public Policy Office staff with planning Capitol Hill briefings or press events; and preparing a written report on the internship experience.
Application requirements:
A letter of application describing the applicant's interest in science policy issues and detailing how this fellowship would enhance his or her professional goals. Applicant should include the names of 2 individuals other than his or her advisor from whom recommendations can be requested. These individuals should be able to address the candidate's leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills.
A two-page resume that emphasizes leadership and communication experience, including graduate, undergraduate, or non-academic activities. It should include the following items: education (including relevant law or policy courses), work experience, honors and awards, memberships, presentations, and publications.
A statement describing the importance of federal support for fundamental mammalian research (500 words maximum). The statement should draw on the applicant's own experience and/or research area and should illustrate how the applicant would try to convince his or her own congressional delegation that federal support for research, particularly on mammals, is important.
A letter of support/recommendation from advisor.
Copies of transcripts from each college or university from which applicant received a degree and/or is currently enrolled. If selected, official transcripts may be required.
Applicants are not required to be ASM members at the time of application but, if selected, must join the Society prior to starting the internship.
All application materials must be received by 1 May 2007 and should be sent to Dr. Alicia V. Linzey, Evaluation Committee Chair, 148 Double Brook Dr., Weaverville, NC 28787. Questions about the award can be addressed to Dr. Linzey at avlinzey@iup.edu.
