James L. Patton Award

History and Mission

The James L. Patton award was established in 2015 to promote and support museum-based research by graduate student members of ASM.  Each year, one $5000 award will be granted to facilitate the direct use of museum specimens, including travel costs to visit collections and associated analytical or equipment costs.  The award honors Jim’s commitment to museum collections and their use in understanding the diversity and evolution of mammals, his passion for mentoring young mammalogists, and his long-standing service to the society.

The James L. Patton Award is a competitive fellowship. Both MS and PhD level students are encouraged to apply. We particularly encourage proposals that include the direct inspection of museum collections, including both traditional and/or novel uses of specimens and their associated data. Although these funds cannot be used to support fieldwork, applicants should mention if their broader project contributes to the development of collections.  The project description should include mention of broader project objectives and the specific component for which collections use is being requested. Applicants must be ASM members and the application must include:

  • Research Proposal
  • Itemized Budget
  • Current CV
  • A letter of support from your Research Advisor that must articulate the need for the funding

The application period is 15 January to 1 March and are accepted using the same form as Grants-in-Aid of Research here.

Donate Now!

You can donate to the James L. Patton award fund (and others) here.