The Cryptobranchid Interest Group
Jennifer Elwood Hellbender Conservation Grant

January 2012

In honor and memory of Dr. Jennifer R. Lorenz-Elwood, noted salamander biologist, with the aid of several donors, CIG has established a monetary grant to help support research and educational initiatives that contribute to the conservation of hellbenders.

Grant Amount: up to $1,000

Eligibility: Anyone may apply for this award. If funding is provided, the awardee(s) is required to recognize the CIG Jennifer Elwood Hellbender Conservation Grant in all publications and presentations. Copies of reports and publications are to be provided to CIG and reports of progress are to be submitted on an annual basis. CIG also requests that 3-5 images be provided to CIG to post on its website or in CIG publications to promote its support of this project.

Evaluation Criteria: Applications will be evaluated on the basis of the potential of the project to contribute to the biological knowledge and conservation of hellbenders. Important considerations are the significance and originality of the project, design of sampling and analysis, preliminary data supporting the feasibility of the project, the likelihood of successful completion and publication, and the overall application towards hellbender conservation.

Application Procedure:

  1. Use the application form available to download the from the CIG website: http://cig.caudata.org/files/CIG Jennifer Elwood Grant Application 12.doc, or contact Diane Barber: dbarber@fortworthzoo.org.
  2. Provide all information requested on the application, including a description of the project.
  3. Applications must be accompanied by curriculum vitae(s) of principle investigator(s), copies of appropriate permits, and letters of support (if applicable).
  4. Completed application materials must be electronically submitted in a single PDF format by 24 February to: dbarber@fortworthzoo.org.
  5. The grant recipient(s) will be selected by the CIG steering committee and will be notified of his/her selection by 15 March of the same calendar year.