Help SVP honor those who are dedicated to advancing the field of vertebrate paleontology — donate to your favorite SVP fund today.

Want to apply for or nominate a colleague for an SVP award, grant or prize? View the criteria.

Unrestricted Donations

In 1986 the Society established a general fund to meet the needs of the science as determined annually by the Executive Committee. Initially the income was applied largely to support the Bibliography of Fossil Vertebrates. In recent years funds have also been used to support other strategic initiatives of the society.

Donations to the following SVP funds will be used according to the terms of the fund unless otherwise noted.

Estes Memorial Grant Fund

The Richard Estes Memorial Grant Fund was established to enhance graduate student research in non-mammalian vertebrate paleontology, with emphasis on systematics, morphology, biogeography and paleoecology. Learn about the work of past Estes Memorial Grant recipients.

Government Affairs Fund

Supports monitoring and education programs related to legislation and government programs that impact vertebrate paleontology.

Jackson School of Geosciences Student Member Travel Grant Fund

Travel fund assistance awarded to selected Student Members whose abstracts have been accepted for presentation at the SVP Annual Meeting. Read more about the Jackson School of Geosciences Student Member Travel Grant.

Lanzendorf PaleoArt Prize Fund

The John J. Lanzendorf PaleoArt Prize was created to recognize outstanding achievements in art in vertebrate paleontology and is supported through the generosity of PaleoArt collector John J. Lanzendorf. Three awards are given in the categories of: two-dimensional art, three-dimensional art and scientific illustration. Learn about past Lanzendorf PaleoArt Prize recipients.

Patterson Memorial Grant Fund

This award, named in honor of Dr. Bryan Patterson, supports innovative and venturesome student (undergraduate or graduate) field work in vertebrate paleontology. Particular consideration is given to proposals that are innovative rather than routine, venturesome rather than predictable, unusual rather than run of the mill. Learn about the work of past Patterson Memorial Grant recipients.

Predoctoral Fellowship Grant Fund

This fellowship is intended to promote a professional career in vertebrate paleontology by allowing the recipient greater freedom to pursue research during the final stages of the doctoral program. Learn about the work of past Predoctoral Fellowship Grant recipients.

Preparators' Grant Fund

The Preparators' Grant Fund was established to further the field of vertebrate paleontology through preparation and study of methods and materials used to reveal and preserve fossil information. Preference is given to proposals for training and workshops — primarily travel expenses to learn or teach preparation. Learn about the work of past Preparators' Grant recipients.

Romer Prize Fund

The Alfred Sherwood Romer Prize recognizes outstanding and scientific contribution in vertebrate paleontology by a predoctoral student. It is awarded on the basis of the scientific value of the study and the quality of the oral presentation. Learn more about Dr. Romer and the work of past Romer Prize recipients.

Skinner Award Fund

The Morris F. Skinner Award honors outstanding and sustained contributions to scientific knowledge in the making of important collections of fossil vertebrates, or the encouragement, training and teaching of others in the field. Learn about the work of past Skinner Award recipients.

Colbert Award Fund (formerly the Student Poster Prize Fund)

Established to recognize the best student poster presentation at the SVP Annual Meeting. Learn more about past Colbert Award recipients.

SVP Sponsored Field and Topical Conferences Fund

Established in 2005 to support advancement of the science of vertebrate paleontology through field and topical conferences

The Vertebrate Paleontology Education and Research Fund

The Vertebrate Paleontology Education and Research Fund is a temporarily restricted fund created to support ongoing as well as major new initiatives.

Donations to an SVP fund will be used according to the terms of the fund unless otherwise noted.

Make an online donation, or download a PDF of the donation form, and mail to SVP Headquarters.