Mood:
sharpTopic: Out in the Field
NEWS RELEASE
The Center for North American Herpetology
Lawrence, Kansas
http://www.cnah.org
25 February 2009
DEAN E. METTER MEMORIAL FUND APPLICATION
Deadline Extended Until 30 March 2009
Dean E. (Doc) Metter (1932-2001) was a long-time member of the biology faculty at the
University of Missouri-Columbia, where he taught zoology, comparative anatomy,
evolution, and herpetology. A believer in putting knowledge to the test in the field, Doc
provided frequent opportunities for students to engage in fieldwork. In addition, he
frequently assisted his graduate students as they ventured out to collect data. Doc was a
co-founder of the Bobby Witcher Society, the legacy of which is a scholarship fund. For
many years, the interest earned served to reward outstanding herpetology students who
intended to continue their education and seek a career in vertebrate biology. That fund
now serves a similar purpose by honoring Doc's memory while helping to fund the SSAR-
administered Dean E. Metter Memorial Award.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Award is: (1) to honor the memory of Dean E. Metter; (2) to encourage
students to pursue field research in herpetology; and (3) to facilitate field research in
herpetology by providing funds for relevant expenses.
AMOUNT
Grants made from the award will be no less than $300 and no more than $1,000. Efforts
will be made to fund as many eligible proposals as possible.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student in an
accredited college or university and be conducting field-based research in herpetology.
This research may occur anywhere in the world, but priority will be given to research
conducted in the state of Missouri.
ELIGIBLE EXPENSES
Expenses eligible for funding include: (1) travel expenses (e.g., mileage, airfare) associated
with the field research project; and (2) equipment for field-based research (e.g., materials
for drift fences, traps, etc.). Funds may not be used for salaries or any other personnel
expenses, travel to meetings, equipment or supplies for laboratory-based research (even if
applicable to the project), or overhead or indirect costs.
CRITERIA FOR AWARDS
The following criteria will be used to make awards:
A. Scientific merit of the proposed project:
B. Nature of the proposed project; priority will be given, in order, to proposals that fall into
the following categories:
1. Natural history studies (e.g., habitat utilization, life tables, demography, reproductive
strategies, behavior).
2. Functional morphology (i.e., relationships between structure and function, particularly
as these relate to natural history parameters).
3. Biogeographic studies, including elucidation of biodiversity in a given area (e.g.,
regional or national biotic surveys), efforts to determine historical events leading to
current distribution patterns, and effects resulting from introductions of alien species.
4. Evolutionary studies (establishing phylogenies based on morphological or genetic
criteria)
5. Other.
C. Relevance of the field component to the overall execution of the proposed project.
APPLICATIONS AND AWARDS
In keeping with the Society's goal of encouraging participation by the broadest possible
community, preference may be given to individuals who might not have access to other
funding sources. All applicants must be members of the SSAR. Past recipients of an SSAR
GIH award in any category are not eligible for this award. Each proposal must include the
following:
(A) TITLE PAGE giving the title of the project, the name, mailing address, office and home
telephone numbers and, if possible, fax number and e-mail address of the applicant. The
title page should include a statement indicating that applicants "will comply with all
applicable permit regulations, and adhere to all appropriate animal care guidelines in the
course of conducting funded projects."
(B) BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES of the proposed project.
(C) METHODS for carrying out the project.
(D) COMPLETE PROJECT BUDGET (indicating for which expenses support is being solicited),
including a listing of all current and pending support for the project.
(E) BRIEF RESUME of the applicant.
(F) LETTER OF SUPPORT from the research advisor, which also will serve to confirm
enrollment at an accredited institution. The proposal must be typed, double spaced, and
must not exceed 1,200 words, excluding title page, literature cited, CV (resume), and
budget. Proposals should be submitted electronically as email attachments. Submit
proposals or questions regarding application procedures to the Chair of the Metter Award
Committee, Joseph J. Beatty, at
beattyj@science.oregonstate.edu
NOTE
All proposals must be submitted no later than 30 March to be considered; SSAR dues must
be paid by the preceding 31 December. Failure to meet these guidelines may result in
elimination of a proposal from consideration. Awards will be announced on or around 15
April. Successful applicants are encouraged to submit the results of their research for
publication in the Journal of Herpetology or Herpetological Review, or to present their
findings at the annual meeting of the SSAR.
