Dean Amadon Research Grant

The Dean Amadon Research Grant is a specialized funding opportunity offered by the Raptor Research Foundation (RRF), a prominent organization dedicated to the advancement of scientific understanding and conservation of birds of prey worldwide. Named in honor of Dr. Dean Amadon, a legendary ornithologist and former Lamont curator of birds at the American Museum of Natural History, the grant reflects his lifelong contributions to avian systematics. Dr. Amadon was a prolific scholar, publishing over 400 works largely focused on the taxonomy and distribution of raptors. His generous endowment of AT&T stock in the late 1990s formed a key part of RRF’s Memorial Endowment Fund, which supports this grant. The Dean Amadon Research Grant specifically targets research on the distribution and systematics, or taxonomy, of raptors. The term "systematics" encompasses a wide spectrum of research areas, including molecular studies, population genetics, and behavioral differences such as differential migration patterns among geographic groups. Likewise, "distribution" broadly refers to spatial patterns in raptor presence and movement, helping to explain both where raptors live and the ecological or environmental reasons for those locations. Projects may span a variety of subdisciplines but must ultimately contribute to scholarly understanding of raptor diversity and biogeography. The maximum award under this grant is $4,500, and recipients also receive waived page charges for publishing their findings in the Journal of Raptor Research, provided they are the primary author and the research aligns with the subject of the funded work. Only one grant is awarded per year, making it a highly competitive and prestigious opportunity. The funding can be used to support diverse research needs such as fieldwork, lab analysis, equipment, travel, and other direct costs that facilitate the execution of the proposed study. Applicants must submit a detailed application through the RRF’s online portal, which opens annually in January. The final submission deadline is June 30 each year. Required materials include a one-page cover letter detailing the motivations, objectives, and expected outcomes of the research; a current CV; and a project proposal not exceeding five pages. The proposal must include background context, study objectives and methods, a detailed budget, a list of other funding sources, expected results, and a page of literature cited. Additionally, applicants are asked to submit a photograph of themselves, preferably taken in the field, to accompany any public announcement of the award. All applications are reviewed by a panel of experts associated with the Raptor Research Foundation, who assess proposals based on scientific merit, feasibility, alignment with grant objectives, and the researcher’s capacity to complete the proposed work. Though the performance period is not rigidly defined in the guidelines, the expectation is that the awarded research will be carried out and completed in a timely manner, with publication in the Journal of Raptor Research encouraged as a key outcome. Interested applicants can direct any questions to the foundation at [email protected]. The Dean Amadon Research Grant is awarded annually, with a consistent application deadline of June 30. The recurrence of the program ensures that early-career and established researchers alike have regular opportunities to apply for support in advancing critical work on raptor systematics and distribution.