Awards & Fellowships
The Society of Ethnobiology offers a variety of awards that honor achievements in the field of Ethnobiology. These awards recognize the breadth of ethnobiology and the importance of supporting a broad range of ethnobiological research and researchers.
One award per year will be granted of up to $5000 to support an individual (student, professional or other) to conduct field research using rigorous methodology and modes of analysis with the primary goal of increasing knowledge in any field of ethnobiology. This research can include current or past use of plants and animals. Awarded funds may be used for travel, field expenses including consultant fees for native informants and translations, supplies, food, or other field expenses. The award is not to be used for salaries or promoting or participating in activism or related activities. Projects that are innovative and provide new information, in either applied or pure research in ethnobiology, are especially eligible for this award.
Award winners must be a member of the Society of Ethnobiology, present their results at a future Society annual meeting (within five years of completing the field research), and will be encouraged to publish their results in the Journal of Ethnobiology or other suitable peer-reviewed publications.
The Society of Ethnobiology announces its Distinguished Ethnobiologist award to honor an ethnobiologist who has made outstanding contributions to the field of ethnobiology and advancing the goals of the Society. In recognition of these contributions, the recipient will be awarded a lifetime honorary membership to the Society of Ethnobiology. The recipient of the award (or in special circumstances, a representative of the winner) shall present an address at the annual meeting the year of his/her selection. Lodging for the duration of the conference and conference registration fee will be covered by the Society of Ethnobiology. Please submit the nomination materials electronically by November 15:
- a letter of nomination of no more than 500 words, including a short biographical sketch of the nominee, and
- a current CV of the nominee.
The Undergraduate Ethnobiologist award is given to a keen undergraduate ethnobiologist who will sit on our Board as an appointed "Student Advisor." The student should come with ideas and energy to increase undergraduate student involvement in our Society. This is a one-year position that comes with a one-year membership in the Society, a waiver for our Society of Ethnobiology annual meeting registration, accommodation for 3 nights during the conference. If you feel you are well suited for this position, or know a student who is, send a one-page (maximum) letter to the Society of Ethnobiology Awards Coordinator explaining who you are, your interest in ethnobiology, and your ideas to increase undergraduate student involvement in our Society. Applications are due by November 15, and should be submitted via the online form (link coming soon). Questions? Contact awards@ethnobiology.org.
The Executive Board of the Society of Ethnobiology is delighted to announce three funded graduate research fellowships. We invite applications from graduate student members. The application deadline for all three fellowships is December 31.
- Justin Nolan Ecological Knowledge Fellowship: $750, annual competition.
- Jessica Mae Orozco Indigenous Ethnobiologist Fellowship: $750, annual competition.
- Urban Ethnobiology Fellowship: $750, annual competition.
The Barbara Lawrence Award celebrates the life and accomplishments of Barbara Lawrence by recognizing and rewarding the scholarly efforts of young ethnobiologists. The award was initiated in 1987 by Dr. Elizabeth Wing and others and is presented for the best paper and presentation (in either oral or poster form) by a student at each annual conference. The prize carries a
For the Best Ethnobiology Poster award, we are accepting applications for all poster submissions (student and non-student, single or multiple authored) presented at the Society of Ethnobiology's annual conference. All posters accepted to the annual conference are eligible; no additional application materials are necessary to be considered for this award. A panel of judges assesses the posters. The awardee is selected on the basis of both content and graphic appeal. The winner receives a cash prize of $300. Student poster submissions are also eligible for the Barbara Lawrence Award ($500), but must include all other Barbara Lawrence Award application materials. Application deadline: TBD
The Mentor Award was created in 2015 by student members of the Society of Ethnobiology to celebrate the Society's strong tradition of supporting and mentoring students and new members. The award is given annually and is elected by the student members through nominations and voting.
Indigenous Peoples' Conference Travel Award
The Society of Ethnobiology is pleased to announce a call for applications for the Indigenous Peoples' Conference Travel Award for the Society of Ethnobiology's annual conference. Monies are to support travel for any Indigenous individual who wishes to participate and contribute to these conferences. Conference contributions can include a table display, a workshop, sharing a story, giving a presentation, or a number of other options. This is a $500 grant. Award also includes a year of online membership (to begin after award has been granted). Applicants cannot have received another SoE award within the past three years.
Applications are due by December 1.
Majority World Conference Travel Award
The Society of Ethnobiology is pleased to announce a call for applications for the Majority World Conference Travel Award. Monies are to support travel for a presentation at the Society of Ethnobiology’s annual conference by a new or existing member travelling from outside Canada and the United States. Preference will be given to presenters travelling from countries in South America, South and Southeast Asia, and Africa.
This is a $1600 grant. Award also includes a registration waiver and a 1-year online membership (to begin after award has been granted). Applicants cannot have received another SoE award within the past three years.
Applications are due by December 1.
Student Conference Travel Award
The Society of Ethnobiology is pleased to announce a call for applications for the Student Conference Travel Award. Monies are to support travel for a presentation at the Society of Ethnobiology's annual conference, by a Society member student (and must be enrolled at time of conference), graduate or undergraduate. This is a $500 grant. Award includes a year of online membership (to begin after award has been granted). Applicants cannot have received another SoE award within the past three years.
Applications are due by December 1.
Annual Conference Registration Waivers
The Society of Ethnobiology is offering a limited number of Conference Registration and Membership Fee Waivers for people presenting papers or posters at the Society's annual conference.
We encourage applications for waivers from people of diverse backgrounds who are in financial need.
Please note that individuals who have received awards or waivers in the past three years are still eligible for registration waivers.
If you would like to be considered for such a waiver, please fill out the application form by December 1. Consideration will be given based on the order in which applications are received.
The “Rapid Assistance Fund for Indigenous Communities & Individuals in Need” offers modest financial assistance to individuals and communities who identify as Indigenous, Native, First Peoples, or as historically oppressed by colonization for urgent needs related to the field of ethnobiology. These grants may be used for projects that focus on food sovereignty, traditional food and medicine, traditional land use and hunting practices, traditional ecological knowledge, building community resilience in food deserts, or similar.
The Early Career Award in Ethnobiology is given to a professional or academic ethnobiologist who is entering their career and who presents and publishes outstanding scholarship at the Society's annual conference and in the Society's publications. No application is required. The recipient is selected by the voting board members present at the annual conference. The award includes three years of online membership with the Society and a registration waiver for the conference the year following the award. Up to one award is made each year, at the discretion of the Board.
The Citation for Distinguished Service recognizes ethnobiologists who have served the Society and its members in indispensable ways over many years. The recognition highlights the contributions of service leaders whose work, often behind the scenes, has been vital to the Society. Members of the Executive Committee may select up to three recipients on an annual basis. Recipients of the Citation for Distinguished Service are recognized at the annual conference.
The Communities and Ethnobiology Grant is a monetary award given to a community involved with an ethnobiology-related project local to that year’s annual conference. It is a means through which the Society of Ethnobiology can give back to the community hosting us and support important work being done at the local level. We invite the awardees to present their work at the annual business meeting on the last day of the conference so that the Society can learn about and acknowledge the local community.