To all of Conch-L:

        Please note that the MAY 1st deadline for WSM Student Grant applications
is quickly approaching.  Many thanks to everyone who have already submitted
their applications!
LTG


                     The WESTERN SOCIETY OF MALACOLOGISTS

                          in conjunction with the

SANTA BARBARA MALACOLOGICAL SOCIETY, the SAN DIEGO SHELL CLUB, the NORTHERN
                                             CALIFORNIA MALACOZOOLOGICAL
SOCIETY, and the SOUTHWEST MALACOLOGICAL SOCIETY

                            are offering in 2003

                    STUDENT RESEARCH GRANTS IN MALACOLOGY

As part of their commitment to the continued study of mollusks, the Western
Society of Malacologists, the Santa Barbara Malacological Society, the San
Diego Shell Club, the Northern California Malacozoological Club, and the
Southwest Malacological Society are again pleased to announce the
availability of grants to support student research in malacology. Funds are
available for actual research costs, including but not limited to, field
and laboratory equipment, chemicals, photographic supplies, computer time
and supplies, SEM usage fees, and reasonable research travel costs.

ELIGIBILITY:  Applicant must be a full time student in a formal graduate or
undergraduate degree program.  There are no citizenship or affiliation
restrictions and students from all countries are eligible.

The thesis, dissertation, or research project must be focused primarily on
the systematics, biology, ecology, physiology, biochemistry, or
paleontology of marine, terrestrial, or freshwater mollusks. Research
currently in progress or beginning in the 2002-2003 academic year will be
considered.

REQUIREMENTS:

1.  Cover application page (see WSM web-site, address below) with the
following information: proposal title, applicant name, addresses, contact
numbers, etc, including a listing of no more than FIVE keywords that
describe the proposed research.
2.  The proposal, limited to two pages, which discusses the research
project and its malacological significance including details of the work to
be aided by this grant.
3.  A budget which outlines how the grant funds will be used.
4.  A resume or outline of the applicant's academic background.
5.  A letter of recommendation from the applicants research advisor (must
be transmitted or mailed separately  by advisor).
6. A list of grants and amounts that are currently being received or have
been applied for in the 2002-2003 academic year.

Membership in the Western Society of Malacologists is not required but is
certainly encouraged and students receive a discounted rate.  Award
recipients are also encouraged to present their research at a subsequent
WSM meeting.  Abstracts are published in the WSM Annual Report.

ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS:  Applications can be submitted either as attached
WORD documents or in PDF format.  [Applications can also be mailed to the
address below]
Email to:  [log in to unmask]

AWARD:  Research grants up to $1,000 are available.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  Completed applications must be received no later
than 1 MAY 2003.  Awards will be announced during the annual meeting of the
Western Society of Malacologists, June 6-10, 2003 at the Natural History
Museum of Los Angeles County.


For further information contact:

Lindsey T. Groves at (213) 763-3376 (voice); (213) 746-2999 (fax);
[log in to unmask]
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Malacology Section, 900 Exposition Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90007

Application form also available at
http://www.nhm.org/research/malacology/avaldes/wsm/grants.html