Putnam Expedition Grants

Putnam Expedition Grants, awarded by the Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ) at Harvard University, support collection of specimens and related data for the study of comparative zoology.

Preference is given to requests in two categories:

  • Collecting living specimens in regions where habitats are threatened
  • Collecting fossil specimens in regions most likely to hold important clues for unraveling evolutionary strategies.

Support is provided solely to defray costs of travel and related subsistence expenses incurred in pursuit of these objectives.

Unless the laws of the country of origin require otherwise, all specimens collected during a Putnam Expedition shall be accessioned in MCZbase upon return to Cambridge and deposited in the permanent collections of the MCZ.

Eligibility

Eligibility for Putnam Expedition Grants is restricted to current faculty, postdocs (including term-limited research associates) and graduate students in the MCZ. Applicants may apply as individuals or as leaders of expedition teams. Higher priority for funding may be given to applicants who have not previously received a Putnam Grant and, for postdocs, whose projects relate directly to the research expertise and interests of their faculty sponsor.

Application

Applications must be submitted electronically through CARAT (Centralized Application for Research and Travel). Applications include a project description explicitly stating the objective, expected activities and results, anticipated travel itinerary, and should address how permits and legal compliance issues will be met. A budget, a curriculum vitae and a letter of support (graduate student and postdoctoral applicants) are also required. 

Deadlines

Proposals are reviewed twice a year. Application deadlines are October 3, 2023 (fall semester) and March 13, 2024 (spring semester). Each grantee must provide a final report that summarizes scientific accomplishments derived from the award within six months of travel completion. Reports for prior awards must be received before new applications from the same individual will be considered.

Questions

Please email inquiries regarding the Putnam Expedition Grant