D. Ross Robertson Research Award Fellowship for Field Studies on Neotropical Deep-Reef fishes
Supports early-career researchers conducting field studies on the biology of Neotropical deep-reef fishes (40–300m) to advance scientific understanding of these species.
Funder: Smithsonian Institution
Due Dates (Anticipated): September 2026 | November 2026
Funding Amounts: Up to $40,000 total; supports fieldwork costs (travel, living expenses); no stipend or lab research funding.
Summary: Supports field research on the biology of Neotropical deep-reef fishes (40–300m) for early-career researchers.
Key Information: Application must be submitted via SOLAA; eligibility limited to PhD students and recent PhDs (≤3 years post-degree).
Description
This fellowship provides funding for early-career researchers to conduct field-based studies on the biology of living reef-fishes found at depths of 40–300 meters throughout the Neotropics. The program is designed to advance scientific understanding of deep-reef fish biology and encourages, but does not require, collaboration with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) or the Division of Fishes at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. Research can be conducted anywhere in the Neotropics and does not require use of STRI facilities or work in Panama.
