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Applications for the 2023/24 year are now closed.

The Peter Rankin Trust Fund for Herpetology is an Australia-wide fund which seeks to provide small grants-in-aid to herpetological projects. The Fund was established in 1979 to commemorate the memory of Peter Rankin, a young herpetologist who died accidentally while collecting in New Caledonia shortly after having graduated from university.

The Fund makes awards annually to a total of approximately $3,000 ($1,000 per award) to budding herpetological researchers. Students and researchers without an ABN must ensure that their institution are able to administer the money received from the Fund - see terms and conditions of award.

Applications will be considered in any of the following categories:

  • private;
  • honours student;
  • postgraduate student.

Individual grants will range to a maximum of $1,000. Projects (including field-work) must be conducted in Australia.




In accepting an award, successful applicants will thereby agree to the following:

  • To comply with all State and Commonwealth fauna regulations;
  • To submit a brief report within one month of the completion date; and
  • To acknowledge the Peter Rankin Trust Fund for Herpetology in any publications.

One electronic copy (via email) of the documents listed above must be sent to:

Meagan Warwick
AMRI & External Partnerships Coordinator
Australian Museum Research Institute
Email AMRI.