Society Grants

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​𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭

​𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥, 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞.

The PSSA Outreach Project Grant provides funding of up to 𝐑𝟓 𝟎𝟎𝟎 to support evidence-based outreach projects that promote palaeoscience within Southern African communities. The grant is designed primarily to empower 𝐌𝐒𝐜 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐡𝐃 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, as well as 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭-𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬, to lead meaningful public engagement initiatives that foster long-term impact.

We invite proposals that demonstrate clearly defined target audiences, thoughtful planning, and sustainable implementation beyond once-off events. Projects should promote awareness of Southern Africa’s rich fossil heritage, highlight the relevance of palaeoscience to global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss, and improve accessibility and inclusion in science education.
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This grant aims not only to 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐞𝐨𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 within underserved or underrepresented communities, but also to 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐩 𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 with valuable science communication and leadership skills.

Grant value: R5 000
Application deadline: 10 April 2026
Outcome: 10 May 2026

Applicants must be current PSSA members in good standing and registered at a Southern African university for an MSc, PhD, or post-doctoral fellowship within the palaeosciences. Successful applicants will be required to submit a short article to PalNews in the following year, detailing their outreach activity and its impact.

​𝐓𝐨 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐃𝐅 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭:

• Completed application form
• Proof of current registration at a Southern African university
• A 2-page CV
• A letter of support from your supervisor

All application materials must be emailed to [email protected] with the subject line:
Name Surname 20XX PSSA OPG

𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭?

If you’re interested in applying but unsure how to shape your outreach idea, we encourage you to consult our Outreach Inspiration Document.

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𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭

The Palaeontological Society of southern Africa is offering travel support for an active student member, registered at a southern African institute, to attend the 7th International Palaeontological Congress.

 Applicants need to be lead and presenting authors on oral or poster presentations, and are encouraged to demonstrate their financial need and academic merit within their application. A condition of the grant is that the successful applicant writes an article for PalNews about their conference experience within six months of attending the event.​

For application details, see here
Grant value: R15 000
Application deadline: 28 February 2026 
Outcome: 31 March 2026

​Application forms, a curriculum vitae, letter of support from your supervisor and proof of registration should be emailed to [email protected] as a single PDF. 

If you are unsure about the status of your PSSA membership, please query in advance.

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