The James R. Welch Scholarship was created in 1990 in honor of James Welch, of Montana Geological Materials, from Billings, Montana, who died of a heart attack while collecting fossils at Glass Mountain, in the Permian of Texas This scholarship is meant to assist graduate level students doing research in macro invertebrate fossils.

A major requirement of acceptance is that the applicant must be active in field research and collecting. In other words, we want the applicant to get out and do work in the field. These funds should thus be primarily used for the collection and preparation of macro fossils.

The amount of the James R. Welch Scholarship will be $1,000.00 annually and includes a one-year renewable Associate Membership.

The applicant does not need to be a member of the Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences.

Starting in 2021, applicants from outside of the United States must have a bank account in their name, that will accept wire transfers from the United States of America. AAPS will no longer mail award payments in the form of a check to other countries.

If you are interested, you may apply by sending a letter of application regarding the focus of your studies, and thesis subject, what you need the funds for, and what you plan on doing as a career.

You must submit the following for your application to be complete.

1. A letter of application outlining your project as noted above, including a summery of what the scholorship is needed for.
2. A letter of recommendation from one or more of your professors or advisors.
3. A current Curriculum Vitae or Collage Transcript.
4. A current photograph of the Applicant, which can be emailed. It must be at least 400 pixels X 600 pixels and 72 dpi.

The application must be received by November 1st, to be considered for the following calendar year. Incomplete submissions, not containing the documentation required will be returned to the submitter. You may send your application to: Neal Larson, Scholarship and Grant Chairperson, ammoniteguy@gmail.com.

The Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences, AAPS, is a public charity under IRS section 501(c)(3). As such it is tax exempt for income tax purposes and is permitted to receive tax deductible gifts pursuant to the Internal Revenue Service. It is also able to receive tax deductible bequests for Estate Tax purposes. Donations to any of our scholarships and Grants are totally tax deductible here in the United States. 100% of all Scholarship and Grant donations are used for those purposes only. Specimens donated for our annual auction may also be deductible, but you need to check with your tax and estate planner.

Recipients