The E. J. Crossman Endowment Fund honours the memory of Dr. Edwin J. Crossman who was Curator of Ichthyology at the Royal Ontario Museum between 1957 and 1995. Fondly known as E.J., he conducted research on the freshwater fishes of Canada with emphasis on Ontario fishes and the pike family in particular. He published more than 200 articles and books, with his preeminent work being the seminal Freshwater Fishes of Canada, which he co-authored with Dr. W.B. Scott. E.J. had a contagious enthusiasm for all fishes, and was dedicated to the growth of the ROM’s fish collection. He was greatly respected by anglers and fellow colleagues alike, and he never missed an opportunity to converse with anyone about fishes.
The fund provides support for university faculty, museum curators, collection managers, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers to study tropical or temperate freshwater fishes at the ROM’s fish collection. The funds could cover the cost of travel, food and accommodation while working at the museum.
Applications of about one page in length must include:
- a description of the project;
- an explanation of how the visit will benefit the ROM fish collection;
- beginning and end dates of the visit;
- a budget, including travel, accommodation, food, additional funding received;
- a letter of recommendation from the applicant's academic supervisor, if applicable.
Preference will be given to researchers that have funding from other institutions (e.g., the Smithsonian Institute or Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia).
Amounts of individual grants will vary. Maximum amount available in a given year will be limited to $3,500.
A report summarizing results of the research to be submitted three months after the visit.
Please send any queries or applications to Mary Burridge maryb@rom.on.ca or Erling Holm erlingh@rom.on.ca. Applications are accepted at anytime.