Volunteer group to launch grant for projects on reptiles, amphibians

A grant of $2,000 to fund projects on reptiles and amphibians here annually by students and emerging scientists will soon be launched by the Herpetological Society of Singapore (HSS).

- Ang Qing Correspondent

The volunteer group's president Kannan Raja told The Straits Times that the kitty will support niche, small-scale ideas linked to herpetofauna, dubbed affectionately by enthusiasts as "herps".

The society plans to roll out the grant by January 2026 to fund these initiatives that promote public outreach, citizen science or ecological research.

The no-strings-attached grant will support projects that tend to fall through the cracks during applications for grant frameworks that cater to large-scale research or broader biodiversity themes.

"While Singapore already has excellent grant frameworks, they often cater to larger-scale research or broader biodiversity themes," said Mr Kannan, 34.

"The HSS fund is designed to be nimble, accessible and targeted to support herp-related initiatives without excessive bureaucracy."

Undergraduates and postgraduates from local institutes of higher learning will be able to apply for funding of up to $1,000 each.

Singapore boasts a rich diversity of reptiles and amphibians, numbering 166 species, of which 17 are nonnative.

"The idea originated from years of observing our members and students who approach us, brimming with ideas but lacking the resources to execute them," said Mr Kannan, who set aside the $2,000 sum from sales of the society's stickers, posters and pins.

"Creating this fund was a natural step in HSS' evolution, moving from conducting our own projects to empowering our followers and upcoming herpetologists to carry this forward."

He was speaking ahead of the society's 10th anniversary celebration on Oct 4 at NUS' Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum.