Dinosaur Research Institute

With our abundance of dinosaur bearing sediments, Alberta has a special position in the study and preservation of this unique and valuable palaeontological resource.

Significant funding is required to prospect, study and excavate this resource before the volumes of sediment are eroded and the fossils are exposed to weathering and destruction. Young scientists who have embarked on this fascinating profession need financial support for their research.

In 1996, a group of enthusiastic Albertans established the Dinosaur Research Institute (DRI). It was registered as a charity in 1997.

DRI’s purpose is to coordinate, facilitate, support, direct and fund dinosaur and palaeontological research in Canada or with Canadian paleo scientists at important sites worldwide. In addition, graduate students are supported in paleo projects.

Since its incorporation, the DRI has funded a variety of research projects including:

	Multi year funding contribution to excavation of the important Albertosaurus bonebed at Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park. In excess of 22 individual Albertosaurus have been identified at this site.
	Partial support of the GPS locating and staking of the quarries in Dinosaur Provincial Park.
	Funding of technicians to prepare Mongolian dinosaur specimens. The prepared specimens are studied for comparisons with Alberta species.
	Supported the preparation and study of feathered dinosaurs from China.
	Supported students.

The DRI encourages you to support this important research. Donations and sponsorships are tax deductible and can be directed to specific projects or contributed to the projects selected each year.

To make a charitable donation to the DRI
click here: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/dinosaur-research-institute/

DRI will issue charitable tax receipts for all donations over $50.00.

Fundraising Dinner

DRI will hold its annual fundraising dinner on October 25, 2025. It will be held at the Earl Grey Golf Club at 6540 - 20 Street SW, Calgary.

We will host a sit-down dinner, silent auction, displays and presentations by students and palaeontologists

Individual tickets will be $200.00 per person and a tax receipt was provided for a significant portion of the ticket price. For more information or tickets, please contact us.

Photos By Mona Trick and Lenore Nimmons

Dinotour 2027 Southern Alberta

July 9 to 12, 2027

Have you ever dreamed of exploring and discovering a dinosaur fossil with some of the world’s greatest dinosaur hunters? During this four-day family-oriented event you will:

- Learn about the dinosaurs of northern Alberta from world-renowned scientists
   Dr. Philip Currie, Dr. Eva Koppelhus, Dr. Corwin Sullivan
   and your tour coordinator Mona Trick.

- Tour the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum galleries, collection and preparation areas.
   Search for tiny fossils using microscopes and prepare fossils in the laboratory of the
   Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum.

- Dig dinosaur fossils from the Pipestone Creek Bone Bed under the guidance of staff from
the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum

- Explore the Wapiti River via raft with experts from the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum

- View the extensive dinosaur tracks at the Grande Cache Dinosaur Track Site Provincial
Historic Resource.

For details, go to the Dinotour link, or contact Mona Trick at dinotour@DinosaurResearch.com
or cell 587-578-4579. Registration will begin on October 1, 2026.

Some Artwork donated by Michael Skrepnick

This page last modified on... August 12, 2025