SVP states "The barter, sale, or purchase of scientifically significant vertebrate fossils is not condoned, unless it brings them into or keeps them within a public trust." Because of this, SVP has advocated that scientifically important fossils, such as the theropod skeleton auctioned in Paris in 2018, be placed in public trust repositories like those at major museums and universities. The position of the SVP is that "The fossil record of vertebrates unequivocally supports the hypothesis that vertebrates have evolved through time" and that evolution is "the central organizing principle of biology, understood as descent with modification" and is important to geology as well. The Society believes only scientifically supported evolutionary theory should be taught in school and that creationism and intelligent design have no place in the scientific curriculum. To this end, SVP has set up programs to train educators in teaching evolution. Publications The Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology (JVP) is the society's flagship publication. JVP was founded in 1980 at the University of Oklahoma and continued in 1984 by SVP. JVP contains original contributions on all aspects of the vertebrate paleontology; including vertebrate origins, evolution, functional morphology, taxonomy, biostratigraphy, paleoecology, paleobiogeography, and paleoanthropology. The SVP Memoir Series publishes monographic papers that are longer than JVP articles. The News Bulletin has been published for SVP since its founding. The News Bulletin contains minutes of annual business meetings, news from members around the world, address changes, new members, job advertisements, and obituaries. The Bibliography of Fossil Vertebrates is an index for publications on all subjects related to vertebrate paleontology. Palaeontologia Electronica is the world's first electronic journal of paleontology and is sponsored in part by SVP. Awards and prizes The SVP issues the following awards, grants and prizes: Cohen Award for Student Research (after Steven Cohen) Colbert Prize Student Poster Prize (after Edwin H. and Margaret Colbert) Dawson Predoctoral Fellowship Grant (after Mary R. Dawson) Estes Memorial Grant (after Richard Estes) Gregory Award (after Joseph T. Gregory) Hix Preparators' Grant (after Marvin and Beth Hix) Honorary Membership Institutional Membership (a program for institutions in developing nations) Lanzendorf-National Geographic PaleoArt Prizes (after John Lanzendorf) Patterson Memorial Grant (after Bryan Patterson)<ref> Program for Scientists from Economically Developing Nations Romer Prize (after Alfred Romer) Romer-Simpson Medal (after Alfred S. Romer and George G. Simpson) Skinner Award (after Morris Skinner) Wood Award (after Albert E. Wood) Jackson School of Geosciences Travel Grant SVP Futures