Marmot research project secures funding via OnlyFans and cryptocurrency

Scientists studying yellow-bellied marmots in the Rocky Mountains have secured over 85,000 euros to sustain their long-term research through unconventional digital platforms. The Marmot Project, which has been collecting data since 1962, faced potential termination following funding cuts from the National Science Foundation.

To bridge the financial gap, researchers launched ‘OnlyMarms’, a profile on the subscription platform OnlyFans featuring images and videos of the rodents in their natural habitat. While the OnlyFans content is non-sexual, the initiative gained significant momentum through the creation of a dedicated cryptocurrency, $OnlyMarms.

Proceeds from the cryptocurrency and voluntary donations have provided enough funding to maintain the study for at least another year. The research is critical for understanding how species respond to environmental changes and global warming, as the project is currently analyzing the eleventh generation of marmots.