Watch: 'Marmots have money troubles' - Scientists turn to OnlyFans to raise funds

August 5, 2026

A UCLA biologist named Dr. Daniel Blumstein has created an unconventional fundraising account on the platform OnlyFans to support his marmot research laboratory, which is facing potential budget reductions. The account, called OnlyMarms, features wholesome videos of yellow-bellied marmots engaging in typical behaviors like running around and emerging from their underground homes, rather than the adult content the platform is typically known for. Subscribers can contribute financial tips to support the research.

Who is affected

Dr. Daniel Blumstein (Colorado-based biologist at UCLA)
The university's marmots research lab
Yellow-bellied marmots (subjects of the research)
OnlyFans platform (receives a cut of the tips)

What action is being taken

Dr. Daniel Blumstein is operating an OnlyFans account called OnlyMarms
The account is sharing family-friendly videos of yellow-bellied marmots
The account is accepting tips from subscribers to fund research

Why it matters

This demonstrates how scientists are finding creative alternative funding sources when facing traditional research budget cuts. It highlights the challenges of maintaining scientific research programs and shows how researchers are adapting to financial constraints by using unconventional platforms to engage public interest and generate support for their work.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC