The global economic crisis leads to important changes in investment policies that hit scientific research too. Scientists are currently facing a period of limited availability of research funds. However, this period of shortage of economic resources may also represent an opportunity of renewal for scientific research, since it may call for improved efficiency and effectiveness and lead to a critical re-evaluation of strategies and priorities. In this opinion paper, we collated a scattered and non-exhaustive list of suggestions for mammal research during a period of limiting financial resources. Our main objective is to stimulate debate, and possibly provide some useful hints, especially to young mammalogists.