Wildlife Health Proposals: Wildlife First Award

The mission of Morris Animal Foundation is to bridge science and resources to advance the health of animals. To achieve this mission, they fund hypothesis-driven, humane research projects with high scientific merit and the potential for significant impact. They are a non-profit organization that is funded by public support from individuals, corporations, clubs, and foundations, and by earnings from the endowed funds.

The donor is interested in funding research that results in impactful animal health achievements and benefits both scientific and non-scientific stakeholders including veterinarians, pet owners and communities.

Proposals should advance the health and overall welfare of wildlife. All proposals will undergo a two-stage review process. The initial review will check for adherence to the proposal guidelines and screen the study proposal, animal health impact statement, and resubmission summary (if applicable) for scientific merit and potential impact. Those proposals that pass the initial screening will undergo full proposal review by the Scientific Advisory Board and be scored according to the provided rubric.

Funding Information

• The maximum duration of a First Award is 24 months, and the total budget cannot exceed $120,000.

Applicant Qualifications

• First Award: First Award grants are designed to assist early career researchers in establishing a successful research program. The applicant must have completed a PhD and have a permanent position in a university, accredited zoo or conservation organization, or other non-academic equivalent. Individuals currently in a residency program are not eligible. Postdoctoral researchers should be completing their program and proposing research intended to be conducted in a permanent position. Applicants must not have received previous funding of more than $25,000 for any single extramural award as a principal investigator. Please state this in your candidate letter of intent. Previous funding as a coinvestigator is acceptable. This application requires supporting statements from one or more appropriately experienced mentors.
• Applicants must convince the scientific and animal welfare reviewers that they clearly understand the health problem, have sufficient expertise to conduct the study, are using a scientifically sound approach, and have given appropriate consideration to the overall environmental impact of their research. A maximum of one application as PI in response to this RFP is permitted.

For more information, visit Wildlife First Award.