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Morris Animal Foundation, a global leader in supporting scientific research that advances the health and well-being of animals worldwide, has approved funding for 20 research and training grants totaling $1.6 million in the second of three grant cycles in 2015. These grants will fund investigators at nine institutions across the United States and Canada; support 13 studies in dogs and seven in cats; and include two fellowship training grants for new researchers.

The scope of the studies funded covers canine and feline health challenges including cancer, epilepsy, spinal cord injury, circovirus, overpopulation, upper respiratory disease, kidney disease, heart disease and more.

Among the new grants awarded by the foundation are two Morris Animal Foundation Fellowship Training Grants:

  • Dr. Tania E. Perez Jimenez, Washington State University, will determine if genetic factors and co-administered drugs influence the clinical effectiveness of tramadol, a commonly used pain-relief medication in dogs.
  • Dr. Joy Rachel C. Ganchingco, North Carolina State University, will investigate the role of a small protein released in response to inflammation as a potential new therapy target to control itch and inflammation in dogs with the chronic, relapsing allergic skin disease, atopic dermatitis.

The majority of the grants were awarded to universities, with the exception of one to the Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs. This private, nonprofit received a foundation grant to study the effectiveness of a contraceptive vaccine to manage overpopulation of free-roaming cats.

“The diversity of the grant proposals we received this year, and the high quality of the science presented, resulted in a set of approved studies that we are very excited about,” said Dr. David Haworth, president/CEO, Morris Animal Foundation. “Each study has the potential to improve the lives of animals in significant ways. We are proud to support these enterprising researchers.”

About Morris Animal Foundation

Morris Animal Foundation is a nonprofit organization that invests in science to advance animal health. The foundation is a global leader in funding scientific studies for companion animals, horses and wildlife. Since its founding in 1948, Morris Animal Foundation has invested more than $100 million toward 2,400 studies that have led to significant breakthroughs in diagnostics, treatments, preventions and cures to benefit animals worldwide. Learn more at Morris Animal Foundation.