DENVER/May 28, 2025 — Morris Animal Foundation has issued a call for research proposals to improve the health and welfare of domesticated horses, ponies, donkeys and mules. This opportunity includes four award categories — Established Investigator, First Award, Pilot Study and Fellowship Training — each designed to support impactful, humane, and scientifically robust equid health research.
Applicants must submit proposals via the Foundation’s online portal by 4:59 p.m. ET, August 6, 2025. Full details and templates are available on the Foundation’s Grants page.
AWARD CATEGORIES
- Established Investigator Awards
- Designed for experienced researchers with a strong publication history in equine health science. Projects may last up to 36 months.
- No budget cap (average funding ~$100,000); proposals must include robust methodology and demonstrate clear benefits to equid health.
- First Award Grants
- Supports early-career researchers (PhD, DVM, or equivalent) establishing independent programs in veterinary or animal science.
- Up to $120,000 over 24 months; not eligible for residents. Postdocs must be moving into secured roles.
- Pilot Study Awards
- Funds 12-month exploratory research or proof-of-concept studies in horse, donkey, mule, or pony health.
- Budget capped at $20,000; preliminary data is optional but strengthens competitiveness.
- Fellowship Training Grants
- For postdoctoral researchers or advanced PhD candidates focused on equid health and welfare.
- Offers up to $145,000 over 24 months; requires a formal training plan and institutional support.
All applicants must clearly describe the health problem their research addresses and its significance, demonstrate their qualifications and outline a sound scientific approach, and assess the environmental and animal welfare impacts of their study. Proposals must also include appropriate sample size calculations, ethical research design considerations, and a fully justified budget using the Foundation’s provided templates.
SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD
All proposals submitted will undergo a rigorous two-stage review process to ensure scientific quality, relevance, and animal welfare standards. This world-class process is led by our Scientific Advisory Board, a panel of global experts in veterinary research, equine science and animal health. These specialists carefully evaluate each submission to identify the most promising studies – and their guidance helps ensure that every awarded project represents the highest standards in equid health research and supports the Foundation’s mission to fund impactful, humane, and scientifically sound health studies. The following board members will be reviewing proposals submitted for the 2025 equid health grant cycle:
- Paolo Baragli, DVM, PhD, University of Pisa, Italy
- Alix Berglund, DVM, PhD, University of Maryland
- Adam Blanchard, BSc, PhD, FHEA, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Virginia Buechner-Maxwell, DVM, MS, MS ACVIM dip, Virginia Tech
- Ignacio Corradini, MV, MSc, MRCVS, DipECEIM, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Linda Dahlgren, DVM, PhD, DACVS, Virginia Tech
- Sarah Eaton, DVM, DACT, CVA, DABVP, University of Arizona
- Rosa Houben, DVM, DipECEIM, University of Utrecht, Netherlands
- Rebecca Legere, DVM, MS, MS, PhD, DACVIM, Texas A&M University
- Shavahn Loux, PhD, Louisianna State University
- Victor Martinez, MSc, PhD, Universidad de Chile
- Menzies-Gow, MA, VetMB, PhD, DipECEIM, University of Central Lancashire, United Kingdom
- Lindsay St. George, MSc, PhD , University of Central Lancashire, United Kingdom
- Mats Troedsson, DVM, PhD, DACT, DECAR, University of Kentucky
About Morris Animal Foundation
Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Denver, Morris Animal Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to advancing animal health through science. To date with donor support, it has invested nearly $170 million in over 3,100 studies across a wide range of species. Learn more at morrisanimalfoundation.org.
Media Contact: Lindsey Washington
