DENVER/January 12, 2023 – Morris Animal Foundation is now accepting proposals that will catalyze development of new tools to prevent, detect and treat canine hemangiosarcoma. Grant applications are due by April 5, 2023, 4:59 p.m. ET.
This request for proposals is part of the Foundation’s Hemangiosarcoma Initiative, a multiyear commitment to dedicate funding, people and resources to advance the prevention, detection and treatment of, and potentially cures for, this deadly cancer of dogs.
“Hemangiosarcoma is a devastating canine cancer, and the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study has seen an exceptionally high rate of this disease,” said Dr. Kathy Tietje, Morris Animal Foundation Vice President, Scientific Operations. “Historically, few advances have been made in treating hemangiosarcoma, and we want to accelerate development of diagnostic tools and therapies by using the samples and data collected from the Study. We hope this initiative will change the outcome for all dogs prone to this disease.”
Hemangiosarcoma is one of the deadliest forms of canine cancer. The cancer tends to favor areas of abundant blood supply such as the heart and spleen, making sudden rupture and severe hemorrhage a common, life-threatening complication. The average survival time for dogs diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, even with treatment, is four to six months. Few dogs survive longer than one year, and even fewer are cured.
Grant applications that propose using Golden Retriever Lifetime Study specimens and data are strongly encouraged, though proposals leveraging other samples and data may be submitted. Academic and industry collaborative projects are encouraged to accelerate translation of results to practice. Proposed use of laboratory animals in research studies will not be accepted under this RFP.
Applications will be reviewed and rated based on impact and scientific rigor by a scientific advisory board made up of subject matter experts. Interested researchers should download the proposal guidelines, and can apply for the award on the Foundation's Grants page.
Scientific Advisory Board
- Chair: Anne Avery, VMD, PhD, Colorado State University
- Stuart Helfand, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM (Oncology and Internal Medicine), Retired Professor
- Matthew Breen, PhD, Cbiol, FRSB, North Carolina State University
- Laura Selmic, BVetMed (Hons), MPH, The Ohio State University
- Joann Tuohy, DVM, PhD, Virginia Tech
- Heidge Fukumasu, DVM, PhD, University of Sao Paulo
- Kattherine Megquier, DVM, PhD, Broad Institute
- Sue Duran, RPh,MS,PhD, DICVP, FSVHP, Auburn University
- Vilma Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan, PhD, Michigan State University
- Clinical Practitioner: Michael Lappin, DVM , GRCA
About Morris Animal Foundation
Morris Animal Foundation’s mission is to bridge science and resources to advance the health of animals. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Denver, it is one of the largest nonprofit animal health research organizations in the world, funding more than $149 million in nearly 3,000 critical studies across a broad range of species. Learn more at morrisanimalfoundation.org.
Media Contact: Kelly Diehl, DVM, MS
