DENVER/September 25, 2024 – Morris Animal Foundation announced a new call for research pre-proposals focused on amphibian and reptile health and welfare, with special focus and funding available for chytrid research. This request is open to Established Investigator, Pilot Study and First Award pre-proposals. Pre-proposals on other topics outside of amphibian and reptile health and welfare will not be accepted.
Applicants with successful pre-proposals will be invited to submit a full proposal and will be provided full proposal guidelines and template at that time.
Morris Animal Foundation is focused on advancing animal health and welfare; while conservation is a priority, any conservation-focused proposals must be through an animal health lens. Animals in managed care settings can be a valuable proxy for wild counterparts, but all submitted proposals must have direct translational value to free-ranging wildlife populations. The value of the project for wildlife health must be clearly outlined in the Animal Health Impact section of the pre-proposal.
Successful pre-proposals will demonstrate 1) defined animal health and/or conservation need, 2) collaboration with natural resource managers, communities, and policy makers before, during and after the research, and 3) clear strategy for achieving project outcomes. All applicants for this award 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 and animal welfare impact of their research. A maximum of one application as Principal Investigator (PI) is permitted.
Interested researchers can find more information on the Foundation’s Grants page, including pre-proposal documents. Pre-proposals must be submitted through the Foundation’s portal by 4:59 p.m. ET, October 23, 2024.
Scientific Advisory Board
- Mark Mitchell, DVM, MS, PhD, DECZM - LSU
- Kurt Sladky, MS, DVM, DACZM, DECZM - University of Wisconsin
- Allen Pessier, DVM, DACVP - Washington State
- Dan Grear, PhD - USGS
- Scott Henke, PhD - Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute/ Texas A&M
- Mal Graham, PhD - Wild Animal Initiative
- Jon Bielby, PhD - Liverpool John Moores University
- John Griffioen, DVM - Ft. Worth Zoo
- Hugh Lefcort, PhD - Gonzaga University
- Jenifer Walke, PhD - Eastern Washington University
- Heather Fenton, DVM, MVSc - Australia Registry of Wildlife Health, Taronga Zoo
- Ruth Marcec-Greaves DVM, PhD - Lincoln Children's Zoo
- Robert K. Browne, PhD - Reptile & Amphibian Conservation
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 nearly $167 million in more than 3,000 critical animal health studies to date across a broad range of species. Learn more at morrisanimalfoundation.org.
Media Contact: Lindsey Washington
