DENVER/June 11, 2025 – Morris Animal Foundation is now accepting proposals for its Wildlife Fellowship Training program, a prestigious opportunity for early-career scientists focused on advancing the health and welfare of wildlife species. From tackling complex wildlife diseases to advancing clinical care for diverse species, the program empowers emerging researchers to drive meaningful progress in the health and welfare of wild animals.
The deadline for proposal submission is 4:59 p.m. EST on Wednesday, August 20, 2025.
Designed to support the next generation of wildlife health experts, Fellowship Training grants provide salary support within a structured, high-quality mentoring environment to help launch successful scientific careers.
Eligible applicants must hold a DVM or PhD, or be enrolled in a PhD program with at least two years completed by the project’s start date. They must dedicate at least 75% of their time to the research. Clinical residents with more than 25% clinical obligations and individuals who earned their PhD more than four years ago are not eligible. More information is available in the Proposal Guidelines.
Grants may span up to 24 months, with a total funding cap of $145,000. All applications must be submitted through the Foundation’s proposal portal, using the official proposal template.
Proposals will undergo a multi-stage review process. Initial screening will verify compliance with guidelines. Qualified submissions will be evaluated by the Scientific Advisory Board based on scientific merit, potential impact, proposal quality, and the candidate and training plan. Proposals recommended for funding will then be reviewed by the Animal Welfare Advisory Board to ensure alignment with the Foundation’s Health Study Policy.
Applicants should start by reviewing the full eligibility and application instructions on the Grants page. For questions not answered there, email [email protected].
Scientific Advisory Board
- Benedetta Amato, DMV, PhD – University of Bristol, United Kingdom
- Joao Brandao, LMV, MS, DACZM, DECZM (Avian) – Oklahoma State University
- Gebbiena Bron, DVM, PhD – Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Norway
- Heather Broughton, DVM PhD – Institute for Integrative Conservation, William & Mary
- Justin Brown, DVM, PhD – Penn State University
- Ana Carolina Ewbank, VM, MSc, PhD – University of São Paulo, Brazil
- Charles Innis, VMD, DABVP(RA) – New England Aquarium
- Anne Justice-Allen, DVM, MS – Arizona Game and Fish Department
- Mary Ann Ottinger, BS, MS, PhD – University of Houston
- Maria L. Rodgers, PhD – North Carolina State University
- Estelle Rousselet, DVM, PHD, DACZM – Wildlife Conservation Insights
- Mauricio Seguel, DVM, PhD, DACVP – St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies
- Barbara Shock, M.S., PhD – Lincoln Memorial University
- Srinand Sreevatsan, DVM, MVSc, MPH, PhD – University of Missouri
- Dirk Werling, DVM, DMV, PhD, FVH, CI, FHEA, MRCVS – The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, United Kingdom
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 $170 million in more than 3,000 critical studies to date across a broad range of species. Learn more at morrisanimalfoundation.org.
Media Contact: Lindsey Washington