Morris Animal Foundation offers funding for research projects

 Morris Animal Foundation, one of the largest non-profit animal health research organisations in the world, is now inviting requests 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.  

On offer are grants of up to $145,000 over 24 months,  depending on category.

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.  

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.  

https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/apply

Study into early detection of injury risk

Racing Australia’s Research and Development Fund, in collaboration with the Equine Genetics
Research Centre (EGRC) and Telemedvet, has announced a joint investment exceeding $400,000 for a 12-month project aimed at studying a serum biomarker in the clinical investigation of equine musculoskeletal injuries. This initiative has the potential to develop real-time capabilities that could help prevent injuries to both horses and jockeys.

The project focuses on evaluating the serum bone biomarker Osteocalcin (OC) as a potential predictor of equine lameness and fractures. Dr. Natasha Hamilton, a leading global equine geneticist and Director of the EGRC, highlights the significance of this research:

“Pilot studies have shown a correlation between OC level and abnormal radiomic scintigram findings that can indicate a horse is at elevated risk of catastrophic fracture. This study will investigate whether OC is an effective biomarker to identify at risk horses in a broader population. We are very excited to be able to support this work.”

The research is led by Prof. Dominique Blache from the University of Western Australia’s School of Agriculture and Environment, alongside a team of co-investigators headed by Dr. Peter Tually, Co-director and Nuclear Medicine Practitioner at Telemedvet. Dr. Tually envisions integrating advanced nuclear technology into Thoroughbred welfare practices:

“Our passion for horse racing and a lifelong dedication to science and advanced imaging has given us a unique perspective. The support of trainers has been essential and has shown us the enthusiasm the industry has for modern advancements. To be supported by the regulators in this important research is something we are immensely proud of.”

The Racing Australia Research and Development Fund is supported by industry contributions, with $20 from every Thoroughbred registration allocated to its investment initiatives. All research projects undergo rigorous assessment in alignment with Racing Australia’s commitment to horse welfare. Racing Australia CEO Paul Eriksson reinforces this dedication:

“Racing Australia has a national role and firm commitment to advance research and development to enhance and support positive welfare outcomes for athletes both human and horse. The Racing Australia Research and Development Fund and the EGRC led by Dr Natasha Hamilton is excited to invest in research that takes steps in assessing the risk of fractures to mitigate injuries and support trainers in managing the training schedules of their equine athletes.”

(edited press release)

Funding offered for Cushing’s and Insulin Resistance research

The Equine Cushing's and Insulin Resistance Group Inc. (ECIR Group) is now accepting funding requests for 2024. These proposals should focus on researching Equine Metabolic Syndrome/Insulin Resistance (EMS/IR) and Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID). 

The ECIR Group's mission is to improve the well-being of equines with metabolic disorders through a blend of basic research and practical clinical experience. Their primary objective is to prevent laminitis. 

 

"Quality scientific research is critical to the continuous advancement of knowledge to benefit metabolic equines." said Dr. Kathleen Gustafson, ECIR Group Inc. Research Director. "Our goal in 2024 is to fund research and encourage collaboration between scientists, scholars, veterinarians, and hoof care professionals to positively affect the health and welfare of these equines."

 

"Through the sharing of their in-the-barn experience, ECIR Group supporters have helped build effective protocols for metabolically challenged equines." said current President, Nancy Collins. "It is an honor that now, through member financial support, the ECIR Group has expanded to also fund equine metabolic research."

 

Proposals seeking funding should focus on EMS and PPID, covering topics such as diagnosis, diet, hoof care, exercise (referred to as DDT/E) and preventing laminitis. Any proposals meeting these criteria will be considered.

 

Applications must be submitted via the ecirhorse.org research portal. Deadline for submission is May 31, 2024.

 

Researchers will find more information at https://www.ecirhorse.org/research-proposals.php

Grants available for behavioural research

 Morris Animal Foundation has announced a fresh call for research proposals with the goal of enhancing the well-being of horses by advancing our understanding of behavioural health and welfare. The Foundation is particularly keen on projects related to cognition, learning, stereotypies, separation anxiety, horses' affiliative behaviour towards humans, the impact of equine temperament on their welfare, and equine psychopharmacology. Please note that proposals solely focused on behavioural measurements for non-behavioural conditions will not be considered. 

This initiative has been made possible thanks to a generous donation from Dr. Wendy Koch, a veterinarian who has been a steadfast supporter of the Foundation for over three decades. Dr. Koch embarked on her career in animal welfare with the federal government back in 1990 and achieved board certification in animal welfare in 2016. Her deep interest in equine behaviour and welfare research prompted her to champion funding in these important areas.

 

Researchers interested in this opportunity should submit their proposals by 4:59 p.m. ET on December 13, 2023. 

 

For details on how to apply, see the Foundation's Grants page at:

 

https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/apply

New research projects receive funding

 Morris Animal Foundation has provided funding for seven new research projects focused on
equine health. These studies aim to address various equine health issues, including contagious upper respiratory disease, and sepsis in foals. 

The research initiatives receiving support are as follows:

 

• Impact of cyproheptadine on blood variables and clinical signs of Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) in Horses. (Dr. Nicholas Frank, Mississippi State University) 

• Development of an effective intramuscular vaccine against strangles, based on the "S" protein of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (SEE). (Dr. Noah Cohen, Texas A&M University.)

• A novel diagnostic test for Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID).( Dr. Dianne McFarlane, University of Florida )

• Increasing understanding of foal sepsis and potential new treatment options (Dr. Katarzyna Dembek, North Carolina State University)

• Examination of a faecal-based test to aid in the diagnosis of gastric ulcers in horses (Dr. Canaan M. Whitfield-Cargile, University of Georgia)

• A study of remote behavioural and physiologic monitoring to assess changes in equine discomfort behaviours and their association with epidural morphine administration. (Dr. Hope Douglas, University of Pennsylvania)

• Investigation into drugs targeting the non-structural protein 4 of African Horse Sickness (Dr. Constantinos Kurt Wibmer, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa )

 

Dr. Kathy Tietje, Chief Program Officer at Morris Animal Foundation, expressed excitement about supporting these projects, which aim to advance equine health and welfare through innovative research. The studies are scheduled to commence in the current year, contributing valuable insights to improve equid health and well-being.

For more about Morris Animal Foundation, see:

 morrisanimalfoundation.org

Foundation for the Horse research grants

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Funding proposals are currently being accepted by The Foundation for the Horse until May 31st for its two equine research grant programs. 

 

One program aims to support emerging researchers, while the other is intended for established investigators. Both programs strive to drive medical advancements in equine health. 

 

Although proposals on any subject will be considered, the Foundation has a particular interest in musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and endocrine diseases, as well as laminitis, and methods to enhance racing safety. 

 

Young Investigators Research Grants worth up to $20,000 are available to

graduate students, fellows and residents. Pilot studies or preliminary studies that are part of a major study or which will lead to a major project are of particular interest; small standalone projects will also be considered.  

 

Innovation and Discovery Research Grants are available to individuals with a background in equine research and a previous record of research publication. A minimum of two projects will each receive up to $50,000 in funding in 2023.

 

For more details, see:

Young Investigators Research Grants

https://www.foundationforthehorse.org/young-investigators/

 

Innovation and Discovery Research Grants

https://www.foundationforthehorse.org/innovation-discovery-research-grants/