AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF): Immune System, Pathogens, and Vector-borne Diseases RFP - Acorn Studies Grant

The AKC Canine Health Foundation invites innovative research proposals targeting immune system, pathogens, and vector-borne diseases in dogs, offering up to $20,000 in funding. Priority is given to projects that address critical canine health issues, including immunology, infectious diseases, and antimicrobial resistance. Collaborative efforts between laboratory researchers and clinician scientists are encouraged to foster advancements in canine health care and enhance the quality of life for dogs.

Scope
The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) is dedicated to advancing the health of all dogs through funding scientific research. In support of our mission to prevent, treat, and cure canine disease, we seek high-impact research proposals that foster critical discoveries that enable dogs to live healthier lives.
Research projects should investigate canine disease processes, apply fundamental knowledge to develop solutions to canine health problems, or explore outcomes-based solutions in the clinical setting or any combination thereof. Priority will be given to studies that address demonstrated areas of need, foster critical discoveries, or have outcomes that impact canine health care and enable dogs to live healthier lives.
Projects supported through this request include those seeking to understand the following in dogs:

• Immunology and autoimmune diseases
• Infectious diseases, including emerging pathogens or vector-borne diseases
• Antimicrobial treatment, infection, or altered immune responses on the microbial community
• Prevention, transmission, or resistance of vector-borne diseases
• Chronic illness and its associations with infectious etiologies
• Antimicrobial resistance
• Genetic susceptibility to infectious diseases
• Vaccines, biological therapies, and other therapeutic protocols
• Diagnosis of infectious agents, including novel approaches for rapid and accurate detection
• Infection control
• One Health topics and epidemiologic studies of infectious disease
• Impact of human practices on disease, such as vaccine hesitancy or dog importation

Projects that address challenging areas of inquiry, develop novel tools or treatments, foster cross-discipline innovation, and focus on patient-focused outcomes are highly encouraged. Proposals are specifically sought that characterize the current landscape of canine parvovirus and predict infection outcomes. Clinical, experimental, and translational topics are eligible, and close collaboration between laboratory researchers and clinician scientists is encouraged.
The Foundation promotes the health of all dogs and strongly values maintaining health, delaying disease progression, improving quality of life, and extending longevity. CHF recognizes the integral connections between dogs, humans, and the environment and supports multidisciplinary and One Health approaches to accelerate progress through collaborative research.
Research Focus Area
Investigators are encouraged to submit proposals in the following research program area(s): Tick-borne Disease and Immunology and Infectious Disease.
Funding
For Acorn studies up to $20,000 including 8% maximum indirect costs.

Eligibility

Clinical, experimental, and translational topics are eligible, and close collaboration between laboratory researchers and clinician scientists is encouraged.Research proposals must be in line with the AKC Canine Health Foundation’s mission to advance the health of all dogs by funding sound scientific research and supporting the dissemination of health information to prevent, treat, and cure canine disease.

Ineligibility

Animals
Projects that do not comply with CHF’s Humane Use of Animals Policy
Projects involving dog research colonies or any non-client-owned dogs (i.e. participating dogs must have owner consent)