ASAB: Research Grants

ASAB: Research Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
Amount: Up to £15,000
Last Updated: February 07, 2026

Summary

The ASAB Research Grants offer funding of up to £10,000 for innovative research projects in animal behavior. Open to ASAB members with a Ph.D., these grants support early-stage and small-scale projects that may lack alternative funding sources. The committee evaluates applications based on research quality, relevance, and potential impact, aiming to promote a diverse and inclusive research community. Collaborative research opportunities are also facilitated through these grants.

Overview

ASAB was founded in 1936 to promote the study of animal behaviour Membership is open to all who share our interests. There are now around 1000 members, the majority drawn from Britain and Europe. Many members are professional biologists who work in universities, research institutes, and schools. ASAB is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community, and aims to ensure fair and equitable representation and participation throughout all of ASAB’s activities and in the wider animal behaviour research community, irrespective of characteristics including but not limited to age, disability, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality. Research Grants Research Grants of up to £10,000 support original research projects. promising pilot research projects that are at too early a stage to attract funding from larger funding agencies such as the UK Research Councils, and small-scale projects, that, although worthwhile, are unlikely to attract funding from alternative sources. Grants may be made to allow the applicant to travel to conduct collaborative research, or to bring a collaborator to the applicant's institution for the same purpose. The Grants & Awards Committee will consider research projects in all areas of animal behaviour, defined as the sphere of interest of papers published in Animal Behaviour. Funding Criteria All applications are judged on the quality of the research proposed and applicants should note that attention is paid by the Grants Committee to the relevance and likely impact of the proposed work, the plan of research, whether it can be completed in the time proposed, the reason why this research is important, how it fits with previous research, and, if a pilot study, the future directions of this research. Applicants should clearly outline their procedure and how the results will be analysed to answer the research question(s), including a plan for the data analysis, as well as a timeline (e.g. Gantt chart) and an assessment of potential risks to the project. One common shortcoming of applications is that they provide insufficient information regarding the proposed methodology for the Committee to evaluate the proposal. Applicants must also give reasons for the funding requested; this includes a full breakdown of costs. What do Research Grants Fund? Funds may be awarded for equipment, research expenses, and the salary of a research assistant or PI, provided that payment is made on an approved scale, but we do not fund overheads.  Travel and subsistence expenses may also be funded if it is necessary to travel to another site to undertake the research. Grants will not exceed £10,000, although applications for smaller amounts are encouraged. The funding process is competitive and the Committee may take into account the amount of funds an applicant requests as well as how expenditure is justified in reaching a decision whether to fund a project.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applicants must be members of ASAB. Please note that membership must have been held for a minimum of 12 months from the date on which your application for membership was approved until the closing date of the round in which an application is made.You can also check in your ASAB profile whether you have a student or full membership. If necessary, you should update your membership type before submitting your Research Grant application. You can do this by contacting the ASAB Membership Secretary.) Applicants must have a Ph.D. There are no restrictions on the age or experience of the applicant You must be a member of this organization to apply for this award - become a member. Applicants must be members of ASAB. Please note that membership must be held for a minimum of 1 year prior to applying for funds (if in doubt, details of membership can be obtained from the Membership Secretary).

Ineligibility

Grants will not be awarded to support work that contributes to the requirements of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree (including any inclusion in an undergraduate or graduate thesis), whether of the applicant or other person.ASAB does not usually accept applications from applicants based in the Americas.ASAB does not accept applications that overlap substantially with a previously unsuccessful application for an ASAB Research Grant.Applicants who have previously received an ASAB Research Grant may not apply again within three years of their successful application.ASAB does not fund overheads.