ASPCA Research Grants

ASPCA Research Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
Amount: US $20,000 - US $50,000
Last Updated: March 22, 2026

Summary

The ASPCA Research Grants support innovative research aimed at enhancing animal welfare. With a total funding amount of $440,000, the grants are open to various research areas including cruelty research, access to veterinary care, applied behavior, psychological trauma, and farm animal welfare. Eligible applicants include U.S. public or private entities and Canadian universities. The maximum individual grant amounts vary by research area, encouraging impactful studies that directly benefit animals.

Overview

ASPCA Research Grants ASPCA research grants develop cutting-edge knowledge in animal welfare. We fund high-quality research across a variety of disciplines and methods that has clear potential to benefit animals, either directly or through effecting systems-level change. Proposals to extend studies focused on other disciplines to include animal welfare will also be considered if they can be clearly demonstrated to have substantial potential benefit to animals. This year we are soliciting proposals in the following five research areas: Cruelty Research: Proposals that address animal cruelty from any angle or relevant discipline (e.g., public policy, law, criminal justice, criminology, veterinary forensics, community engagement, prevention/intervention, human behavior change). Of particular interest is research that analyzes the effectiveness of legislative and other policy measures designed to prevent and/or respond to cruelty. Also of interest is research that heightens awareness of animal cruelty and builds knowledge that informs and engages key community stakeholders and allied professionals in preventing and responding to this animal welfare issue. Access to Veterinary Care (AVC) Research: Proposals that address AVC from any angle (e.g., medical, legal, AVC impact, program delivery, community engagement, veterinary engagement). Ideally, the research will establish tools or guidelines to improve access to veterinary care. Applied Behavior Research: Proposals that inform the development or refinement of evidence-based shelter behavior protocols. Proposed research should address specific behavior concerns in shelter populations that lead to euthanasia, rather than general management protocols. Psychological Trauma Research: Proposals related to developing novel approaches to the documentation of animal cruelty and neglect in the absence of physical trauma. Proposals are encouraged from any relevant discipline (e.g. physiology, psychology, ethology). Of particular interest is research that focuses on objective measures, including biomarkers and quantitative behavioral phenotyping. Farm Animal Welfare Research: Research related to animal welfare conditions in the largest U.S. poultry industries that produce broiler chickens, egg-laying hens, and turkeys. Grant Fund Amounts The total funding amount available for these opportunities is $440,000. The maximum individual grant amounts for each research area are $20,000 (Psychological Trauma Research), $40,000 (Applied Behavior Research), $50,000 (Access to Veterinary Care Research and Cruelty Research), and $30,000 (Farm Animal Welfare Research). Applications for amounts under the maximum amount are encouraged and will be assessed on an impact-for-cost basis.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Important note: If you wish to apply to more than one research area, please submit separate applications for each area.Eligible ApplicantsInvestigators and/or research teams affiliated with United States public or private entities such as universities, colleges, government agencies, veterinary hospitals and clinics, animal welfare organizations, and other organizations. This opportunity is also available to Canadian registered public universities and qualified municipalities/public bodies which can demonstrate the applicability of the research to improve the welfare of animals in the US.Applicants must meet ASPCA Grantee Organizational Standards:If a past ASPCA grant recipient, must be current on all reporting requirements.If a nonprofit organizationMust be an incorporated or organized legal entity in good standing with the Secretary of State in the state where the organization is incorporated or organized.Must have a board of at least 4 members with a majority of independent members with neither board chair nor treasurer receiving compensation from the organization.Charitable registration must be current/active in the state of the Grantee’s primary location (for grants >=$25,000).Proposals focused on evaluating the effectiveness of a program or service must demonstrate methodological rigor and a clear plan to produce generalizable scientific knowledge.

Ineligibility

Applications from individuals will not be accepted.Projects with the primary aim of providing services or building infrastructure will not be considered.