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Full Grant - 2026 Research Grant: Thriving as we age

HORSES AND HUMANS

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Funding Amount

Up to $175,000

Deadline

July 24, 2026

107 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Full Grant - 2026 Research Grant: Thriving as we age

Funder: Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF)

Award Amount: Up to $175,000 for a research period of up to two years

Geographic Scope: Global (researchers across disciplines invited)

Focus Areas:

  • The impact of equine-human interactions in promoting well-being and quality of life in older adults (age 65 or older)

  • Research must investigate equines and humans simultaneously

  • May focus on: therapy, groundwork, leadership programs, riding, mental health interventions (e.g., observing horses as part of therapy), and other relevant activities

  • Research outcomes must assess impacts on both human participants and equines

  • Wellness dimensions include: psychological, physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and/or spiritual well-being

  • Enhancing active aging through equine-human interactions

    • Eligibility:

  • Researchers across all disciplines

  • Preference given to researchers with strong credentials, track record of scientific excellence, and studies demonstrating rigor and clinical significance

  • Teams should incorporate or include practitioners to ensure ecological validity

  • Research must focus on older adults age 65 and older

  • Participant groups and equines must be carefully selected to ensure mutual safety and well-being

  • All participants must have capacity to fully consent and be ethically suitable to be around equines and their environments

    • Review Process:

  • Multi-tier evaluation by HHRF Scientific Advisory Council

  • Finalists invited to submit 15-minute pre-recorded video presentation

  • Followed by live Q&A with HHRF Board of Directors

    • Mission: Through sustained investment in rigorous research and educational initiatives, HHRF serves as a catalyst to advance global knowledge of horse-human interactions and their impact on health and well-being of people, horses and other equines.

    Contact Information:

  • USPS: Horses and Humans Research Foundation, PO Box 23367, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022

  • FEDEX: Horses and Humans Research Foundation HHRF (Satellite Office), 786 Marlin Drive, Fripp Island, SC 29920

  • Email: info@horsesandhumans.org

  • Website: horsesandhumans.org

    • How to Apply

    Application Process

    Deadline: Friday, July 24, 2026

    Required Materials:
    1. HHRF Grant Application 2026
    2. HHRF Application Checklist 2026
    3. Risk Assessment documents (Sample and Template provided)
    4. Research Readiness Checklist for EAS (Equine Assisted Services)
    5. Equine Assisted Services Definitions Guide for Researchers
    6. HHRF $175k Grant Request 2026 document

    Review Materials:

  • HHRF SAC Evaluation Form 2026 (used by Scientific Advisory Council)

    • Application Stages:
    1. Submit complete application with all required materials by July 24, 2026
    2. Applications evaluated by HHRF Scientific Advisory Council in multi-tier review process
    3. Finalists selected to submit 15-minute pre-recorded video presentation
    4. Live Q&A with HHRF Board of Directors

    Key Requirements:

  • Evaluation/outcome measures must clearly assess impacts on both human participants AND equines resulting from the equine-human interaction

  • Research proposals must demonstrate rigor and clinical significance

  • Documentation of mutual safety and well-being considerations for both humans and equines

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    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    equineseniorsscience-research

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