Wildlife Health (Reptile and Amphibian) - First Award Grant

The Morris Animal Foundation invites research pre-proposals for the Wildlife Health (Reptile and Amphibian) - First Award, aimed at enhancing the health and welfare of amphibians and reptiles. This initiative focuses on impactful research, particularly in chytrid disease. Eligible applicants include early career researchers with appropriate qualifications and a clear understanding of animal health challenges. Projects should demonstrate collaboration with relevant stakeholders and provide direct benefits to wildlife populations, emphasizing conservation through an animal health perspective.

Our donors are interested in funding research that results in impactful animal health achievements and benefits both scientific and non-scientific stakeholders including veterinarians, wildlife researchers, and communities.
Morris Animal Foundation announced a new call for research pre-proposals focused on amphibian and reptile health and welfare, with special focus and funding available for chytrid research. This request is open to Established Investigator, Pilot Study and First Award pre-proposals.
Morris Animal Foundation is focused on advancing animal health and welfare; while conservation is a priority, any conservation focused proposals must be through an animal health lens. Animals in managed care settings can be a valuable proxy for wild counterparts but all submitted proposals must have direct translational value to free-ranging wildlife populations. The value of your project for wildlife health must be clearly outlined in the Animal Health Impact section of your proposal.
Successful pre-proposals will demonstrate:
defined animal health and/or conservation need,collaboration with natural resource managers, communities, and policy makers before, during and after the research, andclear strategy for achieving project outcomes.
First Award grants are designed to assist early career researchers in establishing a successful research program by supporting their first award as an independent investigator. The applicant must have completed a PhD, DVSc, DVM or equivalent degree and have a permanent position in a university, accredited zoo or conservation organization, or a non-academic equivalent. Principal Investigators should have a history of research publication as a Co-PI or Co-I. Postdoctoral researchers should be completing their program and proposing research intended to be conducted in a permanent position. Applicants are eligible to apply if they have received funding during training or education such as the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program or the Morris Animal Foundation Fellowship Training grant. The applicant should clearly describe prior funding in the candidate letter of intent. Previous funding as a co-investigator is acceptable. This application requires supporting statements from one or more appropriately experienced mentors.
All applicants for this award must convince the scientific and animal welfare reviewers that they clearly understand the health problem, have sufficient expertise to conduct the study, are using a scientifically sound approach, and have given appropriate consideration to the overall environmental and animal welfare impact of their research. A maximum of one application as Principal Investigator (PI) is permitted.
Funding
The maximum duration of a First Award is 24 months, and the total budget cannot exceed $120,000.

Eligibility

Projects that include international collaborations should address international scientific engagement and benefits and must include a named Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator, or mentor in the country where the research will occur.Health Study Policy: Projects must adhere to the Foundation’s Health Study Policy for Animals Involved in Research. Note that proposals recommended for funding by scientific reviewers are reviewed separately by animal welfare and ethics experts prior to funding.The Foundation is committed to full compliance with U.S laws and regulations establishing trade and economic sanctions. The Foundation will not fund any proposal where individuals, activities, or financial transactions occur within Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, or the Crimea Region of the Ukraine. In addition, all individuals and entities involved in the proposal must not be sanctioned under U.S. trade and economic laws or regulations. You can learn more about sanctioned countries, entities, and individuals at this link.

Ineligibility

Pre-proposals on other topics outside of amphibian and reptile health and welfare will not be accepted.Applicants must not have received previous funding of more than $25,000 for any single extramural award as a principal investigator leading independent research.Individuals currently in a residency program are not eligible.