Wildlife Health (Reptile and Amphibian) - Pilot Study Awards Grant

Wildlife Health (Reptile and Amphibian) - Pilot Study Awards Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Morris Animal Foundation
Amount: Up to US $20,000
Last Updated: September 12, 2025

Summary

The Morris Animal Foundation is offering Pilot Study Awards focused on reptile and amphibian health and welfare, particularly for chytrid research. These awards aim to fund innovative, proof-of-concept studies that demonstrate a clear understanding of animal health issues and collaboration with stakeholders. Proposals must have a direct impact on wildlife populations and adhere to strict health study policies. The maximum funding is $20,000 for a duration of 12 months, ensuring significant contributions to wildlife health advancements.

Overview

Mission The mission of Morris Animal Foundation is to bridge science and resources to advance the health of animals. To achieve this mission, we fund hypothesis-driven, humane research projects with high scientific merit and the potential for significant impact. We are a nonprofit organization that is funded by public support from individuals, corporations, clubs, and foundations, and by earnings from our endowed funds. 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. Wildlife Health (Reptile and Amphibian) 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. Pilot Study Awards Pilot Study Awards provide funding for proof-of-concept studies in animal health research. 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 Pilot Award is 12 months, and the total budget cannot exceed $20,000.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. 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.