Acorn Grants
Acorn Grants support scientists, veterinary clinical researchers, and multidisciplinary teams conducting small canine health studies to test new ideas and generate preliminary data for larger research projects.
Browse similar grants
Funder: American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation
Due Dates: February 23, 2027 (Spring cycle) | March 9, 2027 (Juvenile cataracts in Golden Retrievers) | August 3, 2027 (Fall cycle)
Funding Amounts: Up to $30,000, including indirect costs; generally 12–24 months
Summary: Seed funding for small canine health studies that test innovative ideas and generate preliminary data for larger research projects.
Key Information: All active and upcoming RFPs require a pre-proposal and an invitation to apply.
Description
Acorn Grants from the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation (CHF) support small, short-term canine health research projects. The program funds the initial stages of new avenues of investigation, enabling researchers to test innovative ideas or new methods addressing key health priorities for dogs. Its emphasis is on generating preliminary data that can establish a foundation for larger-scale or longer-term studies.
The program serves research scientists, veterinary clinical scientists, and multidisciplinary teams, including researchers bringing expertise from other fields into canine health. Research may be breed-specific or benefit dogs more broadly; proposals do not need to focus on purebred dogs. Preliminary findings can help investigators secure subsequent research support, including through CHF’s larger Oak Grants.
