[Wild Animal Initiative](https://www.wildanimalinitiative.org/grants/challenge-grants)

November 14, 2025 (Expression of Interest)

$50,000–$100,000 per project | Up to 5 years duration

Supports innovative, high-impact research projects that advance wild animal welfare in priority areas not typically funded elsewhere.

Projects must align with specific annual themes; only direct research costs are funded (no institutional overhead).

--- ## Description Wild Animal Initiative's Challenge Grants program funds complex research projects that address critical and underexplored questions in wild animal welfare. The program is designed to support flagship research led by experienced principal investigators, with an emphasis on scientific rigor, novelty, and relevance to high-priority themes. The grants aim to generate knowledge and methods that can significantly advance the field, particularly by focusing on abundant species or research with broad applicability. Each annual round features specific themes. For 2025, projects must address either: - The relationship between environmental variation and wild animal welfare, or - The links between wild animal welfare and mortality rates. Projects should demonstrate potential for long-term improvements in wild animal welfare, methodological innovation, and engagement with the broader research and policy community. The program seeks proposals unlikely to receive support from mainstream conservation or ecological funders, ensuring that unique wild animal welfare perspectives are prioritized. --- ## Due Dates - Expression of Interest (EOI) deadline: November 14, 2025 - Applicants notified of EOI outcome: by December 8, 2025 - Invited full proposals due: January 30, 2026 - Final funding decisions: May 2026 --- ## Funding Amount - Typical award: $50,000–$100,000 USD total per project - Project duration: Up to 5 years Eligible costs include direct research expenses, stipends, salaries, and essential equipment (with restrictions). Institutional overhead is not covered. --- ## Eligibility - Principal investigator must be affiliated with a university, research institution, or government agency. - Projects may involve teams, including students and early-career researchers. - Applicants from any country eligible to receive US-based funding may apply (see [sanctions guidance](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_sanctions#Countries)). - Projects must include collaborators based in all countries where fieldwork occurs. - NGOs managing projects must be registered in the country of fieldwork. - Only one active Challenge Grant per PI at a time. - Projects must focus on wild animal welfare and not solely on conservation or ecological fitness. - Projects involving harmful or invasive methods are discouraged and require strong justification. --- ## Application Process 1. **Expression of Interest (EOI):** - Submit a short EOI form outlining project aims, relevance to themes, methods, and team qualifications. - [Preview the EOI form](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BZjpXoFDQq5TGTvzqiyjZ904k64K4mf4/view?usp=sharing) - [Submit EOI online](https://airtable.com/appjrrQyWM0IvyudQ/pagXulMLZuX1eArWC/form) 2. **Review and Invitation:** - EOIs are screened for eligibility and relevance. - Selected applicants are invited to submit a full proposal. 3. **Full Proposal:** - Invited applicants submit a detailed proposal, animal methods form, and CVs. - Proposals are externally reviewed for scientific merit, animal ethics, and technical feasibility. 4. **Selection and Award:** - Final decisions are made by a multidisciplinary review panel. - Successful applicants sign a communications agreement and provide annual/final reports. --- ## Additional Information - Projects must address at least one of the annual priority themes. - Preference is given to projects focusing on abundant species or those with transferable impact. - Proposals should justify the need for WAI funding versus mainstream sources. - No funding for institutional overhead or indirect costs. - Projects must comply with WAI’s [ethical guidelines](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JMPMobnYulpIrklzopvRegkaVY_wF7YFsN1nl77vn_g/edit?usp=sharing). - Co-funding is encouraged but not required. - Only one project per PI will be funded at a time. - Fellowships for postdocs and PhD students are available as part of the Challenge Grant round. --- ## External Links - [Program Overview & Guidelines](https://www.wildanimalinitiative.org/grants/challenge-grants) - [2025 Call for Proposals (detailed themes & requirements)](https://docs.google.com/document/d/14eNFRnw5z6s4d7kpmwAi-bBLQmQuvCZI94VOcDMxvM4/edit?usp=sharing) - [Grant FAQs](https://www.wildanimalinitiative.org/grants/grants-faq) - [Apply Online (EOI Form)](https://airtable.com/appjrrQyWM0IvyudQ/pagXulMLZuX1eArWC/form) - [Past Grantees](https://www.wildanimalinitiative.org/grantees) - [Wild Animal Welfare Core Concepts](https://www.wildanimalinitiative.org/blog/welfare) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |------------------------|---------------------------------------------------| | General inquiries | [grants@wildanimalinitiative.org](mailto:grants@wildanimalinitiative.org) | | Program details & FAQ | [Program page](https://www.wildanimalinitiative.org/grants/challenge-grants) | ---

Challenge Grants - Wild Animal Initiative

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