SCORING RUBRIC ESTABLISHED INVESTIGATOR, FIRST AWARD, & PILOT STUDY PROPOSALS
Funds rigorous, hypothesis-driven research to improve the health and welfare of domesticated cats, supporting projects with strong scientific merit and potential for significant impact in feline health.
Funder: Morris Animal Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2026 (Full application deadline, projected)
Funding Amounts: Established Investigator: Avg. ~$100,000 (up to 36 months) | First Award: Up to $120,000 (24 months) | Pilot Study: Up to $20,000 (12 months)
Summary: Funds research in feline health for established, early-career, and pilot investigators, emphasizing scientific merit, animal health impact, and proposal quality.
Key Information: Only one application as PI per cycle; strict eligibility and budget rules by award type.
Description
This program supports research proposals in three categories—Established Investigator, First Award (for early-career researchers), and Pilot Study—focused on advancing the health and welfare of domesticated cats (Felis catus). The Morris Animal Foundation seeks hypothesis-driven, humane research projects with strong scientific merit and the potential for significant impact on animal health. Proposals are evaluated on scientific rigor, potential to address critical gaps in feline health, and overall proposal quality. Collaborative projects between academia and industry are encouraged to accelerate translation of results into practice.
