[Morris Animal Foundation](https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org)

June 2026

Up to $145,000 total for 24 months; max $60,000/year for fellow salary; equipment and other expenses capped.

Supports postdoctoral or recent PhD/DVM researchers in advancing the health and welfare of equids through hypothesis-driven, impactful research projects.

Applicants must devote ≥75% effort; only one application as PI per cycle.

--- ## Description This fellowship training grant from the Morris Animal Foundation funds early-career researchers to conduct high-impact, hypothesis-driven projects aimed at improving the health and welfare of domesticated equids (horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules). The program emphasizes scientific merit, potential for broad impact (including non-academic stakeholders), and proposal quality. Projects should demonstrate clear benefits to equid health and welfare, with outcomes likely to be of universal benefit to the species. The fellowship is designed to foster the next generation of independent investigators in animal health research. --- ## Due Dates - June 2026 (anticipated full application deadline) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum funding: $145,000 total for up to 24 months. - Fellow salary: Up to $60,000/year (including fringe benefits) for two years. - Equipment: Up to $5,000. - Travel: Up to $2,000 for scientific meetings (must be well-justified). - Indirect costs: Up to 8% of direct costs (not to exceed $25,000 combined with other project expenses). - No tuition support; other project expenses capped at $25,000 (including indirect costs). --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must hold a veterinary degree (e.g., DVM) or a PhD at the time of award. - PhD holders must have earned the degree within 4 years of application. - Clinical residents or those with >25% clinical service are ineligible. - Applicants in permanent salaried positions, or with PhD >4 years, are not eligible for this fellowship but may apply for other mechanisms. - Must devote at least 75% time to the project. - Only one application as PI per cycle is allowed. - Projects using other species as models (including rodents) are not eligible. - International collaborations must have a named in-country mentor and address inclusivity/anti-parachute science. - Projects must comply with the Foundation’s Health Study Policy for Animals Involved in Research. --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted via the [AIBS SCORES portal](https://morrisanimalfoundation.aibs-scores.org/). - Institutional approval is required before the deadline. - Proposal must include: - Title, technical and lay summaries, PI/mentor/department head records - Main proposal (using provided template, PDF format) - Budget (using provided Excel template) - Letters of intent and support (mentor and department head upload directly) - Training plan, salary verification, unofficial transcripts - Proposals are reviewed for scientific merit, impact, and quality; animal welfare review follows scientific review. - Resubmissions only allowed by invitation. - Detailed application checklist and templates available on the funder’s website. --- ## Additional Information - Preference is given to projects that do not involve euthanasia of animals for research purposes. - Stakeholder engagement and broader impact beyond academia are highly valued. - Proposals must clearly outline universal benefit to equids if involving racehorses or wild equids. - For questions about policies or eligibility, contact grantapplications@morrisanimalfoundation.org. --- ## External Links - [Funder Website](https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org) - [Grant Program Page](https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/apply) - [AIBS SCORES Submission Portal](https://morrisanimalfoundation.aibs-scores.org/) - [Proposal Guidelines (PDF)](https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/sites/default/files/filesync/FY24-Equid-AIBS-FT-Proposal-Guidelines.pdf) - [Health Study Policy](https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/sites/default/files/filesync/Health-Study-Policy.pdf) - [Proposal Template (Word)](https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/sites/default/files/filesync/FY24-Equid-Fellowship-Training-Proposal-Template.docx) - [Budget Template (Excel)](https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/sites/default/files/filesync/Budget-Template.xlsx) - [FAQs](https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/grants-scientific-programs-faqs) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |----------------------------|---------------------------------------------------| | General inquiries | [info@morrisanimalfoundation.org](mailto:info@morrisanimalfoundation.org) | | Application/technical help | [morrisanimalfoundation@aibs.org](mailto:morrisanimalfoundation@aibs.org) | | Grants team | [grantapplications@morrisanimalfoundation.org](mailto:grantapplications@morrisanimalfoundation.org) | | Phone | +1 800-243-2345 | | Online contact form | [Contact Us](https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/contact-us) |

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