DENVER/March 5, 2026 – Morris Animal Foundation is now accepting pre-proposals for research to advance the health and welfare of dogs, including companion and working dogs.
GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Funding is available through four grant mechanisms:
- Established Investigator
- First Award
- Pilot Study
- Fellowship Training
Pre-proposals are due via the SmartSimple grants portal by April 1, 2026, 4:59 p.m. ET. More information and pre-proposal guidelines are available on the Foundation’s Grants page.
SPECIAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
A special funding opportunity – the Kelsey Stuart Golden Retriever Lifetime Study (GRLS) Research Funding – is available through a gift from longtime Foundation supporter Nan Stuart. This funding supports Established Investigator proposals that use GRLS samples and/or data to study canine health, with emphasis on cancer, aging and longevity.
Proposals that leverage Purina DISHAA survey data collected as part of the GRLS are also of special interest. Applicants proposing to use GRLS samples must coordinate with the Foundation’s data team before submission by completing the required form and emailing it to [email protected] at least one week prior to the RFP closing date.
PROPOSAL CRITERIA
Successful pre-proposals must:
- Clearly define a canine health or welfare issue
- Demonstrate collaboration with key stakeholders before, during and after the study
- Outline a practical strategy to achieve impactful outcomes
Collaborative proposals between academia and industry are strongly encouraged to accelerate the real-world application of research findings.
WHY CANINE HEALTH RESEARCH MATTERS
“Dogs are deeply woven into the fabric of our lives, and they deserve the same rigorous scientific attention we give to human health,” said Kelly Diehl, Senior Director of Science Communications at Morris Animal Foundation. “Morris Animal Foundation is committed to funding the research that gives them a longer, healthier life alongside us."
HOW TO APPLY
Visit our Grants page for detailed guidelines and application instructions. If your questions are not answered by the FAQ, contact [email protected].
About Morris Animal Foundation
Morris Animal Foundation’s mission is to bridge science and resources to advance the health of animals. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Denver, it is one of the largest nonprofit animal health research organizations in the world, funding more than $170 million in 3,200+ critical animal health studies to date across a broad range of species. Learn more at morrisanimalfoundation.org.
Media Contact: Lindsey Washington
