Deadline: 16-Dec-22

The Morris Animal Foundation is accepting proposals on all topics aimed at improving the health of domestic equines.

They are specifically interested in funding one or more proposals that answer one of the following research questions on the topic of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), which were identified during a priority-setting partnership workshop:

• In animals with PPID, what is the expected progression of the disease throughout life with and without treatment?
• In animals with PPID, are there any other effective treatments besides pergolide? These can include over-the-counter treatments, for example Agnus Castus, homeopathy or other herbal products.
• In animals with PPID receiving pergolide treatment, is the risk of laminitis reduced?
• What are the short and/or long-term side effects of treatment with pergolide in animals with PPID?
• In animals with PPID, does the dose of pergolide need to vary with the season?
• In animals with suspected PPID, what is the best way to deal with inconclusive or conflicting test results and/or clinical signs?
• What is the best way to deal with animals with PPID that don't respond to treatment with pergolide even when the maximum dose has been reached?

Proposals should promote the science of the general health and welfare of domestic horses, ponies, donkeys and mules. Note that for racehorses and other professional athletes, they fund research focussed on health and quality of life only where the results are likely to be of universal equine benefit. The use of other species as models (including laboratory rodents) is not appropriate for this topic.

Policies

• Health Studies Policy: Projects must adhere to the Foundation for Animals Involved in Research's Health Studies Policy. Their preference is not to fund projects that include euthanising animals for research purposes, or extracting data and/or samples from such projects. Please note that proposals recommended for funding by scientific reviewers are reviewed separately by experts in ethics and animal welfare prior to funding.
• Parachute Science: Projects that include international collaborations must address international scientific engagement and benefits and include a Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-Investigator appointed in the country where the research will take place. The Foundation strives to achieve impact through ethical pathways and with the clear intention of inclusion, diversity and the elimination of the practice of parachute/colonial science.
• COVID-19 considerations: Research plans should include mitigation strategies for operational risks arising from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Alternative strategies for travel restrictions, pandemic-related mandates, supply shortages, etc. should be included in the proposal.
• Environmental Policy: Consideration should be given to reducing the harmful effects of research projects on the environment. Travel requests should be limited and well justified in relation to the project's objectives. Encourage means of transport with the lowest possible carbon footprint.
• Donation Resubmission Policy: Resubmissions of proposals are not permitted without explicit written permission from the Foundation. A researcher who resubmits a proposal without permission may be barred from applying for future RFPs.

Financing Information

• The maximum duration of an Established Investigator Award is 36 months and the total budget cannot exceed US$ 100,000.
  • The maximum duration of a First Award is 24 months and the total budget cannot exceed US$ 125,000.
  • The maximum duration of a Pilot Award is 12 months and the total budget cannot exceed US$ 15,000.

Eligibility criteria

• All applicants for all award categories must convince the scientific and animal welfare reviewers that they clearly understand the health problem, have sufficient expertise to conduct the study, are using a scientifically sound approach and have given due consideration to the overall environmental impact of their research. A maximum of one application as PI/Co-investigator is permitted in response to this RFP.
• Specific award criteria established Researcher:
  • Competitive candidates for this award will have a track record of expertise demonstrated through peer-reviewed publication. Researchers with active grants (Established Investigator or First Award) as the RFP opens are not eligible. Previous Morris Animal Foundation grants must be completed with final report approval prior to the RFP opening date.
  • First Prize: First Prize grants are designed to help early career researchers establish a successful research programme. The applicant must have completed a PhD and have a permanent position in a university, accredited zoo or conservation organisation, or non-academic equivalent. Individuals currently in a residency programme are not eligible. Postdoctoral researchers must be completing their programme and proposing research intended to be carried out in a permanent position. Applicants must not have received previous funding of more than $ 25,000 for any extramural award as a Principal Investigator. Please indicate this in your letter of intent. Previous funding as a co-investigator is acceptable. This application requires statements of support from one or more suitably experienced mentors.
  • Study Pilot: Pilot Study Awards provide funding for proof-of-concept studies in animal health research

For more information, visit https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/apply