First Award

First Award Grants provide research funding for aspiring researchers’ first projects as the principal investigator and pairs them with a seasoned research mentor to help launch a successful, long-term scientific career that advances companion animal and wildlife health.

Applicants must have a DVM and/or a PhD and/or be specialty-board certified and must have a postdoctoral career-appointment/faculty-equivalent position at a university, accredited zoo or conservation organization. Applicants must provide a letter documenting their position from the institution’s dean, department head or equivalent. Applicants must not have received previous funding as a principal investigator for more than $20,000 for any single, extramural award. Previous role as a co-investigator is acceptable. Residents are not eligible for this award.

Deadlines for First Award proposals are as follows:

• The next call for Large Companion Animal Proposals will be in mid-April, 2012 with proposals due in mid-July, 2012.
• Small Companion Animal (Dogs and Cats): Proposals on topics relevant to companion health and welfare are due by 11:59 p.m. EST on March 21, 2012. Online application instructions and proposal guidelines are available at the link below. Funding decisions will be made in June, 2012 with grant awards starting as early as August 1, 2012.
• Wildlife: Proposals on topics relevant to wildlife health and welfare were due on November 15, 2011. Funding decisions will be made in March, 2012 with grant awards starting as early as July 1, 2012. The next call for Wildlife Proposals will be in mid-August, 2012 with proposals due in mid-November, 2012.

Click here for Small Animal Online Application Instructions

Components of Full Proposal Guidelines
Complete guidelines for proposal preparation and submission can be found in the online application form. Requirements of a full proposal include a scientific abstract, resubmission summary (if applicable), hypothesis and objectives, justification, literature review, preliminary data, experimental methods and design, project timeline and animal involvement justification. Applicants are also asked to provide information on project facilities and equipment, cited references, budget justification, other funding support for the principal investigator, past Foundation support and biographical data on the investigators. First Award proposals have additional requirements, including a candidate statement, letter from proposed mentor and letter from department head.

Budget
Two years at $50,000 maximum per year (personnel and supplies) plus maximum of 8 percent indirect costs (maximum award $54,000). All funds must be in US dollars.