HABRI Offers Research Grants

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HABRI, the Human Animal Bond Research Initiative, is making funding available for high-quality research designed to better understand the human and animal health benefits of the human-animal bond in seven areas.

Requests for pre-proposals are open now through June 28, 2013 and approximately $300,000 in funding will be awarded to 10 grant recipients.

“We are excited to announce this upcoming funding opportunity for research surrounding our seven key topics, which to date have seen the most promising scientific evidence in terms of the positive impacts of the bond, but could still benefit from a great understand,” Bob Vetere, president of HARBI, said. “This is a great opportunity for students, researchers and various industry professionals and we look forward to receiving pre-proposals and awarding the grant recipients this fall.”

Pre-proposals should focus on the health effects of animals on humans with the following conditions: autism, cancer, cardiovascular disease;,dementia/Alzeimer’s, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or childhood allergies and immunity. Pre-proposals will be evaluated by an independent review board comprising experts in the field based on study design, capabilities of investigators, adequacy of facilities, cost-effective yet realistic budget, and potential for impact on the way the disease areas of interest are diagnosed, treated or otherwise understood.

Full proposal submissions will be invited from selected applicants.

Application review and oversight of HABRI research awards will be managed by Morris Animal Foundation, a nonprofit organization that invests in science that advances veterinary medicine for companion animals, horses and wildlife.

For additional details regarding application process and project requirements, go to http://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/researchers/small-animal/ and scroll to proactive research funding.