DENVER/March 3, 2026 – Morris Animal Foundation announced a new call for Established Investigator research proposals aimed at improving the long-term health and working lifespan of assistance dogs, including service, therapy and facility dogs.
- The focus should be on strategies that optimize the long-term physical and emotional health and working lifespan of assistance dogs – service, therapy or facility.
- Established Investigator proposals should be hypothesis-driven, demonstrating methodological strength, relevant expertise and thoughtful consideration of animal welfare.
- The maximum project duration is 24 months. The Foundation expects the average award to be approximately $100,000.
These awards will be funded by Mae Philanthropies, whose mission is to champion mental health and wellbeing through science and innovation. Mae Philanthropies’ commitment to this Donor-Inspired Study reflects their broader goal of exploring the therapeutic potential of service dogs and improving outcomes for both the animals and the people who rely on them.
Applications must be received by 4:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 29, 2026. Researchers interested in applying are encouraged to begin the application process using SmartSimple, the Foundation’s grants portal.
More information on the application process is available on the Foundation’s Grants page. Any inquiries that remain unanswered by the FAQ page can be directed to [email protected].
Scientific Advisory Board
- Elena Contreras, DVM, MS, PhD, Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine, Rowan University
- Emily Bray, PhD, CAAB, University of Arizona
- Enni Markkanen, DVM, PhD, University of Zurich, Switzerland
- Ernest E. Ward, Jr., DVM, CVFT, E3 Management, Affordable Pet Labs, VerticalVet
- Nishant Shah, MVSc, Institute of Agriculture & Animal Science (IAAS), Paklihawa Campus, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
- Seana Dowling-Guyer, MS, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University
- Wailani Sung, MS, PhD, DVM, DACVB, Joybound People and Pets
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
