Submit a Proposal

Fear Free will provide grants of up to $2,500 USD to both individual researchers and veterinary colleges to support student, resident, or faculty research projects that should advance the science and evidence for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of fear, anxiety, stress, and pain related to veterinary care. All applications should be submitted using the online application form below.

To be eligible for funding, research proposals should intend to implement original evidence-based research in dogs, cats, avian, and/or equines investigating the prevention, reduction, or measurement of fear, anxiety, stress, and /or pain associated with veterinary healthcare, including travel, facilities, procedures, hospitalization, or return home. Studies conducted in shelters will be considered if the findings can be applied to veterinary visits and hospitalization.

Submission & Funding Guidelines

This form should be used both by individuals (or research groups) and by universities for funding of veterinary student, resident, or faculty research projects. At least one member of the research team should be a Fear Free Certified Professional. All research must be approved by the facility’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) or equivalent oversight committee. Please check the appropriate box for individual/group or institution funding and follow the submission guidelines described.

1. Individual/Research Group Grant Funding
   Grants will be awarded approximately three (3) times per year from amongst all of the applications received at the posted submission deadline for pilot studies and novel small-scale projects that should provide information of immediate practical value to practitioners.
   1. All applications that meet Fear Free eligibility criteria will be assessed by our scientific review committee on the quality and originality of the proposed research, significance and relevance to Fear Free, study design, and the achievability of the objectives with the funds provided over a timespan of up to 6 to 12 months. Typically, the top-ranking project from all applications at each submission deadline will be awarded a grant of up to $2,500 USD.
   2. Submissions should be concise while providing the required information for review, including project title, clearly stated research question, objectives, qualifications of the researchers, study design, and expected outcome.
   3. Proposals will not be considered that are incomplete, do not meet funding criteria, or require funding in excess of the maximum award amount of $2,500 USD.
   4. Research should be affiliated with a host institution with approval by the Institution’s Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) or equivalent oversight committee. Projects that are not affiliated with a host institution with an animal use oversight committee will be considered only if they do not require handling or treatment of animals, other than observation during the provision of standard veterinary care and with informed client consent.
2. Institution Grant Funding
   Research grants of $2,500 USD will be awarded to veterinary colleges for funding of a student, resident, or faculty research project that meets Fear Free funding criteria. Clinician or faculty research may also be considered.
   1. Applications should be submitted by a faculty member or clinician who will be mentoring or coordinating the research project.
   2. If applying for a grant on behalf of the institution, check the “Institutions Seeking Grants” box and complete the following fields: Institution, Name, Position, Credentials (project administrator or mentor), and timeline for the project. Names and credentials of additional administrators or mentors can be listed in the comment section. A title and description (research question, objectives, design) are not required as the university may internally set the process for review, adjudicate, and selection of the award recipient.
   3. Funding will be provided for up to four (4) university grants, with preference given to first-time applicants, and for student research.
   4. Funding for university grants will be considered at the time and in the order in which they are received.
   5. For student research projects, grant funding may not be used to pay indirect costs. For all other projects, a maximum of 8% of the grant funds may be used toward indirect costs.

Grants will be awarded approximately three (3) times a year. The next closing date for grant proposals is January 31, 2022. All submissions received at each deadline will be reviewed by our scientific review panel based on quality, originality, and clinical relevance to Fear Free, with the highest-ranking project awarded a grant of up to $2,500 USD. Applications received after the submission deadline will not be considered at the next announced call date. Applications for university funding will be considered at the time and in the order that they are received.