This grant application form is to apply for up to £5,000 to support research projects that expand our understanding of animals’ needs and how to meet them.
Our Vision is:
A world where all animals affected by humans experience the best quality of life, driven by a scientific understanding of their needs and how to meet them.
This grant application form is to apply for up to £5,000 to support research projects that expand our understanding of animals’ needs and how to meet them.
Applications for research funding in excess of £5,000 should be made via the Large Research Grant Application.
If you are seeking financial support for: attending or organising educational or scientific meetings, lectures, courses, or training visits; or for other small (non-research) events in support of Science for Animal Welfare’s objectives, please apply using a Travel, Training and Other Events Grant.
What activities can this grant be used to support?
This grant can support scientific research activities which will improve the welfare of (or allow us to better understand welfare challenges to) animals, including: farmed, companion, laboratory, captive wild animals, and free-living wild animals whose welfare is compromised by humans.
For projects looking into the welfare of farmed animals during transport, at markets, or during slaughter, please consider applying for a grant from our sister charity, the Humane Slaughter Association (HSA) instead, as these are core areas for the HSA.
Please ensure that animal welfare is the main focus of the research project. We do not support projects in which the main focus is, for example, conservation, or the improvement of livestock yield. The animal welfare benefits must be stated very clearly.
You can see some of our recently supported projects on the Science for Animal Welfare website.
Who can apply?
Applicants from anywhere in the world are eligible to apply. However, please be aware that sometimes, for reasons beyond its control (such as international sanctions) Science for Animal Welfare may not be able to make certain awards.
Applicants should demonstrate expertise in animal welfare.
How to apply
Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page and read the Terms and Conditions for Research Grants carefully, before applying.
There are two deadlines for Small Research Grant Applications each year: 1 April & 1 October.
To give the grants panel sufficient time to review applications and to inform applicants of the outcome of their project, the start date of any submitted project must be at least 3 months after each deadline:
1 April (project start date must be 1 July or later)
1 October (project start date must be 1 January or later)
Previous recipients and projects
Learn about the previous recipients of our Small Research Grants and their projects.
Discover our other grants
We offer a range offer a range of grants to support animal welfare research.