Call for Research Proposals
Executive Summary
The animal protection organization Farm Sanctuary (farmsanctuary.org) announces a call for grant
proposals on observational research of farm animal emotions, behavior, and cognitive abilities (for
example, chickens, pigs, sheep, goats, turkeys, and cows) in an approved setting (such as a farm
animal sanctuary).
How to Apply
Grants will be awarded for amounts ranging from $1,000 to $20,000. Research proposals should
include:
• A cover letter that includes the proposal title and name of principal investigator
• An abstract of the proposed research
• Curriculum vitae and current affiliation of the applicant. For students, this information should
be provided on the advisor(s) offering guidance on the project.
• A proposed timeline, including start date and completion date
• A detailed description of how animals will be used in the study
• A description of the final product (e.g., a research paper)
Deadline
Proposals will be considered in two time periods: late July and late October. Please submit proposals
by either July 15, 2013, or October 15, 2013. Research can be carried out at any time agreed upon in
advance with Farm Sanctuary’s Senior Director for Strategic Initiatives (contact information below).
Additional Information
• Grant amounts depend on the scope of the project, budget justification, and significance of
the study.
• All research must take place in an approved setting, such as a farm animal sanctuary. Farm
Sanctuary has approved sanctuaries in Watkins Glen, New York; Orland, California; and
Acton, California. Research settings should be ethologically and socially appropriate for the
individual animal and his/her species.
• All research must be noninvasive and respect and promote the welfare interests and
choices/preferences of the animals; in other words, it must be noncoercive if it involves an
intervention.
• All research should avoid causing harm to the animals and their co-inhabitants.
• Students require an academic advisor and approval from their home institution.
• Farm Sanctuary officers, directors, and employees, and the immediate family members of
such officers, directors, and employees are ineligible to apply for a grant.
• The selection committee is comprised of:
o Marc Bekoff, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology,
University of Colorado, Boulder
o Hope Ferdowsian, M.D., M.P.H., George Washington University
o Joyce D’Silva, Ambassador, Compassion in World Farming
o Key experts in the area under review, who will be approved by Farm Sanctuary.
• Once the selections have been made, grantees will be required to execute a grant agreement
prepared by Farm Sanctuary and agree to abide by all terms and conditions thereof.
Please send questions and proposals to bruce@farmsanctuary.org.