Large Research Grants for Animal Welfare Science

The Science for Animal Welfare Large Research Grants support scientific research that improves understanding of animals’ needs, welfare challenges, and the effects of human activities on animal well-being. The programme supports research involving farmed, companion, laboratory, captive wild, and free-living wild animals and is open to eligible researchers worldwide. Grants are intended for research projects requesting more than £5,000, and applicants must demonstrate relevant expertise in animal welfare science. Overview of the Large Research Grants The Large Research Grants from Science for Animal Welfare are designed to advance scientific knowledge about animal welfare. The programme supports research that can improve understanding of: Animals’ needs. Animal welfare conditions. Welfare challenges. Human impacts on animals. Scientific approaches to improving animal well-being. The grants are intended for research projects that require funding of more than £5,000. Purpose of the Research Grants The primary goal is to strengthen the scientific evidence base for animal welfare. Supported research should contribute to a better understanding of the conditions, experiences, needs, or challenges affecting animals. The programme has a broad scope and can support research involving several categories of animals. Farmed Animals Research may focus on animals raised for agricultural purposes, including their: Living conditions. Welfare needs. Behaviour. Health-related welfare. Human interactions. Companion Animals Projects may address welfare challenges affecting companion animals and improve scientific understanding of their needs and well-being. Laboratory Animals Research involving laboratory animals may be considered where the project addresses relevant animal welfare questions. Captive Wild Animals Projects can examine welfare issues affecting wild animals kept in captivity.

This may include research into:

Behavioural needs. Environmental conditions. Welfare assessment. Human management practices. Free-Living Wild Animals The programme also supports research concerning free-living wild animals whose welfare is compromised by human activity. This provides scope for research examining the welfare effects of human interventions, environmental pressures, or other activities affecting wild animals. Key Research Focus A strong proposal should clearly identify an animal welfare problem and explain how scientific research will improve understanding of that problem.

Potential areas may include:

Animal welfare science. Welfare assessment. Animal behaviour. Human-animal interactions. Environmental impacts on welfare. Welfare needs. Evidence-based welfare improvement. The central connection should be to animal welfare and scientific understanding. Funding Amount The Large Research Grants are intended for projects requesting: More than £5,000 The programme distinguishes these grants from smaller research funding opportunities by focusing on projects requiring funding above this threshold. Applicants should develop a budget that is appropriate to the research activities and objectives proposed. Who Is Eligible?

Researchers may apply from:

Anywhere in the world. However, funding may be restricted in certain circumstances, including: Other circumstances outside the programme’s control.

Applicants must demonstrate:

Expertise in animal welfare science. Appropriate research capability. A research project relevant to the programme’s objectives. Why These Grants Matter Animal welfare decisions increasingly depend on reliable scientific evidence.

Research can help identify:

What animals need to experience good welfare. Which conditions compromise animal welfare. How human activities affect animals. Which interventions may improve welfare. How animal welfare can be scientifically assessed. By supporting research across farmed, companion, laboratory, captive wild, and free-living wild animals, the programme takes a broad approach to understanding welfare challenges. How to Develop a Research Proposal

Step 1: Identify an Animal Welfare Problem

Start with a clearly defined welfare challenge affecting a specific animal population.

Explain:

Which animals are affected. What welfare problem exists. How human activity contributes to the problem. Why additional research is necessary.

Step 2: Define the Research Question

Develop a focused scientific question that directly addresses the identified welfare issue.

The question should be:

Specific. Researchable. Scientifically meaningful. Relevant to animal welfare.

Step 3: Explain the Scientific Approach

Describe how the research will generate new knowledge.

Include appropriate information about:

Research methods. Data collection. Analysis. Study population. Research activities.

Step 4: Demonstrate Animal Welfare Expertise

Applicants should demonstrate their expertise in animal welfare science through relevant: Research experience. Publications. Academic or professional background. Previous projects.

Step 5: Connect the Research to Welfare Improvement

Clearly explain how the findings could improve understanding of animal welfare. The proposal should make the pathway from: Research → Evidence → Better understanding → Potential welfare improvement easy to understand.

Step 6: Prepare a Realistic Budget

Because Large Research Grants are for projects requesting more than £5,000, applicants should ensure that the proposed budget is clearly connected to the research plan. Tips for a Strong Application Focus on Animal Welfare The research should have a clear and direct connection to animal welfare rather than being purely general animal science. Define the Welfare Problem Clearly Reviewers should quickly understand what welfare challenge the project addresses and why it matters. Demonstrate Scientific Expertise Clearly establish your experience and qualifications in animal welfare science. Explain the Expected Contribution Describe what new knowledge the research will generate and why t