Celebrating the Breakthroughs Shaping the Future of Canine Health. Meet the 2025 Canine Health Discovery Award Finalists.

Oak Grants

These grants support large-scale research projects requiring more than $30,000 in funding, with an emphasis on scientific discovery to address canine health priorities.

Purpose of this Grant

The Oak Grants – named after Raleigh, NC, the “City of Oaks” and headquarters of CHF – provide funding of more than $30,000 to support larger, well-established studies and clinical trials addressing significant health priorities in dogs. These longer-term grants fund research aimed at developing innovative treatments, preventive measures, and diagnostic tools that make a substantial impact on scientific and medical advancements to benefit the health of dogs..

Who is Eligible

Eligible applicants include established investigators with
the expertise and resources to conduct large, high-impact research projects. Applications are subject to external peer review to ensure scientific quality and relevance.

Research Scientists

Investigators with a demonstrated research interest in canine health and the resources to conduct large-scale projects.

Veterinary Clinical Scientists

Clinicians in specialized disciplines such as cardiology, oncology, or surgery.

Research Institutions and Collaborations​

Collaborative teams with multidisciplinary expertise and infrastructure to undertake complex, high-impact research.

FUNDING HIGHLIGHTS

Measuring the Impact of Oak Grants

640

Grants funded to date, advancing groundbreaking research in canine medicine.

$52M

Funding distributed to support transformative projects in canine health discovery.

15+

Countries have received grants, fostering global collaboration in canine health.

Taking The Next Step

Ready to apply? Visit our Request for Proposal page to stay updated on upcoming funding opportunities and get prepared to submit your application when the next cycle opens. Be sure to review the guidelines and eligibility requirements in advance.

Grants

2026 Active Grant
General Health & Wellness $59,759.75
03424: Genetic Investigation of Acquired Urinary Incontinence in Dogs
Breed(s): Doberman Pinscher
Researcher(s): Lauren A Baker, DVM, PhD
North Carolina State University Logo
2025 Active Grant
Behavior $163,570.25
03408: Development of a Pain Related Dog Emotion and Cognitive Test Battery
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Maggie L Creamer, PhD
University of Georgia Logo
2025 Active Grant
Skin & Allergies $177,108.74
03431: Genome-wide investigation of alopecia X in Pomeranians
Breed(s): Pomeranian
Researcher(s): Tori Rudolph
2025 Active Grant
Infection & Immunity $27,958.51
03169-T: Characterization of hookworm resistance in dogs with a novel diagnostic test for early intervention
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Jeba R J Jesudoss Chelladurai, BVSc & AH, MS, PhD, DACVM
2025 Active Grant
Infection & Immunity $71,198.80
03315: Canine platelet lysate against biofilm formation.
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Maria Naskou, DVM, PhD
University of Pennsylvania Logo
2025 Active Grant
Lung & Airway Health $31,209.85
03413: Targeted Cytokine Analysis to Identify Hyper- and Hypoinflammatory Subphenotypes in Canine ARDS
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Tereza Stastny, DVM
The Ohio State University Logo
2025 Active Grant
General Cancer $157,883.50
03403: Characterization and Prognostic Evaluation of Infiltrative Immune Cells in Canine Soft Tissue Sarcomas
Breed(s): All Dogs, Boxer, German Shepherd Dog, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Researcher(s): Hunter John Piegols, DVM
University of Pennsylvania Logo
2025 Active Grant
General Health & Wellness $90,950.58
03391: Water-based cooling strategies for dogs experiencing exercise-induced hyperthermia
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Cynthia M. Otto, DVM, PhD, DACVECC, DACVSMR
Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán Logo
2025 Active Grant
Infection & Immunity $49,572.00
03314: Evaluation of an immunotherapeutic bivalent vaccine in owned dogs naturally infected with Trypanosoma cruzi.
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Julio Vladimir Cruz-Chan, DVM, PhD
Texas A&M AgriLife Research Logo
2025 Active Grant
Infection & Immunity $154,815.00
03334: Antiparasitic treatment of Trypanosoma cruzi-infected dogs across different stages of disease for clinical cardiac improvements- the 100-dog study
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Sarah A Hamer, MS, PhD, DVM, DACVPM
North Carolina State University Logo
2025 Active Grant
Infection & Immunity $75,012.00
03336: Comparative investigation of techniques to enhance the visualization of Bartonella for pathological diagnosis of bartonellosis in dogs
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Cynthia M Robveille, DVM, MS, DECVP
North Carolina State University Logo
2025 Active Grant
Infection & Immunity $105,012.00
03337: Identification of Bartonella henselae immunodominant epitopes for diagnosis and prevention of canine bartonelloses
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Edward B Breitschwerdt, DVM, DACVIM
Colorado State University Logo
2025 Active Grant
Infection & Immunity $74,192.00
03339: The Role of select Enteric Bacteria in Dogs with Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Michael R. Lappin, DVM, PhD, DACVIM
North Carolina State University Logo
2025 Active Grant
Liver Health $149,525.00
03367: How genetics, environmental exposures, and the enteric nervous system influence gallbladder mucocele formation in dogs.
Breed(s): Beagle, Bichon Frise, Border Terrier, Chihuahua, Cocker Spaniel, Pomeranian, Pug, Scottish Terrier, Shetland Sheepdog
Researcher(s): Jody L. Gookin, DVM, PhD, DACVIM
University of Zurich Logo
2025 Active Grant
General Cancer $376,941.60
03373: “Deciphering the STS-landscape” – combining spatially defined transcriptomics with clinical outcome data to improve diagnosis and therapy of canine soft-tissue sarcoma
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Enni Markkanen, Dr. med. vet., Dr. sc. nat.

Explore All Investigator Opportunities

Discover a range of funding options designed to support and advance your research in canine health.