Focused Research Opportunity: Juvenile Cataracts in Golden Retrievers

Pre-Proposal Applications and invited Full Proposal Applications must align with the AKC Canine Health Foundation’s mission to improve the health of all dogs through research and knowledge discovery. Proposed research should be scientifically rigorous and contribute to the understanding, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of canine disease.

Applicants must:

• Follow the instructions provided on the Grant Submission and Report Template. Application requirements are strictly enforced; submissions that do not comply may be declined or delayed.
• Adhere to the Foundation’s Humane Use of Animals Policy and eligibility requirements.
• Consider addressing the suggested criteria provided in blue font in the application template. While these criteria are not required, applicants are strongly encouraged to address them fully.

Rising Researchers: Applications from Rising Researchers are being accepted during this funding cycle. Applicants should review the Rising Researcher program details to ensure all proposal elements are included.

Early Career Investigators: Applications from Early Career Investigators are being accepted during this funding cycle. Applicants applying as Early Career Investigators must also meet the following requirements:

• Principal investigators must have a DVM (or VMD) and/or a PhD and a demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in canine health research.
• Applicants should be within 6 years after the date of completion of training at the time of submission. Training includes DVM, PhD, or post-graduate studies including residency programs.
• A letter of institutional appointment should be provided from the institution’s dean or research administration official assuring the principal investigator’s protected research time for development as an independent researcher. The letter must also address mentorship, career development opportunities, and other support available to promote the success of the applicant as a thriving investigator.
• A letter of support from a mentor must address mentorship, career development opportunities, and other support available to promote the success of the applicant’s project.  This letter must also include a statement that the mentor has reviewed the application prior to submission.

Collaborative, cross-disciplinary teams are welcome.

Pre-Proposal Application Requirements

Pre-proposals must be submitted electronically through the CHF Applicant Portal using the current AKC Canine Health Foundation Pre-Proposal Template.

• The pre-proposal is limited to three pages, with one additional page permitted for Literature Cited (maximum four pages total).
• Applicants should use the provided template without modifying the formatting, font size, margins, or page layout.

Submissions that exceed the page limit or do not follow the template requirements may be declined or delayed.

Review Process

• Pre-proposals will undergo scientific peer review by CHF’s Scientific Review Committee.
• Applicants whose Pre-Proposal Applications are selected to advance will be invited to submit a Full Proposal Application, which will undergo scientific peer review and evaluation by CHF’s Scientific Review Committee.