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

Rising Researcher Program

Through this program, the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) invest in the next generation of canine health researchers, offering postdoctoral researchers a unique opportunity to advance the health of dogs while developing their careers as emerging scientists.

Purpose of this Grant

The Rising Researcher Program aims to support early-career,
canine health researchers by funding their research and promote career development. The program is designed to foster independent scientific careers by providing up to three years of support for projects that address significant health priorities in dogs. Applicants may submit proposals under the Acorn or Oak grant categories, depending on the project’s scope and budget.

Who is Eligible

Eligible applicants for the Rising Researcher Program must have
a PhD, DVM, VMD, or equivalent professional doctorate and must not hold a faculty appointment at the time of the award. At the time of application, they must actively be under the mentorship of an Associate or Full Professor with an established canine health research program. Applicants should be able to commit at least 50% of their time to the proposed project and must not have other pending or funded CHF grant proposals.

This program encourages the development of independent researchers dedicated to advancing the field of canine health, and grants are awarded based on both research merit and career development potential.

Rising Researcher

Investigator with a PhD, DVM, VMD or equivalent professional or clinical doctoral degree with no faculty appointment.

FUNDING HIGHLIGHTS

Measure the Impact of the Rising Researcher Program

2024

Marked the beginning of CHF’s commitment to the investment of the program.

3

Significant areas of canine health addressed by rising researcher applicants.

2

Countries requesting funding opportunities.

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
2026 Active Grant
Nervous System Health $15,086.16
03514-A: Optimizing Pain Control with Epidural Anesthesia in Canine Intervertebral Disc Disease Surgery
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Alex Chan
University of Cambridge Logo
2025 Active Grant
Nervous System Health $24,540.00
03327-A: Understanding megaesophagus, a step closer to its treatment
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): An E. Vanhaesebrouck, DVM, CEAV, DECVN, DPhil, MRCVS, EBVS
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
General Health & Wellness $21,157.93
03417-A: Assessment of the impact of pre-treatment with anti-emetic therapy on the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux in dogs undergoing anesthesia for orthopedic surgery as assessed by esophageal pH monitoring and gastric volume assessment
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Emily Wheeler, DVM
2025 Active Grant
Epilepsy $31,280.00
03439-MOU: Molecular Genetic Basis of Epilepsy in Standard Schnauzers
Breed(s): Standard Schnauzer
Researcher(s): Martin L. Katz, PhD
University of Pennsylvania Logo
2025 Active Grant
Sports Medicine & Rehabilitiation Residencies $244,372.68
03309-E: 2025 University of Pennsylvania Canine Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Cynthia M. Otto, DVM, PhD, DACVECC, DACVSMR
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
Colorado State University Logo
2025 Active Grant
Sports Medicine & Rehabilitiation Residencies $250,000.00
03330-E: 2025 Colorado State University Canine Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Lindsay Hochman Elam, DVM, MPH, DACVSMR
Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine Logo
2025 Active Grant
Theriogenology Residences $150,000.00
03318-E: Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine 2025 Small Animal Theriogenology Residency
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Dr. Julie T. Cecere, DVM, MS, DACT
2025 Active Grant
Theriogenology Residences $150,000.00
03342-E: 2025 Auburn University Small Animal Theriogenology Residency
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Robyn R. Wilborn, DVM, MS
University of Minnesota Logo
2025 Active Grant
Kidney & Bladder Health $13,467.65
03410-A: Short Chain Fatty Acids and Calcium Oxalate Urolithiasis in Dogs
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Emily Coffey, DVM, PhD
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
Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine Logo
2025 Active Grant
Nervous System Health $20,654.00
03411-A: Prognostic Utility of Preoperative F-wave Measurements in Paraplegic Dogs with Absent Pain Perception due to Intervertebral Disc Extrusion
Breed(s): Basset Hound, Beagle, Corgi, Dachshund, French Bulldog, Shih Tzu
Researcher(s): Go GT Togawa

Explore All Investigator Opportunities

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