CALL FOR RESEARCH PROPOSALS
Executive Summary
The animal protection organizations Farm Sanctuary (farmsanctuary.org) and The Kimmela
Center for Animal Advocacy (www.kimmela.org) announce a Call for Grant Proposals for
cutting-edge noninvasive research on the complex nature of farm animal (chickens, pigs, sheep,
goats, turkeys, and cows) emotions, behavior, and cognitive abilities in an approved setting (such
as a farm animal sanctuary). We are particularly interested in funding rigorous innovative
research which will expand our understanding of who farm animals are and how they experience
their lives. Examples include studies of self-awareness, emotional and social complexity,
personality, and mood and anxiety disorders such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.
All proposals should be designed for publication in peer reviewed journals, and the plan for peer
review submission should be included in the proposal.
How to Apply
Grants will be awarded for amounts from $1,000–$20,000. Research proposals should include:

A cover letter that includes the proposal title and name of principal investigator and any
co-investigators

An abstract of the proposed research

Rationale (background) for the study

Study aims and objectives

Methodology, including:

A detailed description of how animals will be studied

Outcomes measurement techniques

Analysis

Potential implications or impact for our understanding, perception, and treatment of farm
animals.

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 description of the final product (e.g., a research paper), and the plans for submitting for
publication and (if applicable) poster presentation(s).
Deadline
Proposals will be considered on a rolling basis. Research can be carried out at any time agreed
upon in advance with Farm Sanctuary.
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 and should not involve animals
who are purchased or bred.

All research must be noninvasive, respectful and promote the welfare interests and
choices/preferences of the animals; in other words, it must be non-coercive if it involves
an intervention.

All research should avoid causing harm to the animals and their co-inhabitants.

Students are welcome, but all students must have an academic advisor and approval from
their home institution.

Farm Sanctuary and Kimmela Center 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:


Marc Bekoff, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology,
University of Colorado, Boulder

Hope Ferdowsian, M.D., M.P.H., Georgetown University; George Washington
University

Joyce D’Silva, Ambassador, Compassion in World Farming

Lori Marino, Ph.D., Neuroscientist and Executive Director of The Kimmela Center
for Animal Advocacy

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 The Kimmela Center and agree to abide by all
terms and conditions thereof.
Please send questions and proposals to [email protected].