Cruelty Research Seed Grant 2022

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA®) aims to increase effectiveness in cruelty prevention and response by promoting the growth of high-quality research that will advance anti-cruelty policy and program initiatives and heighten awareness and responses to animal cruelty by key professional audiences. To this end, the ASPCA invites grant applications for our Cruelty Research Seed Grant program. This program seeks to support research that advances knowledge in preventing and responding to animal cruelty.

The typical grant amount under this solicitation is $10,000-$15,000 with a maximum individual grant amount of $25,000. The study period is one calendar year from the time of award, with recipients being eligible to apply for one, no-cost extension that will extend the project period for one additional year. The total funding amount available for this grant opportunity is $70,000.

Eligibility

We acknowledge that the effort to prevent and effectively respond to animal cruelty can be advanced by multiple disciplines and diverse areas of expertise (e.g., public health, criminal justice, law, public policy, psychology, sociology, social work, veterinary medicine, animal behavior). For the 2022 funding call, we are inviting applications from investigators from all disciplines and areas of expertise whose projects will contribute to advancing these goals.

Applications from individuals will not be accepted. To be eligible to apply, investigators and/or research teams must be affiliated with a US public or private entity such as a university, college, government agency, veterinary hospital or clinic, or other institution. Applications will be considered from both non-profit and for-profit entities as long as they meet all other eligibility criteria listed in this document.

This opportunity is also available to Canadian registered charities/foundations, public universities, and approved municipalities/public bodies.

Note: Applications from researchers who are in the early stages of their careers are strongly encouraged.

The ASPCA® was founded on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans. Acting effectively on that belief requires a commitment to fostering a collaborative and compassionate culture and to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We welcome and encourage diverse candidates to apply for our grant opportunities in the interest of working together to improve the lives of animals in need.

Eligible Projects

The 2022 Cruelty Research Seed Grant program solicits research proposals that will inform public policy, the legal field, and/or criminal and clinical casework. Research that proposes to analyze the effectiveness of legislative and other policy measures designed to prevent and/or respond to cruelty are especially encouraged. Also of interest is research that heightens awareness of animal cruelty and provides evidence that informs key community stakeholders and allied professionals in preventing and responding to this animal welfare issue. Key stakeholders include, but are not limited to:

• Animal Welfare Organizations
• Legislators
• Government Agencies
• Veterinary Professionals
• Law Enforcement and Prosecutors
• Social Service Professionals

Projects must have a clear research question with appropriate methodology to address the proposed research aims. Projects with the primary aim of providing services or building infrastructure will not be considered. 

Applicants must meet ASPCA Grantee Organizational Standards:

• If a past ASPCA grant recipient, must be current on all reporting requirements 

• If a nonprofit organization 
  • Must be an incorporated or organized legal entity in good standing with the Secretary of State in the state where the organization is incorporated or organized 
  • Must have a board of at least 4 members with a majority of independent members with neither board chair nor treasurer receiving compensation from the organization 
  • Charitable registration must be current/active in the state of the Grantee’s primary location (for grants >=$25,000)

Download full requirements (PDF)

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following five criteria:

1. Relevance – the proposed research directly informs cruelty prevention/response approaches and techniques
2. Generalizability – the results can be used by many stakeholders in different settings.
3. Approach – the study design is justified and appropriate to achieve the project goals (e.g., the study is adequately powered to answer the questions, the statistical analysis is appropriate, ethical issues are addressed, the project timeline is logical and feasible).
4. Potential impact – the potential for the research to substantially strengthen cruelty prevention and response in the United States.
5. Credentials – evidence of the team’s ability to carry out the proposed work.

ASPCA as a Resource

An ASPCA Research Director and/or content expert affiliated with the ASPCA may be available to lend expertise to study design considerations as requested by grant recipients. ASPCA personnel will not participate in data collection, analysis, or manuscript writing and the proposed budget and application must provide the personnel and expertise to accomplish these tasks.

Complete Timeframe

• RFP will open on Monday, April 18, 2022, at 9 a.m. ET.
• RFP will close on Monday September 1, 2022, at 5 p.m. ET.
• Finalists will be notified via email on or around Monday, October 17, 2022 and invited to complete a formal application in our grant management system. 
• Funding decisions are expected before November 28, 2022. 

Questions 

• For program-related inquiries, please contact ASPCAResearch@aspca.org 
• For application submission inquiries/technical difficulties, please contact grants@aspca.org