Morris Animal Foundation funds the science that gives animals longer, healthier lives by investing in research to fight disease, improve care, and protect animals worldwide.
Morris Animal Foundation centers its grantmaking on animal health research, with a portfolio built around studies that advance canine, feline, equid, and wildlife health. Recent awards show a strong emphasis on university-based research, including large grants to the University of California Davis and the University of Minnesota for animal health studies. The foundation also supports industry and research-partnership work through its data commons and biorepository programs, which give qualified researchers access to Golden Retriever Lifetime Study data and biological samples. The foundation’s research agenda includes canine cancer, infectious disease, genetics, nutrition, diagnostics, and prevention, alongside broader veterinary and comparative biomedical studies. Its active programs are structured around specific stages of research and training, from pilot studies and first awards to established investigator grants, fellowship training, and veterinary student scholarships. That mix signals a funder that supports both early-career researchers and established scientists working on hypothesis-driven projects. Recent grant activity also includes support for organizations such as Cornell University, Tufts University, and Ethos Discovery, showing a grantmaking approach that reaches across academic and applied research settings. Across these awards, the common thread is research aimed at improving the health and care of animals through scientific discovery and data access.
In canine health research, Morris Animal Foundation backed the University of Georgia for animal health studies and Vaika Inc for animal health studies, reflecting support for both academic and industry settings. Its research interests include canine cancer, genetics, nutrition, and environmental exposures through the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study access programs. The foundation also funds veterinary and comparative biomedical research. University of Illinois, Purdue University, and the University of Florida all received animal health studies grants, indicating sustained support for university-led research on disease prevention, diagnostics, and treatments. Wildlife and equid health are also part of the portfolio. The active grant programs include First Award Grants, Pilot Study Grants, Fellowship Training Grants, and Established Investigator Grants, all of which support hypothesis-driven research in companion animal, equid, or wildlife health. The Veterinary Student Scholar Program adds mentored research training for veterinary students.
$4.7M
$123.3M
$17.3M
$16.6M
Most grants fall between $61K and $167K, with a median of $100K.
25th Percentile
$61K
Median
$100K
75th Percentile
$167K
About 5% of grants go to recipients in CA.
RYAN WELCH
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Morris Animal Foundation’s typical grant size sits at a p25 of $60,848, a median of $100,000, and a p75 of $166,730. Recent awards also show a wide upper range, with several grants in the mid- to high-six-figure band. The pattern suggests a research funder that combines competitive project grants with training and data-access mechanisms. The foundation uses multiple recurring program tracks rather than one-off giving only. Active mechanisms include Established Investigator Grants, First Award Grants, Pilot Study Grants, Fellowship Training Grants, Veterinary Student Scholar Program, and data-access programs tied to the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study. Some programs accept unsolicited applications, including the Data Commons & Biorepository tracks and the general research grants program; others are competitive and do not accept unsolicited proposals.
Grantmaking is national, and the recipient mix is entirely U.S.-based in the recent grants sample. New York appears most often in the grant count, while only 5% of grants go to recipients in Colorado, the foundation’s headquarters state. Recent awards landed at institutions in cities including Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Athens, Chicago, Gainesville, Ithaca, Boston, Raleigh, and Fort Collins. The geography is broad across academic and research centers, with repeated awards to universities in Georgia, North Carolina, Colorado, and Massachusetts. The recent-grants table also includes recipients in East Aurora, East Lansing, Olathe, and Corvallis.
The foundation funds animal health research focused on dogs, cats, horses, and wildlife. Active program areas include canine cancer research, veterinary clinical research, wildlife disease and conservation, species health, and data sharing through the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study data commons and biorepository.
Yes. Its active programs include First Award Grants for investigators beyond the fellowship stage, Fellowship Training Grants for new investigators launching a research career, Pilot Study Grants for feasibility work, and the Veterinary Student Scholar Program for mentored student research.
Yes. The Bette M. Morris Data Commons & Biorepository programs provide access to Golden Retriever Lifetime Study data and biological samples. Qualified applicants from academia, government, nonprofit organizations, and industry can apply through academic and industry partnership tracks.
New York receives the most grants in the recent sample. Colorado, the headquarters state, accounts for 5% of grants to recipients in the recent data.
Typical grants are centered at $100,000 median, with a lower quartile of $60,848 and an upper quartile of $166,730. Recent awards include several grants above $200,000, reflecting a mix of mid-sized and larger research awards.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Morris Animal Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Researchers from academia, government, nonprofit organizations, and industry are invited to apply for access to data and/or samples. Qualified individuals may gain access to Golden Retriever Lifetime Study resources.
Deadline: Rolling RFP open January 12, 2026.
Who can apply: Open to established investigators, first award applicants, pilot study applicants, and fellowship training applicants.
Deadline: Pre-proposal opens August 26, 2026 and closes September 30, 2026.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY | FORT COLLINS, CO | $1,849,339 | 2026 | ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $355,257 | 2026 | ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES |
| CORNELL UNIVERSITY | ITHACA, NY | $313,360 | 2026 | ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA RESEARCH FOUNDATION INC | ATHENS, GA | $258,499 | 2026 | ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $214,812 | 2026 | ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES |
| BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS | URBANA, IL | $202,112 | 2026 | ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES |
| TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY | COLLEGE STATION, TX | $162,757 | 2026 | ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES |
| OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY | CORVALLIS, OR | $144,828 | 2026 | ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES |
| TUFTS UNIVERSITY | MEDFORD, MA | $144,396 | 2026 | ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES |
| THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF LA STATE UNIV AND AGRICULTURAL | BATON ROUGE, LA | $142,916 | 2026 | ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES |
| NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY | RALEIGH, NC | $136,798 | 2026 | ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES |
| FOUR RIVERS KENNEL LLC | WALKER, MO | $133,271 | 2026 | ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES |
| TRUSTEE OF TUFTS COLLEGE | MEDFORD, MA | $124,979 | 2026 | ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES |
| PURDUE UNIVERSITY | WEST LAFAYETTE, IN | $119,891 | 2026 | ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES |
| AUBURN UNIVERSITY | AUBURN, AL | $99,511 | 2026 | ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES |
| VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITY | BLACKSBURG, VA | $99,252 | 2026 | ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES |
| TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE | CHARLESTON, SC | $49,993 | 2026 | ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION | LEXINGTON, KY | $20,000 | 2026 | ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES |
| ZOETIS LLC | BOSTON, MA | $20,000 | 2026 | ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES |
| FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC | BOCA RATON, FL | $19,985 | 2026 | ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN | CHAMPAIGN, IL | $19,938 | 2026 | ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $19,818 | 2026 | ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE | KNOXVILLE, TN | $12,503 | 2026 | ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES |
| EPIPAWS INC | FORT LAUDERDALE, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $686,554 | 2025 | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA | ATHENS, GA | $680,084 | 2025 | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS | CHICAGO, IL | $649,319 | 2025 | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA | GAINESVILLE, FL | $348,577 | 2025 | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES |
| PURDUE UNIVERSITY | CHICAGO, IL | $319,066 | 2025 | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES |
| COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY | FORT COLLINS, CO | $318,692 | 2025 | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES |
| CORNELL UNIVERSITY | ITHACA, NY | $286,148 | 2025 | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $223,214 | 2025 | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS | WORCESTER, MA | $199,656 | 2025 | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES |
| TUFTS UNIVERSITY | BOSTON, MA | $168,815 | 2025 | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES |
| ETHOS DISCOVERY | SAN DIEGO, CA | $166,761 | 2025 | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES |
| MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY | EAST LANSING, MI | $166,698 | 2025 | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES |
| ELIAS ANIMAL HEALTH LLC | OLATHE, KS | $158,152 | 2025 | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY | CLEVELAND, OH | $144,990 | 2025 | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES |
| OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY | CORVALLIS, OR | $144,874 | 2025 | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES |
| GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $144,805 | 2025 | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES |
| NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY | RALEIGH, NC | $135,212 | 2025 | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF CA LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $135,000 | 2025 | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES |
| VIRGINIA TECH | BLACKSBURG, VA | $133,722 | 2025 | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES |
| YALE UNIVERSITY | NEW HAVEN, CT | $124,999 | 2025 | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON | MADISON, WI | $124,999 | 2025 | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES |
| MOTE MARINE LABORATORY | SARASOTA, FL | $119,577 | 2025 | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES |
| THE BROAD INSTITUTE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $100,191 | 2025 | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES |
| THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $98,668 | 2025 | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES |
| THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY | COLUMBUS, OH | $97,114 | 2025 | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES |
| TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE RESEARCH | COLLEGE STATION, TX | $65,755 | 2025 | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES |
COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
$1,849,339ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS
$355,257ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
$214,812ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
$202,112ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
$162,757ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
$144,828ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF LA STATE UNIV AND AGRICULTURAL
$142,916ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
$136,798ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES
FOUR RIVERS KENNEL LLC
$133,271ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
$119,891ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
$99,511ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES
VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITY
$99,252ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES
ZOETIS LLC
$20,000ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
$19,938ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES
THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
$19,818ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES
THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
$12,503ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES
EPIPAWS INC
$10,000ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
$686,554ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
$649,319ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
$348,577ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
$319,066ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES
COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
$318,692ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS
$223,214ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
$199,656ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
$166,698ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES
ELIAS ANIMAL HEALTH LLC
$158,152ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
$144,874ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
$135,212ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CA LOS ANGELES
$135,000ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES
VIRGINIA TECH
$133,722ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
$124,999ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES
THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CA
$98,668ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
$97,114ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES
TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE RESEARCH
$65,755ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES
