AAZV Zoological Medicine & Wildlife Health Research Grant 2025

In 2012, The American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV) established the Zoological Medicine and Wildlife Health Research Grant program which is funded by the Wild Animal Health Fund (WAHF).

The intent of the research grants is to support the AAZV mission to empower their members to advance their profession and enhance zoo and wild animal health, welfare, and conservation. Investigators are expected to disseminate their findings via peer-reviewed publication and any other relevant outreach efforts. Typically, WAHF receives 40-60 grant proposals each year, from which 15-20 grants are awarded per year.

Two categories of funding are available: the standard grant and small grant. Small grants are intended to foster innovation and training in research, and are often trainee-led projects, pilot studies, or opportunistic additions to an ongoing research effort. Small grants may be narrower in scope than standard proposals but must meet the same scientific standards.

New this year, one grant awarded to an investigator working outside the US and with international collaborators will be selected by the Research Grant Committee for recognition as the Rob Hilsenroth Global Reach Award. This designation is in honor of Rob Hilsenroth who served as the Executive Director of AAZV for nearly 20 years. Rob was instrumental in creating the AAZV Wild Animal Health Fund as he recognized the critical role of research in advancing wild animal health and conservation. He was also dedicated to promoting global outreach and accessibility of AAZV through the creation of the AAZV Developing Nations Limited Membership. With the Rob Hilsenroth Global Outreach Award, AAZV will pay homage to Rob’s passion for supporting wild animal health research across the globe, as we continue to diversify the animal health research community.

Grant of Zoological Medicine

• Standard grant: maximum $20,000
• Small grant: maximum $7,500

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Eligibility for Zoological Medicine

• Open to researchers working to enhance zoo and wild animal health, welfare, and conservation.
• At least one Principal Investigator must be an AAZV member in good standing.

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Evaluation Criteria

• Scientific merit (background; hypotheses and/or objectives; study design and methods; animal use)
• Impact and relevance (AAZV mission; expected benefit to target species or ecosystem)
• Feasibility (personnel; facilities; attainability of objectives; preliminary data if applicable)
• Finances (appropriate expenses; adequate justification; proportion of funding from WAHF)
• Technical writing (coherence and clarity; grammar and typography; literature review)

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