Request for Proposals-AKC Canine Health Foundation-Juvenile Cataracts in Golden Retrievers

Sponsor

American Kennel Club

Program

This award aims to promote studies leading to significant advancements in degenerative myelopathy, under CHF’s eye health research program area

For More Information

For additional information, please visit the program website.

Description

The Canine Health Foundation of the American Kennel Club welcomes innovative approaches that must address both the genetic basis of juvenile cataracts and their functional impact on vision and quality of life, including but not limited to:

1. Genetic basis and inheritance: Investigating the genetic basis and inheritance patterns of juvenile cataracts in Golden Retrievers.
2. Functional vision and quality of life: Evaluating the impact of juvenile cataracts on functional vision and quality of life as affected dogs age, including:
   1. Whether the cataracts progress and cause increased impairment over time.
   2. Whether some juvenile cataracts progress to cause functional impairment and others do not.
   3. Whether clinical, genetic and/or other features differentiate those that progress from those that do not.

This two-stage process requires all applicants to first submit a pre-proposal; selected applicants will then be invited to submit a full proposal. This process allows evaluation of funding priorities and an opportunity for early feedback while optimizing time and resources before developing a full proposal.

Eligibility

Pre-Proposal Applications and invited Full Proposal Applications must align with the AKC Canine Health Foundation’s mission to improve the health of all dogs through research and knowledge discovery. Proposed research should be scientifically rigorous and contribute to the understanding, prevention, diagnosis or treatment of canine disease.

Applicants must:

• Follow the instructions provided on the Grant Submission and Report Template. Application requirements are strictly enforced; submissions that do not comply may be declined or delayed.
• Adhere to the Foundation’s Humane Use of Animals Policy and eligibility requirements.
• Consider addressing the suggested criteria provided in blue font in the application template. While these criteria are not required, applicants are strongly encouraged to address them fully.
• For Rising Researchers, applications are being accepted for this call. Please see the program details to ensure all proposal elements are included.
• For Early Career Investigators, proposals must also include:
  • Principal investigators must have a DVM (or VMD) and/or a PhD and a demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in canine health research.
  • Applicants should be within 6 years after the date of completion of training at the time of submission. Training includes DVM, PhD or post-graduate studies including residency programs.
  • A letter of institutional appointment should be provided from the institution’s dean or research administration official assuring the principal investigator’s protected research time for development as an independent researcher. The letter must also address mentorship, career development opportunities and other support available to promote the success of the applicant as a thriving investigator.
  • A letter of support from a mentor must address mentorship, career development opportunities and other support available to promote the success of the applicant’s project. This letter must also include a statement that the mentor has reviewed the application prior to submission.

Maximum Project Value

Maximum total budget: up to $160,000. Both Acorn ($30,000 maximum including 15% maximum indirect costs) and Oak ($30,000+ including 15% maximum indirect costs) grant proposals that can be completed within the budget will be accepted for review.

Indirect Costs

15%

How to Apply

Pre-proposals must be submitted electronically through the CHF Applicant Portal using the current AKC Canine Health Foundation Pre-Proposal Template.

• The pre-proposal is limited to three pages, with one additional page permitted for Literature Cited (maximum four pages total).
• Applicants should use the provided template without modifying the formatting, font size, margins or page layout.

Submissions that exceed the page limit or do not follow the template requirements may be declined or delayed.

• Applicants whose Pre-Proposal Applications are selected to advance will be invited to submit a Full Proposal Application, which will undergo scientific peer review and evaluation by CHF’s Scientific Review Committee.