British Veterinary Association Animal Welfare Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £243,802 (expenditure, latest available)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly specified
• Grant Range: £500 - £42,000 (depending on programme)
• Geographic Focus: United Kingdom and Ireland
• Charity Number: 1192203

Contact Details

Website: www.animalwelfarefoundation.org.uk

Email: enquiries@animalwelfarefoundation.org.uk

Phone: 020 7636 6541

Overview

The Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) was established in 1983 by members of the British Veterinary Association from a legacy. The charity supports the veterinary profession to use its unique position to drive improvements in animal welfare. AWF funds research projects to improve the welfare of animals in the UK, stimulates debate on current animal welfare issues, promotes and develops animal welfare education, and enhances animal welfare-related teaching in UK veterinary schools. Since 2016, the foundation has invested more than £85,000 in student research projects alone. The charity operates with a board of nine trustees and had total income of £138,878 in its latest reporting period.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Student Grant Scheme: £500 - £5,000 per project

• Total annual investment: approximately £10,000-£12,000 distributed across several projects
• Open to undergraduate students in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing, animal welfare studies, agricultural sciences, zoology, and social sciences
• Designed for short research projects lasting up to 12 weeks full-time
• Application method: Annual application cycle, typically opens September/October with deadlines in late February
• Since 2016, the scheme has invested over £85,000 in student research

Research Call: Up to £30,000 total (funding up to 2 projects)

• Individual project funding not specified but likely £15,000 per project given the total
• Open to researchers, practicing veterinarians, and veterinary nurses with research experience
• Principal Investigator must have a demonstrable research track record and be based in the UK
• Application method: Opens in spring for the following year's funding cycle
• Research must be appropriate for publishing in peer-reviewed journals with open access

Master's Degree Partnership: Up to £42,000

• Joint funding with BSAVA PetSavers for a Master's Degree by Research in animal welfare
• Covers postgraduate student stipend at BBSRC standard rates
• Veterinary stipend can be requested

Priority Areas

AWF funds research and education projects that:

• Address current animal welfare issues relevant to managed animals in the UK
• Are relevant to veterinary and allied professionals in the UK
• Have potential for practical solutions to animal welfare problems
• Cover any species
• Develop students' research skills and understanding of animal welfare

Examples of Previously Funded Projects:

• Dairy cattle pain assessment and grimace expressions
• Cross-species emotional contagion in laboratory rats
• Relationship between habitat biodiversity and donkey welfare
• Pain management in calves and farmer decision-making
• Evaluation of skin wounds in donkeys in Tamil Nadu, India
• Characterization of microbiota in dairy cattle infectious lameness
• Parasite burdens in orphaned one-horned rhino calves
• Enrichment feeding with pet dogs

Connection to BVA Priorities:

AWF encourages applicants to consider BVA's priority animal welfare problems, which include:

• Non-traditional companion animals (NTCAs) - over 80% of vets report concern about their welfare needs not being met
• Welfare of animals killed for NTCA food
• Wild-capture of animals for the pet trade
• Cages for laying hens and farrowing crates for pigs
• Animal welfare at slaughter (particularly non-stunned slaughter)
• Technology and AI's role in improving animal welfare
• Animal welfare in environmental sustainability and One Health contexts

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented on their website. However, projects must:

• Focus on animal welfare (not purely medical/clinical research without welfare component)
• Be relevant to the UK veterinary profession
• Have clear welfare outcomes

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Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by a board of nine trustees, all from veterinary and animal welfare backgrounds. Key trustees include:

Julian (Chair since approximately 2020): Joined AWF as a trustee in 2016 and served as Deputy Chair from 2019. Graduated from University of Liverpool School of Veterinary Science in 1980 and worked in mixed practice concentrating on livestock.

Chris Laurence (Previous Chair 2016-2020): Served as trustee since 2011.

Liz Mullineaux (Ex-officio Trustee): 1988 Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies graduate with varied career in small and large animal practice. Completed a Clinical Doctorate leading to RCVS Specialist status in Wildlife Medicine (Mammalian).

Charlotte: Associate Professor in Animal Welfare and Behaviour Science, biologist specializing in animal welfare and behaviour.

Justine: Head Vet – Wildlife and Exotics at RSPCA, served as President of the British Veterinary Association in 2021-2022.

Caroline: Chief Veterinary Officer at RSPCA with over 20 years of small animal veterinary experience.

Rob: Qualified as a vet from University College Dublin in 2001, currently responsible for Human Resources portfolio in UK at VetPartners.

Karlien: Edinburgh graduate who worked as a practicing vet before moving into leadership role at Pets at Home, focusing on animal welfare within the pet industry.

No trustees receive remuneration, and the charity has no employees with total benefits over £60,000.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Student Grant Scheme:

• Applications submitted via email to enquiries@animalwelfarefoundation.org.uk
• Application guidelines, FAQs, terms and conditions, and supervisor role descriptions available on the website
• Typically opens in September/October annually
• Deadline usually end of February (e.g., 29 February 2024)
• Applicants advised to review past student project examples and presentations
• Specific resource available on “common mistakes when applying”

Research Call:

• Opens in spring for the following year (e.g., Research Call 2026 opens spring 2026)
• Application details published when the call opens
• Applications submitted according to published guidelines

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly available. For student grants, applications close in late February, suggesting decisions are likely made in spring/early summer to allow project work during summer vacation periods.

Success Rates

Specific success rates and application numbers are not publicly disclosed. However, the Student Grant Scheme typically funds “several projects” from the annual pool of approximately £10,000-£12,000, with individual grants ranging from £500-£5,000.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy or waiting periods are documented publicly. The annual nature of the Student Grant Scheme suggests that unsuccessful applicants could reapply in subsequent years.

Application Success Factors

What AWF Looks For

Student Grant Scheme:

• “Convincing and coherent intent and sound methodology” - applications must demonstrate clear thinking and appropriate research methods
• Clear and achievable plans for dissemination - AWF values projects that will share their findings effectively
• Development of student's research and animal welfare understanding - educational value is weighted heavily
• Addressing current animal welfare issues - relevance to contemporary welfare challenges
• Practical animal welfare impact - projects should have real-world applications

Research Grants:

• “Strong knowledge exchange plan outlined will score highly” - demonstrating how research will be shared and applied
• “Ability to deliver impact” - practical outcomes valued over purely academic contributions
• Relevance to UK veterinary professionals - clear connection to practitioners' work
• Potential for peer-reviewed publication with open access - commitment to sharing knowledge widely

Strategic Advice

1. Review BVA Priority Welfare Problems: AWF specifically recommends reviewing BVA's identified priority animal welfare issues before applying
2. Study Past Projects: AWF maintains examples of previous student presentations and projects - reviewing these provides insight into successful approaches
3. Use Available Resources: AWF provides FAQs, application guidelines, and guidance on common mistakes - using these thoroughly improves application quality
4. Focus on Dissemination: Both grant streams emphasize knowledge sharing and impact beyond the research itself
5. Consider AWF's Delphi Research: AWF has conducted Delphi research on animal welfare issues - aligning with these findings strengthens relevance

Examples of Funded Work

AWF has funded diverse projects across species and settings:

• Companion animals (dogs, rats)
• Farm animals (cattle, pigs)
• Working animals (donkeys)
• Wildlife (rhinos)
• Across UK and international contexts where relevant to UK veterinary practice

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Educational value matters: For student grants, AWF weights the developmental benefit to the student heavily alongside the research merit
• Methodology must be sound: AWF explicitly seeks “convincing and coherent intent and sound methodology” - half-formed ideas are unlikely to succeed
• Think beyond the research: Strong dissemination plans and knowledge exchange strategies distinguish successful applications
• Connect to practice: AWF prioritizes research relevant to practicing veterinarians and allied professionals, not purely academic investigations
• Size your request appropriately: Student grants range £500-£5,000 - match your budget to project scope and demonstrate value for money
• Review available guidance: AWF provides specific resources on common application mistakes - using these demonstrates thoroughness
• Consider the veterinary perspective: As BVA's charity, AWF values the unique position of the veterinary profession in advancing animal welfare

References

1. Animal Welfare Foundation website - Student Grant Scheme.. https://www.animalwelfarefoundation.org.uk/student-grants/

1. Animal Welfare Foundation website - Research Call 2025.. https://www.animalwelfarefoundation.org.uk/research/research-grants/

1. British Veterinary Association - Animal Welfare Foundation overview.. https://www.bva.co.uk/about-us/our-structure/animal-welfare-foundation/

1. Charity Commission for England and Wales - BRITISH VETERINARY ASSOCIATION ANIMAL WELFARE FOUNDATION (Charity Number 1192203).. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5152655/charity-overview

1. BVA News - “Grant applications open for student research projects to improve animal welfare.”. https://www.bva.co.uk/news-and-blog/news-article/grant-applications-open-for-student-research-projects-to-improve-animal-welfare/

1. BVA News - “Animal Welfare Foundation welcomes new Chair.”. https://www.bva.co.uk/news-and-blog/news-article/animal-welfare-foundation-welcomes-new-chair/

1. BVA Animal Welfare Strategy - “A decade of welfare wins, as new priorities unveiled.”. https://www.bva.co.uk/news-and-blog/news-article/bva-animal-welfare-strategy-a-decade-of-welfare-wins-as-new-priorities-unveiled/

1. Animal Welfare Research Network - “Animal Welfare Foundation Student Grants.”. https://awrn.co.uk/2023/10/06/animal-welfare-foundation-student-grants/