Humane Slaughter Association

Charity Number: 1159690

Annual Expenditure: £0.4M
Geographic Focus: Brazil, China, New Zealand, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Scotland ... [1 more]

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £388,000 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Applications reviewed on rolling basis (apply at least 2 months before project start)
  • Grant Range: £750 - £10,000 (Research/Project/Travel Grants); up to £3,600 (Student Scholarships)
  • Geographic Focus: International (UK-based charity supporting projects worldwide)

Contact Details

  • Website: www.hsa.org.uk
  • Email: info@hsa.org.uk / grants@hsa.org.uk (for grant enquiries)
  • Phone: 01582 831919
  • Address: The Old School, Brewhouse Hill, Wheathampstead, Herts AL4 8AN, UK
  • Charity Number: 1159690

Overview

Founded in 1911, the Humane Slaughter Association (HSA) is the only UK registered charity working exclusively to improve the welfare of food animals during transport, marketing, slaughter, and killing for disease control purposes, both in the UK and internationally. Operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, HSA had a total income of £388,071 in 2024. The charity relies entirely on donations, subscriptions, and legacies, with no trustees receiving remuneration. HSA's strategic approach focuses on scientific research, education, and technical advances to achieve the highest worldwide standards of welfare for livestock “beyond the farm gate.” The charity has made significant strides in recent years, including awarding £1.93 million in 2024 for its largest-ever research programme focused on fish, crustacean, and cephalopod welfare—a clear indication of its expanding scope beyond traditional livestock species.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Research, Project & Travel Grants: £750 - £10,000

Rolling basis applications accepted year-round (apply at least 2 months before project start). Supports research costs, training programmes, scientific/technical meetings, conference travel expenses, and research/study visits. Work can focus on any farmed food species, including farmed fish and other aquatic species. Projects must address welfare during marketing, transport, slaughter, or emergency killing.

Dorothy Sidley Memorial Scholarships: Up to £3,600

Annual scholarship for undergraduate/MSc students or industry trainees (PhD students ineligible). Provides £350/week subsistence (to student) plus £100/week project expenses (to host institution) for up to 8 weeks. Applications open September/October with deadline of 28 February annually. Projects typically run during summer vacation (July-September).

Major Research Initiatives

HSA periodically offers larger funding opportunities for specific research priorities. Recent example: £1.7+ million available for improving welfare of farmed finfish, decapod crustaceans, and coleoid cephalopods during slaughter.

Priority Areas

  • Humane slaughter methods and stunning techniques
  • Animal welfare during transport
  • Welfare conditions in livestock markets
  • Emergency killing for disease control and welfare purposes
  • Development of welfare assessment tools and monitoring equipment
  • Training and capacity building in animal welfare science
  • International welfare standards improvement

What They Don't Fund

  • Propaganda, campaigning, or attempts to influence legislation
  • Indirect costs including university overheads
  • Salaries of tenured staff or those funded by other sources
  • Research on companion animals or wildlife (focus is exclusively on farmed food animals)
  • Projects addressing on-farm welfare (focus is “beyond the farm gate”)
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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Emma-Louise Singh (Chair) - Fundraising specialist with 17+ years' experience across trusts, foundations, corporate, and community fundraising. Founded Nova Fundraising & Associates Ltd in 2017.

David R Sargan (Deputy Chair) - Senior lecturer at University of Cambridge, Department of Veterinary Medicine, specializing in inherited disease genetics.

Corrie L McCann (Honorary Treasurer) - Director of Operations at Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons; Chartered Accountant with charity and commercial sector experience.

The 13-member board includes animal welfare scientists, agricultural economists, veterinary specialists, and communications professionals. Trusteeship is vested in the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) Council.

Senior Staff

Dr Huw Golledge (Chief Executive & Scientific Director) - PhD in neuroscience, former Home Office Animals in Science Committee member.

Dr Birte L Nielsen (Research Director) - Three decades of animal welfare research experience, former President of the International Society for Applied Ethology (ISAE).

Charles Mason (Technical Director) - With HSA since 1988; Churchill Fellow 1990; extensive agricultural background.

Liz Carter (Research and Grant Support Manager) - Churchill Fellow with MSc in Animal Behaviour and Welfare.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Research, Project & Travel Grants:

  • Application form downloadable from www.hsa.org.uk/grants-awards/grants
  • Submit at least 2 months before project start or registration deadline
  • Contact grants@hsa.org.uk for enquiries
  • Applications accepted on rolling basis year-round

Dorothy Sidley Memorial Scholarships:

  • Online application form opens September/October annually
  • Deadline: 28 February each year
  • Requires CV, supervisor information, and detailed project proposal
  • Next deadline: 28 February 2026

Decision Timeline

Applications reviewed on rolling basis. Apply at least 2 months before project start date. Specific decision timelines not publicly disclosed but applicants can contact HSA for guidance on individual applications.

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages not publicly disclosed. However, the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has received approximately 40% of all HSA grants over the last five years, suggesting institutions with strong track records in animal welfare science have significant success.

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated. Applicants are encouraged to contact grants@hsa.org.uk to discuss unsuccessful applications and potential for resubmission.

Application Success Factors

Assessment Criteria

Applications are assessed on:

  1. Importance for animal welfare - Projects must clearly demonstrate potential to improve welfare outcomes
  2. Scientific and other merits - Strong methodological approach and feasibility
  3. Skills of the applicant - Demonstrated capability to deliver the project
  4. Geographic context - Account taken of circumstances in applicant's country “with a view to long-term capacity building in science-based animal welfare around the world”

Recently Funded Projects (Examples)

  • Improving chicken welfare during transport in Malawi (replacing traditional methods with welfare-friendly crates)
  • CCTV studies in US slaughterhouses
  • Livestock transport emergency training DVD production
  • Modified atmosphere stunning equipment development for poultry
  • Electrical stunning research on sea bass
  • Welfare of sheep during sea transport
  • Captive-bolt stunning of alpacas

Language and Terminology

HSA consistently uses the phrase “beyond the farm gate” to describe their focus area. Applications should demonstrate understanding of:

  • Transport welfare challenges
  • Marketing/livestock market conditions
  • Slaughter and stunning methods
  • Emergency killing protocols
  • Evidence-based, scientific approaches

Standing Out

  • International perspective: HSA values global capacity building. Projects from under-resourced regions or developing countries receive special consideration.
  • Practical application: Projects should demonstrate clear pathways to improving welfare in practice, not just theoretical research.
  • Innovation in methods: Development of new techniques, equipment, or assessment tools is particularly valued.
  • Cross-sector collaboration: Partnerships between academics and industry practitioners are encouraged.
  • Aquatic species: Growing focus on fish, crustacean, and cephalopod welfare presents emerging opportunities.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Proposing advocacy or lobbying activities (explicitly excluded)
  • Including indirect costs or overheads (not eligible)
  • Focusing on on-farm welfare rather than transport/marketing/slaughter
  • Insufficient detail on how project will improve welfare outcomes
  • Unrealistic timelines or budgets

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Scope specificity is critical: Projects must address welfare during transport, marketing, slaughter, or emergency killing—not on-farm welfare. Use HSA's terminology “beyond the farm gate” to demonstrate alignment.
  • Think globally: HSA actively seeks to build international capacity in animal welfare science. Projects in developing countries or under-resourced regions receive favorable consideration.
  • Evidence-based approach: Scientific rigor matters. Applications should demonstrate sound methodology and feasibility, with clear welfare outcomes.
  • Consider aquatic species: HSA's recent £1.93 million investment in fish, crustacean, and cephalopod welfare research signals a major priority area with potentially less competition than traditional livestock projects.
  • Plan ahead: Apply at least 2 months before your project start date. Rolling applications mean you can submit when ready, but adequate lead time is essential.
  • Contact before applying: HSA staff (grants@hsa.org.uk) are available to discuss project ideas. Early engagement can help refine proposals and confirm eligibility.
  • Build track record: The RVC's 40% success rate suggests that institutions with established animal welfare credentials have strong success. Consider partnerships if your institution is new to this field.

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References