Apply for an ACAHF Veterinary Research Grant

Applications are now open for the prestigious Australian Companion Animal Health Foundation (ACAHF) Research Grants.

Each year, ACAHF offers grants of up to $15,000 per project to support research into the causes, prevention and cure of diseases in companion animals, principally cats and dogs.

In 2025, for the first time in the organisation’s 36-year history, ACAHF awarded a milestone $100,000 in grant funding for veterinary research – with recipients from Murdoch University, the University of Sydney, the University of Adelaide and the University of Melbourne. Over the past ten years, ACAHF has awarded 65 grants totalling $565,351.

Director Dr Garth McGilvray is one of 7 ACAHF Directors who oversee the Foundation and its national Research Committee, which is responsible for assessing all applications.

^{Dr Garth McGilvray, ACAHF Director, AVA Conference}

“Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world, and funding for this type of research is typically not available from government or university funding bodies. ACAHF’s support for clinically related research is critical to advancing our understanding of the causes, treatment, and prevention of companion animal diseases,” Dr McGilvray shared.

Research funded by ACAHF is wide-ranging and selected for its direct benefit to companion animals. Some examples include investigations into arthritis, heart disease, diabetes and cancer that focus on a better understanding of the basic disorder and therefore lead to improved methods of treatment and prevention.

A recent grant recipient, Dr Alex Balmanno from the University of Queensland, was awarded funding to investigate whether the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) firocoxib could be developed as an effective topical medicine for canine patients who may find oral medicines unpalatable.

Dr Balmanno encourages veterinarians to pursue their research, noting “It’s definitely a wonderful source of funding and has helped turned many great veterinary research projects into reality!” _{(Companion Magazine, Q4 2024)}

Established in 1989 as a non-profit trust of the AVA, the Foundation is supported through donations from veterinarians, companies associated with the pet industry, pet owners and animal lovers. All donations tax-deductible.

Application details

Applications are assessed and ranked by an expert research committee. Preference is given to veterinary applicants who are ASAV members, and the grants can fund the direct costs of research but not overheads.

Applicants from universities or other institutions must ensure that their applications are approved by their relevant institutional ethics committee.

Applications close Monday 2 February 2026.

Successful applicants must provide a half-yearly progress report and a completion report.

To learn more and apply, visit: https://acahf.org/grant-application/

^{Dr Jully Gogoi Tiwari from Murdoch University received an ACAHF research grant in 2024 for her research into canine ear infections.}