The Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF), a charity supported by the British Veterinary Association (BVA), has opened its Student Grant Scheme for applications.
This initiative is designed to fund student-led research projects aimed at improving animal welfare, with grants available for students studying veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing, animal welfare studies, agricultural sciences, zoology, and social sciences.
The AWF Student Grant Scheme offers undergraduate students the chance to conduct short research projects that contribute to their academic and professional development, while also building scientific knowledge around key animal welfare issues in the UK. Previous recipients of this grant have received funding ranging from £500 to £5,000, enabling them to explore important welfare topics relevant to managed animals.
Ellie Miller, a 2022 grant recipient, used her funding to research pain in calves and the decision-making processes of farmers regarding treatment. Reflecting on the experience, she said: “This project was a fantastic opportunity to deepen my understanding of undertaking research and has allowed me to learn more about a topic I am passionate about, developing my understanding about animal welfare issues. I have found the whole experience fascinating and it has made me even more excited about becoming a farm vet.” Her AWF-funded research also won her the 2023 RCVS “Fellows of the Future” competition.
AWF Secures £12,000 Grant for 2024 Projects
For the 2024 grant round, AWF has secured £12,000 from the Benefact Group’s Movement for Good large grant scheme. This funding will be used to support a variety of student-led projects, ensuring that students can engage with hands-on research while contributing to the evidence base around animal welfare challenges.
Chair of AWF, Julian Kupfer, highlighted the importance of this opportunity: “This is a fantastic opportunity for students to engage with scientific research and gain hands-on experience whilst furthering their understanding of animal welfare. This will help them to develop essential skills for their professional careers as well as creating valuable evidence and research for the animal welfare sector to reflect upon and learn from.”
The AWF Student Grant Scheme has been supporting research since 2016, and to date, has invested over £85,000 in student projects. These projects have tackled a wide range of topics, from the use of enrichment feeding with pet dogs to the relationship between habitat biodiversity and donkey welfare. The research outcomes directly contribute to improving care standards for managed animals in the UK.
Empowering Future Animal Welfare Advocates
The funding provided by the Benefact Group plays a critical role in continuing AWF’s mission to support emerging animal welfare advocates. AWF Manager, Erika Singh, emphasised the significance of this support: “We are incredibly grateful to the Benefact Group for this generous grant. Robust scientific evidence is needed to address the many welfare issues faced by animals today. This funding ensures we can keep supporting students to make a real difference in addressing the challenges animals face and help build a strong pool of future animal welfare advocates, whose work is rooted in science.”
The AWF Student Grant Scheme encourages students to develop essential research skills while tackling real-world issues affecting animal welfare. As an independent charity, AWF relies on donations and grants like this to empower future professionals who can influence and improve the sector.
Students interested in applying for the AWF Student Grant Scheme are encouraged to submit their proposals by Friday, 28 February 2024. For more information, including application guidelines and terms, students can also visit the AWF website at: AWF Student Grants.
