UFAW Funding Frequently Asked Questions
Before applying to UFAW for funding please carefully read the following frequently asked questions which should help you decide whether your application falls within our remit.
1. What does UFAW fund? UFAW’s purpose is to support science which is in the service of animal welfare. We fund research and other activities which help to understand and/or ameliorate challenges to the welfare of animals. We are interested in the welfare of all animal species where they are affected by humankind including farm, zoo, companion, laboratory and wild or feral animals. Please see below (section 2: what won’t UFAW fund?) for more information on our approach to the welfare of wild animals.
We will also consider funding projects to improve understanding of animal welfare through education, training or travel to scientific meetings etc. Please see section 3 below for details of individual schemes.
For all applications costs should be reasonable. In the case of travel the most economical class of travel or accommodation should normally be used, and for research we will only pay the primary costs of the research - we do not usually fund overheads or infrastructure costs etc.
Our sister charity, the Humane Slaughter Association (www.hsa.org.uk) funds research into the transport and slaughter of livestock species and any research proposals in these areas may be best directed to the HSA.
2. What won’t UFAW fund? Although we think species conservation is admirable we won’t fund work where the sole aim is conservation. UFAW is concerned with the welfare of animals when it is affected by humankind, so work which reduces animal suffering whilst also addressing conservation issues may be supported but a clear case for how the work benefits animal welfare must be made. We do not generally fund work which has already taken place or is already wholly funded by another body, and are unlikely to fund travel to attend scientific or other meetings where the applicant is not actively participating (by giving a presentation, for example).Where a project forms part of a student’s compulsory coursework we would normally expect the host institution to support such projects in their entirety and any application to fund such work would need to clearly justify why this was not possible and indicate what contribution the institution is making.
3. What schemes are available? The following schemes are open and can be applied for at any time. Please use the specific application forms available for each scheme.
- Small Project and Travel Awards
- Up to £3500 for travel or small research projects.
- Research and Project Awards
- Research projects in excess of £3500.
- UFAW SAWI fund for animal welfare research in Israel.
- Funds research into animal welfare carried out within Israel.
The schemes below are opened periodically and have specific application deadlines and criteria which will be advertised when calls are announced. Applications for these schemes are not accepted outside these dates.
- UFAW Animal Welfare Research Award (up to £50,000) To support innovative research in animal welfare science.
- Animal Welfare Student Scholarships (including the Ruth Harrison Student Scholarship). Awarded annually, applications due late February each year.
- Short projects carried out by undergraduate students (typically in the vacation), providing weekly subsistence for the student for up to 8 weeks.
- Research Training Scholarships
- PhD (or equivalent) studentships
- 3Rs Studentships (Not currently accepting applications)
- Hume Animal Welfare Research Fellowships (Not currently accepting applications)
- Professor William Russell Research Fellowship (Not currently accepting applications)
4. How do you decide what to fund? Grant applications are judged on their importance for animal welfare, their scientific and other merits, and value for money. To assist us in our assessment, it is very helpful if applications include an estimate of the number of animals affected and the severity of the impacts upon their welfare which the project addresses. Applications are also assessed in relation to other applications received in the same time period. Account is taken of the quality and potential of applicants. UFAW also endeavours to promote long-term capacity building in science-based animal welfare around the world Consideration also has to be given to any banking or fiscal restrictions that could impede the transfer of a grant. UFAW’s small and large project grant schemes are open to any applicant, worldwide. However, some schemes – such as the Student Scholarships or Research Training Scholarship – may only be open to academic institutions which are members of the UFAW LINK scheme, of which there are over 120 in five different continents. Further information is available at the website about the various prize and grant awards.
5. Where do you fund work? UFAW is an international charity and will fund work anywhere in the world where useful animal welfare research can be carried out – applications are welcome from researchers based in any country. However, some schemes such as the Student Scholarships or Research Training Scholarship are only open to academic institutions which are members of the UFAW LINK scheme – see https://www.ufaw.org.uk/links for a current list.
6. How much funding can I apply for under the research grants scheme? This is difficult to answer as available funds vary. UFAW’s funds for research are limited so it is rare that we can fund very large projects, and typically when such funds are available this will be announced in separate funding calls. However, we do not set limits on what can be applied for under the research grant scheme. Sometimes we will offer an amount less than that requested. In such cases we may stipulate that our funding is contingent upon the applicant finding the rest of the money required to fund the project from another source.
7. How quickly will I receive a response? For open application schemes such as small grants and travel awards, we try to consider applications as quickly as possible upon receipt. Please make sure that we receive the application in sufficient time before the scheduled start of the work to be covered by the grant to allow us time to read and consider your application. For applications with a deadline such as student scholarships we will publish an estimated timeline for responses.
8. Can I have feedback on my application? UFAW cannot provide detailed feedback or reasons for rejection of applications.
9. If my application is successful how will the money be paid? Funds are normally paid in GBP sterling, by cheque. Arrangements can be made to transfer funds electronically, however any costs associated with this must be met by the recipients. Please note that funds can only be transferred into an account bearing the applicant’s name (in the case of student scholarships/travel awards etc) or the name of the institution which will administer the award. Payment cannot be issued to third parties.
If you require further information please contact us at grants@ufaw.org.uk or telephone +44 (0)1582 831818.
