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Three Research Funding Opportunities for 2026

Sat, 22 Nov 2025 00:25:00 GMT

Three Funding Opportunities for 2026

Pre-proposal Submissions

DEADLINE: JANUARY 9, 2026 11:59PM EST

2026 Avian Research Call for Pre-Proposals

AAV is pleased to announce three avian research funding opportunities available this year. Please view the details below for each opportunity.

Pre-proposals for research projects addressing clinical aspects of captive bird health (companion and zoological species) are now being accepted for consideration for funding by the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV). Areas of interest include, but are not limited to: diagnostic testing, disease treatment, drug pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, and practice management. Preference will be given to grant submissions relating to avian species traditionally kept as companions or to projects in which the major findings are relevant to companion species, however strong proposals relating only to zoological species will also be considered. For the purposes of this grant, companion birds are defined as “species normally maintained in or near the household of the owner or person who cares for such animals” and can include companion poultry and species used for falconry. Grants are limited to $10,000.00 US for individual projects.

Details about the grant and Call for Pre-proposal application are available at the link below.

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For 2026, a special grant of up to $20,000 is available for projects related to pet birds. This funding is made possible by a donation from Harrison’s Bird Foods. Projects focused on the following topics are of particular interest:

Effects of diet on avian health and wellness
Behavioral and environmental factors influencing avian nutrition
Impact of nutrition on avian reproduction and growth
And other nutrition-related projects

This funding, in line with Harrison's dedication to bird welfare, will support veterinary professionals and researchers in pursuing innovative approaches to critical avian health challenges. The AAV is deeply grateful to Harrison’s Bird Foods for this generous contribution, which will significantly enhance our ability to fund impactful avian health initiatives.

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Pre-proposals for research projects addressing wild bird health are now being accepted for consideration for funding by the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV). Projects of interest include but are not limited to epidemiology of disease in wild populations, ecotoxicology, diagnostic testing and treatment of wild birds, and conservation medicine. Grants are limited to $5,000.00 US for individual projects.

Details about the grant and Call for Pre-proposal application are available at the link below.

Learn More

Association of Avian Veterinarians Announces 2025 Avian and Wild Bird Health Grant Recipients

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 01:19:00 GMT

Association of Avian Veterinarians Announces 2025 Avian and Wild Bird Health Grant Recipients

Expanded 2025 funding made possible by member donations, auction proceeds, and a generous sponsorship from Harrison’s Bird Foods

Watkinsville, GA — The Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV) is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2025 Avian Health Research Grants. AAV has awarded more than $27,700 in competitive research funding this year, made possible by increased support through AAV member donations, proceeds from the AAV Annual Auction, and a generous sponsorship from Harrison’s Bird Foods,

Grant proposals were reviewed and scored through AAV’s established, independent peer-review process, and final selections were made by the AAV Research and Conservation Committees. Funding is awarded to support scientific investigations that address critical clinical and conservation needs in avian medicine.

Four 2025 grant recipients include:

AAV Avian Health Grant – Sponsored by Harrison’s Bird Foods
Claire Vergneau-Grosset, DMV, IPSAV, CES, Dipl ACZM
Université de Montréal, Department of Clinical Sciences, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
$9,959
Project: Pharmacokinetics of robenacoxib in orange-winged Amazon parrots

AAV Avian Health Grant
Cassandra Rodenbaugh, DVM
University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine, Urbana, IL
$4,999
Project: Evaluation of benefits and feasibility of low-dose radiation to treat pododermatitis in chickens

AAV Avian Health Grant
Olivia A. Petritz, DVM, DACZM
North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC
$8,730
Project: Evaluation of the safety of repeated topical administration of imiquimod in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Wild Bird Health Grant
Stephany Lewis, DVM, CWR, DABVP (Avian Practice)
University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, Urbana, IL
$4,050
Project: Effects of anticoagulant rodenticide exposure on viscoelastic coagulation profiles in free-ranging raptors

“These grants are an investment in the future of avian health, and a reflection of our members’ dedication to advancing the profession,” said Dr. Jennifer Graham, AAV President. “We’re especially grateful for the support of our donors and sponsors—including Harrison’s Bird Foods—for helping make this year’s expanded funding possible. Every research project we support brings new tools, treatments, or understanding that ultimately benefits birds in all settings.”

The AAV Research Grant Program is a cornerstone of the association’s mission to promote excellence in avian medicine, stewardship, and welfare. Grant applications for 2026 will open later this year.

For more information, visit: https://www.aav.org/schol_grant_award

Harrison’s Bird Foods Donates $25,000 to the Association of Avian Veterinarians for Grant Support

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 21:55:00 GMT

PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT INFORMATION:

HBD International, Inc.

Dana O’Donoghue, CEO

800-346-0269

dana@harrisonsbirdfoods.com

RELEASE DATE:

October 22, 2024

Harrison’s Bird Foods Donates $25,000 to the Association of Avian Veterinarians for Grant Support

Brentwood, TN, October 2024 — Harrison’s Bird Foods, a leader in certified organic, non-GMO bird nutrition, is pleased to announce a donation of $25,000 to the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV). The donation will fund grants focused on advancing avian health, supporting research and clinical efforts that benefit bird welfare.

For over 40 years, Harrison’s Bird Foods has been committed to improving the lives of pet and wild birds through high-quality, organic diets formulated with veterinarians' expertise. “Supporting avian health through innovative research aligns with our mission to nourish birds, not just through nutrition but also through medical advancements,” said a representative from Harrison’s Bird Foods.

Founded in 1980, the AAV plays a critical role in promoting excellence in avian medicine through education, research, and professional development for veterinarians. This grant will empower veterinary professionals and researchers to explore new solutions to pressing avian health challenges. "This incredible contribution will directly support avian health research and will enable AAV to provide additional research funding this year," said Jennifer Graham, President of the AAV.

Harrison’s Bird Foods encourages other industry leaders to join them in supporting the veterinary and research community. If you’re interested in applying, completed pre-proposals (two-page form only) are due by 11:59 PM EST on December 1, 2024, with final proposals invited around March 1, 2025. For information on this as well as other AAV grant opportunities, click here. The AAV will select and announce the grant recipients at a later date.

For more information on Harrison’s Bird Foods, visit harrisonsbirdfoods.com. To learn more about the Association of Avian Veterinarians and its programs, visit aav.org.

Media Contacts:

Harrison’s Bird Foods

Dana O’Donoghue, CEO

dana@harrisonsbirdfoods.com

800-346-0269

Association of Avian Veterinarians

Elizabeth Mackey, DVM, Executive Director

emackey@aav.org or office@aav.org

720-458-4111

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