Grants & awards
We partner with key scientific and academic organisations globally in order to advance pet care research, share knowledge and support the education of scientists, veterinarians, and human-animal interaction researchers to deliver our purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS We have a number of funding and award opportunities available.
WALTHAM™ Human-Animal Interaction (HAI) Research Programme
For over 40 years, Waltham has supported research from around the world which aims to understand, advance and share knowledge about the relationship between humans and companion animals. Waltham funded research has explored the role of pets in child development, society, educational settings, human aging and many different clinical applications (e.g., obesity, autism). Find out more about the research we have funded previously here.
2023 Research Funding Call
Waltham Petcare Science Institute is calling for applications to fund a high quality innovative research into Human-Animal Interaction (HAI). This grant is part of Waltham’s continued support into high quality, evidence-based research critical to better understanding the beneficial relationship between people and companion animals. The knowledge brought about by this research is vital in bringing to life Mars Petcare’s purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS.
Applications have now closed.
WALTHAM™ Foundation
The WALTHAM™ Foundation is a non-charitable funding mechanism through which Mars Petcare offers grants to advance the understanding in the nutrition, health, behaviour and welfare of companion animals globally.
At Mars Petcare we believe it's important to conduct rigorous research into whether pets make our lives better. As a science driven business, Mars invests in research. The WALTHAM™ Foundation is just one way in which we support key scientific and academic organisations globally to advance research and disseminate knowledge to support our purpose. The vast number of peer-reviewed publications and internationally recognized presentations emanating from this work is a testament to the calibre of the proposals we receive and the quality of the projects we have supported
2021 Funding Application Call
We know that many different scientific disciplines and areas of expertise can contribute to our purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS. For the 2021 funding call, we are inviting applications for projects whose outcomes will contribute to this, rather than constraining the scope by scientific area. Applications from researchers who are in the early stages of their career and passionate about companion animal science are encouraged.
Awards of up to £25,000 are available. The grant may be used for staff costs to support the main researcher. Further details and application form are available below to download.
Applications have now closed. We anticipate announcing the next funding call in 2023.
We had a high number of applications, with 48 proposals from 17 countries. Applications focused on a range of species from dogs to donkeys, and spanned multiple topics, including human-animal interaction and behaviour, clinical studies, diagnostic development, genetics, nutrition, and data science. In total, we conducted three rounds of review that involved 32 technical experts from across Mars Petcare. This year, WALTHAM™ Foundation had funding available for 4 projects. These projects have now been chosen and will be communicated in due course.
Selection Process
All projects must comply with WALTHAM™ ethics, whereby the research must not inflict suffering or result in the euthanasia of the animals involved. All clinical studies must have informed owner consent.
All applications are evaluated by a team of scientists to ensure compliance with our ethical principles, a high standard of science and the outcomes will contribute to the knowledge of and benefit the nutrition, health, behaviour or welfare of companion animals (including horses). We encourage researchers to share the results of studies funded as broadly as possible, for example, through appropriate conferences and symposia.
Application Documents
These will be shared here when the grant call is open.
Nutrition presentation student awards
Each year, Waltham offers an award to the best student presentation at the annual ESVCN (European Society of Veterinary & Comparative Nutrition) and AAVN (American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition) Congresses.
