Since 2020, the Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) has supported research that furthers the current understanding of the human-animal bond via several rounds of pump-priming awards. These awards provide funding of up to £10,000 for 12-month projects that are aligned with SCAS objectives and clearly demonstrate how funding will enable development of ongoing research. 

Applications are evaluated by the SCAS review board made up of experts in the field who also consider input from a lay advisory panel of SCAS members. Decisions on whether to fund applications are made based on links to SCAS objectives, quality of study design, experience of the team, potential for impact, value for money, and potential to further the understanding of the human-animal bond.

Acknowledgements: SCAS would like to thank the legacy donors who made this funding possible, the lay panel members who contributed to the review process, reviewers, the research working group, and the SCAS Board.

Future calls for funding applications

Calls are announced depending on available funds and typically open in January-March of the funding year and are expected to start in September of the same year. SCAS members will be notified when the next call is opening (join here) and announcements made here and on social media (follow us on Facebook, BlueSky, Twitter, and LinkedIn).