The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Animal Care and Wellbeing Grants Fund (ACWGF) supports research and projects improving the care and welfare of animals housed at AZA-accredited institutions. Individual project awards reach up to $20,000, with higher funding available for multi-institutional collaborations.

Eligible Principal Investigators must be AZA members (Professional Associate, Affiliate, Fellow, or Student level) employed by an AZA-accredited facility, or have at least one Co-Investigator meeting this requirement. The 2026 cycle marks the first use of AZA Apply, a new online portal. The application deadline is June 30, 2026, with award notifications expected in November 2026.

Animal Care and Wellbeing Grants Fund Enter your search query in the field below. Click the X to close. Animal Care & Wellbeing Funding Animal Care and Wellbeing Grants Fund Animal Care and Wellbeing Grants Fund The 2026 Animal Care and Wellbeing Grants Fund (ACWGF) call for applications is now open!

The 2026 ACWGF will be the first AZA grant cycle to utilize AZA Apply , a new online portal where all applicants go to apply for AZA grants and scholarships. Complete applications for the 2026 ACWGF must be submitted by 11:59 PM ET (Eastern Time) on June 30, 2026 in AZA Apply .

Applicants will be notified of decisions in November 2026 and all awards must be distributed to the Principal Investigator's facility no later than December 18, 2026. Prospective applicants should review the Grant Fund Priorities , Frequently Asked Questions , Tips for Success , and Selection Process for more information about this funding opportunity. If any questions remain, please contact animalwellbeing@aza.

org. Application & Reporting Materials Applicants can access the full application and materials in AZA Apply . A copy of the 2026 ACWGF materials and templates are also provided below.

2026 Application Preview (coming soon) 2026 ACWGF Budget Templates Staff Training & Education Development Budget Template 2026 ACWGF Statement of Institutional Support 2026 ACWGF Grant Terms and Conditions ACWGF Project Report Template ACWGF Financial Report Template AZA Model Release Form (for photos) To get started, visit AZA Apply to create an account, if one has not already been created.

Once you complete your user registration, click on Apply for the 2026 Animal Care & Wellbeing Grant Fund. The AZA Animal Care and Wellbeing Grants fund supports research projects that increase knowledge about wellbeing in zoo and aquarium animals, and develop new staff education and training opportunities that enable staff to ensure wellbeing of the animals in their care.

Please donate to the AZA Animal Care and Wellbeing Grants fund today and help us reach our goal of $3 million over the next 5 years. View the complete list of projects previously funded by the fund . The Call for Applications opens March 16, 2026.

Complete applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM ET (Eastern Time) on June 30, 2026 in AZA Apply. Applicants will be notified of decisions in November 2026. Awards must be distributed to the Principal Investigator’s facility no later than December 18, 2026.

Competitive proposals are those which: Enhance the lives of animals in AZA-accredited facilities Incorporate high quality science, including solid design and methodology for research projects and the inclusion of evidence-based content in training and education projects Demonstrate shared benefits across AZA-accredited facilities Align with AZA's Strategic Framework for the Wellbeing of Animals Align with AZA Animal Program priorities Applicants will identify if their proposal is to support research or for the creation of new staff training and education development opportunities.

Below are examples of topics that would be appropriate research and staff training and education development proposals. Applications are NOT required to be focused on the topics listed here, but these examples may help applicants identify the category their project falls within: Animal Welfare, Animal Management, or Animal Health.

Applied research that helps to fill knowledge gaps about understudied species is especially needed right now, but projects for all species that are in the care of AZA zoos and aquariums will be considered.

Validation of welfare output measures in welfare assessments Impact of environmental variables on animal wellbeing Effects of choice and control on animal wellbeing Effects of different husbandry and management strategies on animal wellbeing Impact of different population management approaches on animal wellbeing Effects of various nutritional strategies on animal wellbeing Impact of different approaches to quarantine practices Increased understanding of causes and methods of prevention for common diseases and health issues The training and education opportunities developed with grant funds may take form as workshops, online or in-person courses, webinars, other tangible tools and resources, or curriculum development.

This grant program is not a scholarship fund to support participation in existing training opportunities. Rather, it supports the development of new opportunities for learning and skill-building.

Development of training for all zoo and aquarium staff about animal welfare and wellbeing Education focused on conducting welfare assessments, especially for animals that present extra challenges Development of resources that train staff to recognize taxa- or species-specific indicators of welfare (outputs) Developing or holding husbandry workshops, including taxa-specific husbandry techniques Training on animal wellbeing considerations in exhibit design Development of animal management strategies Workshops or courses demonstrating various animal care treatments and techniques Taxa-specific training on nutritional requirements Training on identifying and treating specific health issues If any questions remain, please contact animalwellbeing@aza.

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