The Hong Kong Jockey Club Equine Welfare Research Foundation will open its online portal for fresh applications for research funding between 1st December 2023 and 31st January 2024.

The Foundation’s objectives are to encourage and to fund scientific research into matters that impact the quality of life of the Thoroughbred racehorse. We have engaged with relevant stakeholders to determine issues that are of greatest concern to those responsible for caring for the racehorse, while in training and after retirement from racing, and we hope to receive proposals that specifically address these issues, which are encapsulated in our list of Priority Research Topics.

One of our four grant schemes (Research Training Scholarships) is specifically designed to support young colleagues as they embark on a research career in a field related to horse welfare. This round we will extend the duration over which these grants are awarded from three to four years. We hope that this will make them more versatile to support PhD students in different countries around the world.

Our Small Research Grants have been developed to fund colleagues who work outside of academic institutions. We encourage applications for these awards by anyone who has an idea or a question which they wish to investigate that may impact horse welfare. Quality science remains at the heart of the Foundation’s decisions to fund and so we do encourage applicants to get advice from experienced scientists where necessary.

Anyone considering making an application is welcome to contact the Foundation directly to discuss questions that they may have about their application, or technical issues associated with the submission process. Please send an email to grants@hkjcequinewelfare.org.hk and June or Chris will get back to you as soon as possible.