CVM’s internal seed grant programs are designed to spark innovative research, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and help faculty generate the preliminary data needed for future external funding. Additionally, dedicated trainee grants support residents, graduate students, and postdoctoral associates in building critical research skills and establishing clear pathways for career advancement.
Whether you're launching a bold new idea or building momentum for a larger proposal, these programs provide critical early-stage support across all career levels to move your research forward. Inquiries: mt333@cornell.edu.
View Active Internal Grant Opportunities
Programs
Harry M. Zweig Memorial Fund for Equine Research
Letter of Intent Due (optional): April
New, Revised, Comp. Renewal Applications Due: August
Notification of Award: December
Award Start Date: January
The Zweig Committee distributes available funds annually in a competitive grant process to Cornell researchers. Equine research grants have included: investigation into causes and possible cures for equine respiratory conditions and disease, colic in foals, embryonic stem cell and regenerative tissue studies, and mapping the horse genome. The program awards up to $125,000 annually for one- and two-year projects.
Read more about the Harry M. Zweig Memorial Fund For EQUINE RESEARCH program
Cornell Feline Health Center Research Grants Program
New, Revised, Comp. Renewal Applications Due: February
Notification of Award: June
Award Start Date: July
This program promotes the study of health issues that directly affect feline welfare. Grants are awarded on the basis of scientific merit, feasibility of the proposed project, and potential for impact of the project on feline health, among other aspects. The program awards up to $100,000 annually for one- and two-year projects. To discuss programmatic goals, contact Dr. Bruce Kornreich, Director of the Cornell Feline Health Center.
Read more about the CORNELL Feline Health Center
Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center Research Grants Program
New, Revised, Comp. Renewal Applications Due: January
Notification of Award: June
Award Start Date: July
This program promotes the study of health issues that directly affect canine welfare. Grants are awarded on the basis of scientific merit, feasibility of the proposed project, and potential for impact of the project on canine health, among other aspects. The program awards up to $100,000 for one-year projects. To discuss programmatic goals, contact Dr. Rory Todhunter, director of the Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center.
Read more about the CORNELL RICHARD P. RINEY Canine Health Center
Research Grants Program in Animal Health
New, Revised, Comp. Renewal Applications Due: April
Notification of Award: August
Award Start Date: October
This program provides funding for research addressing animal health, veterinary medicine, and related public health challenges. The program is open to CVM researchers and awards up to $50,000 for one-year projects.
Canine, equine, and feline studies are supported exclusively by the Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center Research Grants Program, the Harry M. Zweig Memorial Fund for Equine Research, and the Cornell Feline Health Center Research Grants Program, respectively. Proposals in these areas will not be considered for Research in Animal Health funding.
Judith Appleton Ph.D. Early Career Excellence in Research Award
Applications Due: January
Notification of Award: March
Award Start Date: January (retroactive)
This invitation-only program provides support to an early-career assistant professor at a critical stage in their research growth. The program awards a minimum of $300,000, disbursed at approximately $100,000 per year over three years, to expand research capacity by supporting new personnel, laboratory instrumentation, and necessary supplies.
Resident Research Grants Program
New, Revised Applications Due: March (Spring), September (Fall)
Notification of Award: May (Spring), December (Fall)
Award Start Date: June (Spring), January (Fall)
Offered twice a year, this program supports research projects for residents at the College of Veterinary Medicine. Residents, together with a CVM faculty mentor or multiple mentors, are eligible to apply for up to $10,000 to support short-term projects up to one year in length.
Graduate Scholarship Program
New, Revised Applications Due: October
Notification of Award: December
Award Start Date: January
This program provides financial resources to support graduate students at the College of Veterinary Medicine, enabling students to focus on executing their research and strengthening their overall research training. The program awards up to $20,000 for a one-year period, dedicated strictly to stipend, tuition, and health insurance support.
Postdoctoral Innovation Award
New, Revised Applications Due: October
Notification of Award: December
Award Start Date: January
This program is designed to empower high-potential postdoctoral fellows and research associates to pursue bold, high-risk, high-reward breakthroughs. The award provides the resources to foster a research niche independent of the faculty mentor's currently funded research aims, effectively accelerating their transition to an independent academic career. The program awards one-year grants up to $10,000 for first-time awards and up to $5,000 for renewal awards.
Equipment Grant Program
New, Revised Applications Due: March
Notification of Award: May
Award Start Date: June
This program supports faculty research activities at the College of Veterinary Medicine through the acquisition of instrumentation or other shareable resources. The program is open to CVM researchers and awards up to $50,000 per equipment grant.
College Research Council
The College Research Council oversees the procedures, requirements and funding obligations of the college’s internal grants programs, with the guidance of the associate dean for research and graduate education. Members are tenured or senior research faculty and are appointed based on their area of expertise.