Grant Proposals

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Everyone seems to be busy at the University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center, and I'd assume at many other institutions, writing equine grants for various organizations such as the Grayson Jockey Club Foundation, American Quarter Horse Association and Morris Animal Foundation. The deadline for the grants is in the fall each year.

I am sure most of these granting organizations are going to receive far more high-quality grants than they are able to fund. This is always a difficult decision for the scientific advisory board to be able to rank the grants and decide which are of highest priority. It is unfortunate there are only a small number of organizations that provide funding for equine research. The majority of equine research is probably supported by funds from private individuals who have philantrophic tendencies and donate money to universities. Unfortunately, as we are all aware, the overall economy, as well as the equine economy, has impacted the amount of disposable income that is available for funding research.

I believe the Thoroughbred industry, for example, is undergoing a major restructuring in which the low sale prices are impacting the future of many horse farms. It is likely this same trend is occurring in many of the other breeds.

As I have mentioned in previous editorials, it is in difficult times that we should sharpen our skills. For example, it would be a good time to conduct research in collaborations with other colleagues within your institution and colleagues at other universities. On a positive note, it seems like investigators within a certain disciple are willing to collaborate with other scientists, thus providing the best return on research dollar investments.

Ed Squires

Editor, JEVS