Fund your research projects with AO VET grants!

AO VET/ARI Collaborative Research Grant and AO VET Seed Grants are two exciting opportunities for researchers in the field of veterinary orthopaedics and now are accepting applications till April 30, 2025. Both grants aim to support innovative research projects that will contribute to the advancement of musculoskeletal science in animals.

AO VET/ARI Collaborative Research Grants 2025 (Project start 2026)

This grant is a unique opportunity for AO VET members actively pursuing musculoskeletal science research to get their projects funded. It is meant to support general research and surgery-related clinical research that will be undertaken completely or in part at the AO Research Institute Davos (ARI).

Grants are available to veterinarians, also to surgery residents who are encouraged to apply in collaboration with a more senior colleague.

Projects should relate to unanswered questions in veterinary and/or comparative orthopedics, and the methods to be used should be aligned with ARI resources and expertise. Available funds are limited, and investigators are advised that proposed annual budgets should not exceed CHF 35,000 for a period of up to 12 months. It is anticipated that up to two awards will be granted in the 2026 funding cycle.

The funds can only be used for the component of research completed in its entirety at ARI in Davos. One investigator per funded project has the opportunity to visit ARI in Davos, Switzerland, for a 2-week Research Traveling Fellowship to share knowledge and meet and network with many people with the same interest. The scholarship covers the travel and accommodation expenses for a visit of up to 2 weeks in Davos.

Who can apply?

Eligibility

The principal investigator must be an active, paid-up member of AO VET at the time of grant submission.

Grants are also available to surgery residents who are encouraged to apply in collaboration with a more senior colleague. Grant recipients are encouraged to actively participate in the physical completion of the study at ARI. Alternatively, they may ask collaborators at ARI to complete the research on their behalf while remaining actively engaged in carrying the research to its completion. Assistance in identifying suitable ARI collaborators as well as information regarding the feasibility of your study is offered by Dr Stephan Zeiter: stephan.zeiter@aofoundation.org, the ARI representative to the AO VET Research and Development Commission. 

AO VET Seed Grants 2025 (Project start 2026)

The AO VET Research and Development Commission invites proposals in the wide range of research fields, including unconventional and novel projects. While there is no specific restriction on the area of research, projects should address topics that are relevant to the clinical practice of veterinary orthopaedics.
AO VET Seed Grants program aims to assist in the training of future leaders in veterinary orthopaedics. Applicants must be AO members and veterinarians who are currently pursuing research in musculoskeletal science. The proposal must include specific details of a mentoring plan for ensuring appropriate supervision and training of the applicant.
The funding will be for a maximum of CHF 7,500.00 over 12 months. Funds may be used to cover research consumables and attendance at one national or international conference.

Who can apply?

Eligibility criteria for the principal investigator

This call is open to investigators from all AO clinical divisions—AO VET, AO Trauma, AO Spine and AO CMF—who are younger than 40 years old and: 

• Within five years of the completion of their terminal degree (eg, MD, DVM, PhD, etc), or 
• Within five years of initiation of their first assistant professor position at an academic institution, or 
• Enrolled in residency programs or fellowships

They must work with an established investigator (Assistant Professor or above) at the same institution and the proposal must include specific details of a mentoring plan for ensuring appropriate supervision and training of the applicant.