1. How do I apply for a grant?
All applicants must complete the Cover Sheet form and Project Details form as the first step.  Both can be accessed by going to our Grants page on our website, or clicking the blue link at the end of FAQ.  You will receive an automatic e-mail confirmation upon receipt of your grant application.  You will be notified by e-mail within three weeks of your submission if Paws To People is willing to consider your proposal or if it has been declined.  If your proposal is considered, further instructions and/or information may be sent to you.
2. When I submit my electronic grant application should I send a hard copy as well?
Yes, please send a hard copy by mail.  See Question 21 for our mailing address, or go to our Contact Us page on our website.
3. Who is eligible to apply for a grant?
We award grant funding to organizations, universities, veterinary clinics, hospitals, or individuals in the United States of America.  Unfortunately, at this time, we offer no funding for those outside of the USA.
4. What is the purpose of your grant program and what does it fund?
Paws To People feels very strongly about the potential benefits that translational research will bring in healing pets and humans of catastrophic diseases  To that end, the purpose of our grant program is to generate awareness and funds to support Translational Study research.

The similarities and resemblances of many diseases that occur in both animals and humans are so numerous that the diseases are virtually identical.  With the advent of modern technology like MRIs and the complete mapping of both the human and canine genome, it is apparent that the disease processes are also the same.  In other words, for example, cancer is cancer – not human cancer or dog cancer or ferret cancer – cancer is simply, cancer.

Translational research uses this starting point and proceeds to compassionately study naturally occurring diseases in veterinary and human medicine with a goal of sharing data and building from discoveries, cooperatively forming a bridge to finding the causes, preventions, and cures for catastrophic diseases like:

Cancer; Dementia/Alzheimer’s; Diabetes; Crohn’s Disease; Hyper Thyroidism; Arthritis; Heart Disease; Psychological Disorders (PTSD, depression, anxiety, overeating).

Looking at domestic pets in particular offers tremendous insight in translational studies because these animals completely share the human environment and lifestyle.  They live in our houses, walk on our fertilized lawns, drive in our cars, eat our leftovers, suffer our stresses – they are models of the human experience that, because of their shorter life spans, run in fast forward.

Translational studies research uses that natural link to explore the real world impact on how disease is generated, grows, and how it can be eradicated – for both humans and pets.  These are the projects Paws To People will fund for research.
5. Is there an application deadline?
No, Paws To People accepts and reviews grant submissions throughout the year.  However, we do require that you submit only one grant application per year.
6. What size grant should I request?
You can apply for as little or as much (up to $15,000) as your financial need requires.  However, please be aware that if awarded, you may receive complete funding, partial funding, or funding of your project in phases.  For project needing more than $15,000, external funding sources may be required.  Paws To People’s grant funding limit is $15,000 per fiscal year.  The entire $15,000 may be awarded in full to one grant recipient, or may be split among two or more grant recipients.
7. Do you fund newly established non-profits?
Yes, we will consider grant applications from start-up nonprofits that are certified as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and fit the criteria of research we support.
8. Do you have any geographic restrictions?
Paws To People currently limits funding to projects conducted within the United States of America.
9. Do you provide general operating grants?
No.  Any grant money received is solely for the purpose of research with a translational study angle.
10. How long until I receive a response once my grant application has been submitted?
Paws To People staff reviews grant submissions on a regular basis.  Upon receipt of your grant application you will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt e-mail.  Your proposal will then be forwarded to the Advisory Board for review.  You will be notified in three weeks if your application has been approved for consideration or if it has been rejected.  If your application has been approved for consideration, it may take up to a year for final approval and award of funds.
11. If my grant proposal is declined, when can I reapply?
Only one grant application per project, research team, or individual is allowed per year.
12. Are other sources of funding required?
That is at your discretion.  Paws To People may not be able to be the sole supporter for your project so we suggest you consider other funding if Paws To People cannot meet all your funding needs.  Paws To People’s grant funding limit is $15,000 per fiscal year.  The entire $15,000 may be awarded in full to one grant recipient, or may be split among two or more grant recipients.
13. What projects are not eligible?
In general, Paws To People does not fund:
  • Annual funds, galas, or other special-event fundraising activities;
  • Capital campaigns/renovation projects;
  • Debt reduction;
  • Emergency or disaster relief efforts;
  • Dissertations or student research projects;
  • Sectarian religious activities, political lobbying, or legislative activities;
  • Loans, scholarships, fellowships, or grants to individuals;
  • Unsolicited requests for international organizations or programs.
14. Will Paws To People make multi-year awards?
Multi-year grants are not awarded.  Currently, grants awarded are for a one-year period.
15. How does Paws To People handle requests from universities?
Paws To People requires that all requests from universities be submitted through the university’s Office of Sponsored Projects.
16. Will the Paws To People staff conduct site visits?
If the Advisory Board deems it necessary to gain a better understanding of the project, a site visit will be scheduled.  If a site visit is needed but not feasible, a conference call will be scheduled.
17. Could I set up an appointment to discuss my project idea?
Yes, a Paws To People grant coordinator would be happy to discuss your proposed idea with you.  We fully support those working in the translational research arena and will offer whatever help we can to increase research activity and funding for translational research.
18. How can I check on the status of my grant application?
You may check the status of your grant application by contacting us on our Contact Us page and requesting a grant application status update.
19. If my grant application is declined, will you explain why it was rejected or critique the proposal?
Yes, if time and resources allow.  Due to the large volume of grant inquiries and our small staff, it is not always feasible for the Paws To People staff to discuss with applicants the reasons for declining a request or to provide individual critiques of proposals we decline.  Because Paws To People has limited financial resources, we are able to fund only a small percentage of qualified applicants.  This means that many excellent projects, even ones that fall within our areas of interest, may not be funded.  Please understand that a rejection of your proposal does not mean that the project lacks merit.
20. Who reviews the grant application?
An initial review of a grant application is conducted by our expert Advisory Board.  After the initial review process, in which an application is either approved for consideration or declined, the Advisory Board will then thoroughly review the applications that have been approved for consideration.  It is at this point that further information may be requested from you, such as an on-site interview, a phone interview, or further documents to clarify your project.  All grant applications that have been approved by the Advisory Board then receive final approval, and funding award amounts, from the Paws To People Board of Directors.
21. Where do I send my grant application?
Please send your grant application to:

Paws To People
ATTN:  Grants Coordinator
204 Hermosa Drive NE
Albuquerque, New Mexico   87108-1024

22. If I have more questions whom do I contact?
If you would like further information regarding the Paws To People grant application process, or information on Paws To People organization, or just have general questions, please direct your inquiries to:

Paws To People
ATTN:  Corporate Secretary
204 Hermosa Drive NE
Albuquerque, New Mexico   87108-1024
23. Do Paws To People grants cover indirect costs?
Indirect costs are costs that cannot be readily and specifically identified with a particular project or activity. Grants received from Paws To People shall not cover indirect costs.