2026 Call for Proposals up to $175,000
Application Deadline: Friday, July 24, 2026
The Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF) is pleased to announce a Call for Proposals for its 2026 Research Grant: Thriving as we age, the mutual benefits of interaction and connection with equines on the lives of active older adults.
Through a generous donation HHRF is able to award up to $175,000 to support research on the extraordinary power of connection with equines in enhancing active aging, through promoting health, well-being, and quality of life improvements in older adults (age 65 and older) through equine-human interactions.
Participant groups (adults age 65 and older) and equines must be carefully selected to ensure mutual safety and well-being promotion for both the equines and participants. In particular, all participants must have the capacity to fully consent to their participation in the research, and ethically be considered suitable to be around equines and their environments.
HHRF invites submissions from researchers across disciplines exploring the multifaceted relationship between horses and humans.
This call requires research that investigates equines and humans simultaneously, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of their interconnected experiences.
Research may focus on therapy, groundwork, leadership programs, riding, mental health interventions (e.g., observing horses as part of therapy), and other relevant activities.
Grant Award: Up to $175,000 for a research period of up to two years.
Application Deadline: Friday, July 24, 2026.
Focus Area: The impact of equine-human interactions in promoting well-being and quality of life (psychological, physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and/or spiritual) in older adults (age 65 or older) to enhance active aging.
Reminder: Evaluation (outcome measures) must clearly assess impacts on both Human Participants and Equines resulting from the equine-human interaction.
Review Process: A multi-tier evaluation by the HHRF Scientific Advisory Council, with finalists invited to submit a 15-minute pre-recorded video presentation followed by a live Q&A with the HHRF Board of Directors.
Eligibility: Preference will be given to researchers with strong credentials, a track record of scientific excellence, and studies demonstrating rigor and clinical significance who incorporate or include practitioners in their team to ensure ecological validity of their proposed study.
Mission: “Through sustained investment in rigorous research and educational initiatives, Horses and Humans Research Foundation serves as a catalyst to advance global knowledge of horse-human interactions and their impact on health and well-being of people, horses and other equines.” * such as Donkeys and Mules
HHRF Application Checklist 2026
Research Readiness Checklist for EAS