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Addressing Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Human-Animal Interaction

Human Animal Bond Research Institute

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) is issuing a call for research proposals from institutions and organizations across the globe to investigate the health outcomes of pet ownership and/or animal-assisted interventions (AAI), both for the people and the animals involved. Proposals should have a strong theoretical framework and focus on innovative approaches to studying the positive effects of companion animals on human health.

HABRI is interested in funding a wide range of studies focused on the human-animal bond.

Areas of Interest

HABRI is interested in funding studies that address this complex issue. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

Studies investigating the vital role of pet ownership for the health and well-being of people, pets, and communities.
Broadly generalizable human-animal bond studies impacting large populations in the categories of child health and development, healthy aging, mental health, and physical health.
The human health impacts of animal-assisted interventions, including in professional practice, volunteer programs, and educational contexts, and research that refines or informs best practices to improve health outcomes and quality of life for the humans and animals involved.
Studies that are translational in that at least one aim is to produce actionable advice, guidelines, and recommendations for policymakers as it relates to supporting pet owners, the human-animal bond and/or human-animal interactions.
Studies that are translational in that at least one aim is to produce actionable advice, guidelines, and recommendations for veterinarians and other pet care professionals, pet owners and/or those interested in acquiring a pet.
Studies with clinical implications for human health practitioners or studies with at least one aim to produce actionable advice, guidelines, and recommendations for human health practitioners working with and/or supporting pet owners, the human-animal bond and/or animal-assisted interventions.
How companion animal ownership and/or interaction helps address those impacted by public health and social crises, such as generalized anxiety and stress; social isolation and loneliness; suicide, addiction, and substance abuse; access to social service; trauma and/or post-traumatic stress; obesity and physical activity; and cardiovascular health.
The role of pets in supporting the health and wellbeing of people from diverse backgrounds or underrepresented or minoritized populations.
The role of the human-animal bond in veterinary medicine, including its impact on access to care, compliance and quality of care, and veterinary team wellbeing. Studies that explore the role of veterinarians and animal health professionals in human-animal bond research are also of interest.
The bond between humans and a wide variety of pet species which may include (but are not limited to) dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, small mammals, horses and fish.
International perspectives of the human-animal bond, investigating the health outcomes of pet ownership and/or AAI in countries, communities, and cultures, including those that are under-represented in current literature.

Evaluation will be based on rigor of study design and methods, potential for significant impact on future practices related to the understanding or treatment of mental and physical health conditions, capabilities of investigators, adequacy of facilities, cost-effective yet realistic budget, and for potential contribution to the scientific field of human-animal interaction (HAI), and relevance to HABRI’s mission.

Adherence to the highest standards of human and animal care and welfare is essential, and studies that also measure the welfare of the animals involved are important to HABRI’s mission of supporting the mutual health benefits of the human-animal bond. All funded studies must undergo Institutional Review Board (IRB) and/or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) review and approval, and all animals participating in funded studies must be under the care of a veterinarian. No invasive procedures will be funded.

HABRI does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, disability, military status, age, marital status, or parental status.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

Below are factors that consistently appear to strengthen competitiveness in HABRI research proposals:

🧪 1. Strong Relevance to the Human-Animal Bond and Health Outcomes

The core mission of HABRI is to build rigorous evidence on how interactions with animals benefit human health and well-being. Proposals must clearly articulate how their research advances understanding in this space. Habri

To be competitive, your study should:

Focus on outcomes that matter to human health, function, quality of life, or social functioning.

Directly link human–animal interaction mechanisms to measurable health effects.

📚 2. Theoretical Rigor and Solid Conceptual Framework

HABRI reviewers look for proposals grounded in a clearly defined theoretical framework that describes why and how the human-animal bond might influence the outcome of interest. Habri

Successful applications often include:

A concise, evidence-based rationale linked to prior literature.

Hypotheses focused on clear impact pathways (e.g., stress reduction → physiological or behavioral outcomes).

Predictor: A strong, coherent concept that situates the research within both human health science and human-animal interaction literature.

📊 3. Scientific Rigor and Feasible Study Design

Grant reviewers evaluate methodological strength, including:

Clear study design (quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods)

Well-justified sample size and power considerations

Validated measures of health outcomes or interaction metrics

Realistic timelines for project milestones

Predictor: Detailed methodology demonstrating that the study can deliver robust and publishable results within the grant period.

🎯 4. Translational Value and Practical Impact

HABRI emphasizes research that has actionable value for:

Health practitioners

Policymakers

Pet owners

Animal care professionals

This includes projects designed to produce guidelines, evidence-based recommendations, or policy insights — not just academic knowledge. Habri

Predictor: Identify one or more downstream applications for your findings (practice, policy, education).

🌍 5. Novelty and Filling Evidence Gaps

HABRI generally favors studies that address underexplored aspects of the human-animal bond, such as:

Effects in diverse or historically underrepresented groups

Non-canine companion species

Comparative contexts (e.g., cultural differences)

Welfare of animals involved in interventions Mary Lou Fulton College

Predictor: A project that targets a clearly identified knowledge gap beyond well-studied populations or settings tends to stand out.

👥 6. Investigator Capability and Environment

While HABRI funding is modest relative to large federal grants, reviewers still look for teams that include:

Demonstrated experience in human health or social science research

Ability to recruit participants and gather reliable data

Institutional support and ethical oversight (e.g., IRB/IACUC readiness) Habri

Predictor: Clear evidence that the team can execute the project ethically and efficiently.

🧾 7. Clear Budget and Ethical Planning

Proposals should include:

A well-justified, realistic budget that aligns with project activities

Detailed ethical considerations (e.g., humane animal care, veterinarian oversight, IRB approvals) Habri

Predictor: A transparent budget narrative that ties every expense to deliverables plus ethics plans signals feasibility and credibility.

🧠 HABRI Review Criteria (Implicit from RFP)

Although HABRI does not publish a formal scoring rubric, RFP guidance and funded project patterns suggest review includes:
✔ Scientific merit and originality
✔ Impact on understanding human health and human-animal interaction
✔ Methodological rigor
✔ Feasibility and timeline
✔ Investigator expertise
✔ Relevance to HABRI’s mission
✔ Ethical conduct (human and animal) Mary Lou Fulton College

🧠 Practical Tips to Improve Competitiveness

✔ Start with a concise conceptual model linking animal-related exposures to health outcomes.
✔ Emphasize public health relevance, such as mental health, aging, loneliness, or chronic disease mitigation.
✔ Include measures of both human and — when relevant — animal welfare to support ethical completeness.
✔ Plan for dissemination directed at clinical audiences, policymakers, and community stakeholders (not just academic journals).
✔ Seek collaborations across disciplines (public health, psychology, veterinary science, social work).

📌 Summary: HABRI Success Predictors

Predictor	Why It Matters
Clear human-animal bond focus	Aligns with HABRI mission and relevance. Habri
Strong theoretical framework	Supports scientific credibility. Habri
Rigor and feasibility	Ensures deliverable results. Mary Lou Fulton College
Translational impact	Increases real-world value. Habri
Investigator capability	Demonstrates execution strength. Habri
Ethical and budget planning	Signals responsible research. Habri
Addressing evidence gaps	Favors novelty and unmet needs.

Specialties

Others

Eligibility Requirements

HABRI is interested in funding studies that address this complex issue. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

Studies investigating the vital role of pet ownership for the health and well-being of people, pets, and communities.
Broadly generalizable human-animal bond studies impacting large populations in the categories of child health and development, healthy aging, mental health, and physical health.
The human health impacts of animal-assisted interventions, including in professional practice, volunteer programs, and educational contexts, and research that refines or informs best practices to improve health outcomes and quality of life for the humans and animals involved.
Studies that are translational in that at least one aim is to produce actionable advice, guidelines, and recommendations for policymakers as it relates to supporting pet owners, the human-animal bond and/or human-animal interactions.
Studies that are translational in that at least one aim is to produce actionable advice, guidelines, and recommendations for veterinarians and other pet care professionals, pet owners and/or those interested in acquiring a pet.
Studies with clinical implications for human health practitioners or studies with at least one aim to produce actionable advice, guidelines, and recommendations for human health practitioners working with and/or supporting pet owners, the human-animal bond and/or animal-assisted interventions.
How companion animal ownership and/or interaction helps address those impacted by public health and social crises, such as generalized anxiety and stress; social isolation and loneliness; suicide, addiction, and substance abuse; access to social service; trauma and/or post-traumatic stress; obesity and physical activity; and cardiovascular health.
The role of pets in supporting the health and wellbeing of people from diverse backgrounds or underrepresented or minoritized populations.
The role of the human-animal bond in veterinary medicine, including its impact on access to care, compliance and quality of care, and veterinary team wellbeing. Studies that explore the role of veterinarians and animal health professionals in human-animal bond research are also of interest.
The bond between humans and a wide variety of pet species which may include (but are not limited to) dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, small mammals, horses and fish.
International perspectives of the human-animal bond, investigating the health outcomes of pet ownership and/or AAI in countries, communities, and cultures, including those that are under-represented in current literature.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Human Animal Bond Research Institute

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 1310 L St, NW, Suite 860 Washington, DC 20005

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