AKC Canine Health Foundation
2018 Tick-Borne Disease Request for Proposals

Dear Canine Health Researcher:

The AKC Canine Health Foundation continues its commitment to address tick-borne diseases by funding critical research to diagnose, prevent and treat tick-borne diseases in dogs. Diseases of interest include ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, hepatozoonosis, babesiosis, bartonellosis, hemotropic mycoplasmosis, and Lyme disease. The Foundation supports a One Health and multi-disciplinary approach to addressing the health needs of all dogs and their people.

CHF is seeking innovative approaches to tick-borne diseases, including the study of co-infections.

Proposals may address any of the following areas:

1. Generation of improved diagnostics (more sensitive, specific and broadly-applicable) for important tick-borne diseases of dog
2. Novel approaches to safe and effective preventives, including interruption of pathogen transmission from tick to host
3. New treatments, including non-antimicrobial and immunotherapeutic approaches to infection/co-infections, and issues of resistance
4. Documentation of treatment protocols and measured response for specific tick-borne diseases
5. Pathophysiology and the role of persistent infection in chronic disease causation; Lyme disease in dogs is of particular interest
6. Surveillance and epidemiological studies, including those addressing public health, especially for newly-emerging tick-borne diseases, and for at-risk populations of dogs

Of special interest are applications proposing the identification of receptor proteins involved in the host-attraction and attachment of tick species of clinical importance to dogs, including but not limited to Amblyomma americanum and Rhipicephalus sanguineus.  Specifically, the use of “Omic” tools to improve basic understanding is encouraged, with the primary questions including:

• What are the most dominating proteins for chemosensation, and are these tick-specific receptors?

• How do the proteins involved in chemoreception compare in different tick-species?

• Are there receptor protein binding-sites for attractants and/or repellents to disrupt chemosensory pathways that are suitable for the development of a functional assay?

The deadline for online applications is Monday, July 25, 2018 at 11:59 PM Eastern. Both Acorn ($15,000 maximum including 8% maximum indirect costs) and Oak (over $15,000 - $108,000, including 8% maximum indirect costs) grant proposals that can be completed within the budget will be accepted.

All work completed under this funding must strictly adhere to the Foundation's Humane Use of Animals Policy.

Questions regarding this RFP should be directed to Andrea Fiumefreddo, CHF Director of Programs.

Please forward this announcement to other researchers seeking funding in this area of research.

LEARN MORE AND APPLY

Notice to Genetic Researchers: The CHIC DNA Repository has canine DNA samples available to genetic researchers. The CHIC DNA Repository, co-sponsored by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals and the AKC Canine Health Foundation, collects and stores canine DNA samples along with corresponding genealogic and updated health information to facilitate future research and testing aimed at reducing the incidence of inherited disease in dogs. Any genetic researcher may apply to have access to these samples and any CHF funded project is pre-approved for access.