Available Grants

Grants Offered

Please take a moment to read the AAZK Grant Submission Guidelines for individual AAZK Grant Applications.

Please scroll down and review the Qualifications and Restrictions for AAZK Grants listed below:

  • The AAZK Professional Development Grant
  • The AAZK National Conference – Professional Member Grant
  • AAZK Student Diversity GrantAAZK
  • Institutional Research Grant

Deadline March 1

AAZK Professional Development Grant
The AAZK Professional Development Grant is available to assist AAZK members with costs associated with attending professional development opportunities, conferences, workshops, or participating in field research. It cannot be used to fund attendance at the AAZK National Conference. To apply: download, read, and sign the Submission Guidelines and attach it in the space provided on the Application linked below.
Application is here
Signature Doc (PDF download)

AAZK National Conference- Professional Member Grant
The AAZK National Conference- Professional Member Grant is available to AAZK Professional Members to assist with costs associated with attending the AAZK National Conference. To apply: download, read, and sign the Submission Guidelines and attach it in the space provided on the Application linked below.
Application is here
Signature Doc (PDF download)

AAZK Student Diversity Grant
The AAZK Student Diversity Grant is designed to assist AAZK Student Members, who are 18 and older, who self-identify as a member of a minority group, and who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs with the costs associated with attending a continuing education opportunity that relates to the animal care field, such as a conference or workshop. This grant can be used to cover the costs of travel, registration, and lodging. To apply: download, read, and sign the Submission Guidelines and attach it in the space provided on the Application linked below.
Application is here
Signature Doc (PDF download)

AAZK Institutional Research Grant
The purpose of the AAZK Institutional Research Grant is to encourage and support research conducted by the employees of AAZK Institutional Members. Applicants should be employees of a facility that is an AAZK Institutional Member who is seeking to conduct non-invasive research, in-situ or ex-situ. To apply: download, read, and sign the Submission Guidelines and attach it in the space provided on the Application linked below.
Application is here
Signature Doc (PDF download)

Qualifications

Full-time keepers/aquarists in zoological parks and aquariums, who are professional members of AAZK in good standing, are eligible to receive individual grants.  Researchers other than zoo keepers may participate in the funded studies. The principal investigator, however, must be a keeper/aquarist.

The AAZK TFYM Restoration Grant is available to AAZK Conservation Partners, AAZK Institutional Members and non-member applicants who hold Federal Non-profit status within the US, or are an International Registered Charity.  The applicant for these AAZK Grants shall be under the direct employ of the applying entity.

Restrictions

AAZK will not fund any invasive biological studies, or any study that may cause an animal undue or prolonged discomfort or harm.

Allowable expenses include equipment, supplies and other costs such as library fees, computer time, etc. Expenses that are not allowed include telephone costs, animal purchases, and wages for research participants. Grant recipients shall be reimbursed for research expenses upon presentation of receipts. Only in unusual circumstances, and only with AAZK Board approval, shall grant recipients be advanced funds. In such cases receipts shall be required upon purchase.