= AVMA/SAVMA  Members Only

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What is the AVMA Rapid Response Research Fund?

The AVMA Rapid Response Research Fund is a quick way of getting some money for a targeted animal health problem that doesn't have available sources of other funding. Parvovirus in dogs is one historical example of where such a fund would have come in handy, because when clinical signs were first noticed, there was little money available for initial studies. The RRRF could have provided a relatively quick process by which we could have released money for someone to get started on researching the cause, enough to get preliminary data. Then, researchers could seek further funding from established sources, such as the American Kennel Club, foundations, breed groups, or even the National Institutes of Health.

The fund specifically addresses the third of the four approaches to "Promoting Veterinary Research in the 21st Century," which is achieving a rapid response. This is an AVMA initiative developed by the Council on Research in 1999.

To date, we have released no money from the RRRF and had only one request. That was turned down, because there were other sources of money readily available to study that specific problem. The problem really has to be something major that doesn't have another immediate and obvious source of funding.

How do individuals obtain money from the fund?

Veterinarians and scientists in the AVMA sentinel network help identify emerging animal health problems and direct people to the fund. If a veterinarian is noticing a cluster of disease in their own community, they can contact their sentinel network representative, which in many cases is their state veterinarian. A private practitioner can also call me at (847) 286-6675, and I can direct them to their network representative. It is a good idea to make the network aware of an emerging disease problem, because it may be bigger than anyone thinks. Obviously, the sentinel network is not a substitute for informing appropriate authorities about reportable diseases.

We ask individuals to fill out an application providing information about the nature of the disease or problem, known scope, recommendations regarding an appropriate approach, and any available resources that may be available to augment the RRRF. We are not looking for a 20-page research proposal.

After receiving this information, I contact the chair of the AVMA Council on Research, who would typically speak with the vice chair, and they will set up an ad hoc subcommittee to examine whether to pursue funding through RRRF. If things move forward and the AVMA Board of Governors or Executive Board gives final consent, we put out a request for proposals. This goes to Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges member institutions, indicating that the AVMA has up to $15,000 to release to study the specific, emerging disease or condition, and that the Council on Research will make final decisions on the proposals. At the same time, we will begin advertising, using AVMA and probably AAVMC, and certain state agencies, to get additional funding to build on the $15,000.