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Call for Applications: Research Funding in Horse-Assisted Therapy (HAT)

The Ann Kern-Godal Memorial Fund for Horse-Assisted Therapy (HAT) invites applications for funding to support high-quality, evidence-based research in horse-assisted therapy for diverse patient groups.

Horse-assisted therapy is an emerging research field, and the fund aims to strengthen the scientific foundation, methodological quality, and international visibility of research in this area.

The fund is open to international applicants.

Purpose of the Fund

The purpose of the fund is to promote research and to build scientific evidence within horse-assisted therapy (HAT). Given the developing nature of the field, the fund supports a broad range of scientific approaches, disciplines, and methodologies, with particular emphasis on projects that contribute to methodological innovation and robust evidence generation.

What Can Be Funded?

The fund provides support in the following categories:

• Scientific scholarships for:

- PhD candidates whose research is wholly or partly focused on HAT
- Postdoctoral researchers dedicated wholly or partly to HAT, particularly projects exploring new methodological approaches

• Scientific prize awarded to a research centre that has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of HAT research

Exceptionally promising research projects may receive multi-year funding for up to three (3) years.

Funding Amounts

• Individual grants typically range from NOK 85,000 to NOK 350,000.
• Particularly outstanding applications may be awarded larger amounts.

The total funding available for this call is up to NOK 750,000.

Who Can Apply?

Applications are welcome from:

• PhD candidates working wholly or partly on HAT-related research
• Postdoctoral researchers working wholly or partly on HAT-related research
• Institutions or research centres applying for the scientific prize

Both individual researchers and institutions may apply.

The call is open to applicants from all countries.

Application Language

As this is an international call, all applications must be submitted in English.

Required Application Documents

The application must include the following documents (all are mandatory):

• Completed application form
• CV (PDF, maximum 4 pages)
• Project description (PDF, maximum 5 pages, excluding title page, table of contents, and references)
• Budget overview (directly in the application form)
• Two letters of recommendation from individuals with relevant scientific expertise

Important:

• Applications missing any required document will not be considered.
• All attachments must be uploaded directly in the application system.
• The requested funding amount must be stated in Norwegian kroner (NOK).

Instructions for International Applicants Without a Norwegian National ID

Applicants who do not have a Norwegian national ID number must contact UNIFOR at unifor@unifor.no to gain access to the application system.

Please provide the following information:

• Full name (as stated in your passport)
• Employer / affiliated institution
• Employer’s full postal address
• Applicant’s phone number
• Applicant’s email address
• A signed confirmation from the host institution confirming the applicant’s employment or formal affiliation.

This verification is required to comply with Norwegian regulations for international fund transfers.

Important: UNIFOR’s office hours are 08:00–16:00 (CEST). If you contact UNIFOR on the day of the application deadline, assistance cannot be guaranteed before the deadline. In that case, you will need to wait for the next call.

Application Deadline

15 February

Applications must be submitted electronically via UNIFOR’s application portal. Applications by e-mail or post will not be accepted.

Important about submission

Please note that some institutional networks may have firewalls that block UNIFOR’s application system.

If you experience problems with submission, we recommend that you:

• Try using another browser (e.g., Chrome or Firefox)
• Use a different device or network (for example, from home)
• Once the application has been submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation by e-mail.

You can also log in to check your application status:

• “Saved” = Not submitted
• “Submitted” = The application has been received

In case of technical problems:

Contact UNIFOR at unifor@unifor.no or by phone at (+47) 940 85 804 during office hours.

Please note: We cannot guarantee assistance if you contact us very close to the deadline. We recommend submitting your application well in advance.

In case of allocation

Allocated funds must be used in accordance with the submitted application.

Grant recipients are required to submit:

• A progress report after six (6) months, briefly describing the scientific progress, any deviations from the original plan, and the planned next steps.
• A final scientific and financial report at the end of the funding period.

Please note:

• Funds not used in accordance with the purpose, or insufficiently documented, must be repaid
• Any surplus funds must also be returned to the foundation

Questions?

Contact UNIFOR:

• unifor@unifor.no
• (+47) 940 85 804