MMI mental health research grant applications now open

Today [Thursday 15 January 2026] our Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched its next round of veterinary mental health research grants, open to mental health researchers at all career stages.

The revamped grant programme, launched in August 2024, aims to drive change that will positively impact mental health in the veterinary sector and offers two types of grants. The first is a £5,000 Discovery Grant, targeted towards postgraduate or early career researchers looking to kick-start small-scale studies. The second is a £15,000 Impact Grant, aimed at more established researchers working on more substantial medium-size projects. However, applications for both grants are open to researchers at any stage of their career.

All applications must reflect one of MMI’s strategic research areas of focus for 2026 and incorporate considerations for equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

The 2026 areas of focus are: 

• Suicide prevention and self-harm in the veterinary community, 
• Mental health in veterinary education and early careers, and, 
• Veterinary workplaces, leadership and mental health.  

Applications should also display:  

• Relevance, feasibility and originality,   
• Quality and inclusiveness, and,  
• Clear potential for impact and accessible outputs.    

MMI Lead, Rapinder Newton, said: "As a compassionate regulator and Royal College, we care passionately about those dedicating their careers to upholding animal health and welfare, and public health.

"If we want the veterinary professions - and the wider society it supports - to thrive, we must prioritise the wellbeing of the veterinary workforce. By investing in research on veterinary mental health, we can help deliver evidence-based systemic solutions that can make a real difference."

"If we want the veterinary professions - and the wider society it supports - to thrive, we must prioritise the wellbeing of the veterinary workforce. By investing in research on veterinary mental health, we can help deliver evidence-based systemic solutions that can make a real difference."

RCVS Council member and MMI Chair, Dr Zara Kennedy MRCVS (pictured below) added: "Since 2019, MMI has awarded over £195,000 to a range of research projects, and we can see the positive impact this funding has made.

"For example, an MMI-funded project exploring how mental health and wellbeing are built into the learning pathways of student veterinary nurses has led to real, practical outcomes, with data now being used to co-design mental health training webinars, deliver interactive training to VN educators in higher and further education, and evaluate the ongoing impacts.

"This is just one example, but there are so many areas where more research is needed. So, if you have an idea for a project, or know someone who might, please do consider finding out more about our grant programme."

Applicants for the MMI research grants must be UK-based and have relevant research expertise and/or experience, and be formally employed or affiliated with a university, higher education institute, or research institute based in the UK.

Further information on the grants and how to apply can be found within the applicant guide on the MMI website.

All forms must be sent to [email protected] by 11.59pm on Sunday 22 March 2026. If you have any queries about applying or the application process, please contact the MMI Team at [email protected].