The Equine Oat Research Advisory Board (EORAB) is now accepting pre-proposal applications for the first Prairie Oat Growers Association Equine Oat Research Grant cycle. Research projects that the Prairie Oat Growers Association (POGA) funds will aim to discover specific benefits of oats for horses. The EORAB invites researchers to submit pre-proposals that address one or more of the following questions:

• How do oats contribute to the health of the horse?
• How do oats contribute to the performance of the horse?
• How can oats be used to prevent or manage a clinical disorder(s)?

Topics should seek answers to more specific problems related to the broader research areas outlined above. For the 2013 grant cycle, up to $400,000 is available. Preference will be given to research projects designed to produce tangible results within one year from the start of the research.

The EORAB has a two-step selection process to determine which research project(s) are recommended for funding. Pre-proposals must be no more than three pages and are due by July 31. The EORAB will review the pre-proposals and select those it believes will provide the greatest benefit to the horse and oat industries, based upon scientific merit and in alignment with POGA’s objectives.

Successful pre-proposal applicants will be invited to submit full proposals for funding consideration, which will be due Nov. 30. The EORAB will then evaluate the research proposals and recommend to POGA which proposal(s) should be awarded grant money. Researchers whose proposals are approved for funding will be notified by April 15, 2013