Michelson Grants in Reproductive Biology

About this program

The Michelson Found Animals Foundation offers the Michelson Prize & Grants in Reproductive Biology, providing grants up to $250,000 per year for up to three years (maximum $750,000) as part of a $75M effort to develop a permanent, single‑dose, nonsurgical sterilant for male and female cats and dogs. Funding is merit‑ and product‑focused and prioritizes innovative technologies or mechanisms with realistic potential to produce a prize‑winning, marketable product; proof‑of‑concept studies in cell culture or rodents and/or studies in dogs and cats are encouraged where appropriate. Applicants worldwide—including academic institutions, biotech firms, research institutes, and qualified individuals—are eligible across relevant disciplines (e.g., reproductive biology, bioengineering, neuroscience, immunology, materials science). Specific methodological restrictions apply: hypothalamic targets require strong preliminary data on BBB crossing and cell‑specific targeting, immunocontraception cannot rely solely on rodent models and must include canine/feline preliminary immune and efficacy data, and targeted cytotoxins must demonstrate targeting efficiency, uptake, and effect.