Below, we highlight the three focal cause areas of the AARF. We invite proposals on topics relevant to advocates working in these cause areas.
Farmed Animal Advocacy
Despite the appreciable progress made by farmed animal advocacy groups, the global demand for animal protein continues to rise. We believe research aimed at helping farmed animals remains a tractable and impactful pursuit, and we invite proposals that may help inform our beliefs about the efficacy of various farmed animal advocacy interventions. (See here for an overview of some interventions we consider relevant.) We will also consider proposals to evaluate different persuasive messages, as well as methodological research aimed at improving study design and measurement in this context.
Plant-Based and Cell-Cultured Alternatives
The introduction of plant-based and cell-cultured protein alternatives has enormous potential to reduce the suffering of farmed animals. We invite proposals that aim to explore (i) consumer preferences and attitudes towards these products, (ii) best labeling and marketing practices, and (iii) strategies for navigating relevant legal and regulatory hurdles.
Wild Animal Suffering
We believe that the neglectedness of wild animal suffering as a cause area is due—at least in part—to a lack of relevant research and understanding. We invite proposals that may help inform our beliefs about how to effectively measure and study the experiences of wild animals, how to estimate the effects of human activity on wild animals, and how to understand which viable interventions currently exist to help wild animals.
If you have any questions about the information outlined above, please reach out to the Research Fund Program Officer, Samantha Berscht.