The UFAW Animal Welfare Student Scholarship Program 2026

The Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) Animal Welfare Student Scholarships are designed to empower undergraduate and MSc students to launch meaningful, independent projects in animal welfare science. Projects can explore the welfare of farm animals, companion animals, animals used in research, zoo animals, or wild‐living animals whose welfare is affected by human activity. The UFAW Animal Welfare Student Scholarship is an annual Scholarship award that is open for application every September/October, with a closing date of 28 February the following year.

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 Each scholarship provides up to £3,600, comprised of a weekly £350 subsistence allowance paid to the student and £100 per week towards project expenses paid to the host organization. The projects are typically short (4 to 8 weeks), though timing and location are flexible, and can be carried out anywhere globally with appropriate supervision. Past scholarship recipients have contributed to scientific publications and launched careers in animal welfare science—highlighting the scholarship’s value as both a meaningful scientific venture and a professional stepping-stone.

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The first UFAW Animal Welfare Student Scholarships were awarded in 1983 and since the scheme began there have been over 450 scholars. A wide range of projects have been undertaken, and in some cases scholars have published papers arising from their work in scientific literature. For many scholars, the UFAW Animal Welfare Student Scholarships have also been a successful launch pad for a career in animal welfare science, with many going on to supervise scholars themselves. That also include The Ruth Harrison Scholarship–An assessment panel may select one of the high-quality projects addressing the welfare of farmed animals to be awarded the Ruth Harrison Student Scholarship. This scholarship has been established with the support of the Farm Animal Care Trust (FACT), and is in memory of Ruth Harrison, whose tireless work at the Trust, and seminal book, ‘Animal Machines’, led to reform and long-lasting improvements in farm animal welfare. 

Students are required to submit their project report once finished and to present their findings virtually at the annual Scholars Meeting, providing not only financial support but significant visibility within the welfare science community. The scheme is open for applications annually—calls typically open in the autumn, with a submission deadline in late February. If you’re a student passionate about improving the lives of animals and ready to take on a focused, independent project, this scholarship offers a unique combination of financial support, academic credibility and global opportunity.