Wildlife Diseases

Challenge Aims

Emerging infectious diseases are arising in new geographic regions and affecting new populations as a result of changing human demographics, land use, the exotic pet trade, and climate change. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that among currently emergent infectious human diseases, 75% come directly from an animal reservoir and that 60% of all pathogens affecting humans are of zoonotic origin. Additionally, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases estimates that there are at least 30 emerging infectious diseases that are slated to significantly threaten human health in this century. Understanding the pathogens that affect wildlife requires broad multidisciplinary investigation including all aspects of host and pathogen biology, ecological interactions, surveillance, vaccine development, land use strategies, and domestic and international policy.

We are calling for research proposals on any aspect of wildlife disease research, whether it focuses on a species-specific disease, a pathogen that affects an entire group of animals, or seeks to gain more understanding of a zoonotic disease from the vector, host, transmission, or prevention perspective. If you are not sure if your project qualifies, contact us and we’d love to talk to you about it.

We will review proposals and plan to launch qualifying projects at the end of August. Projects will have run for 30 days to fundraise for set "all or nothing" goals. After three weeks of campaigning, the projects with the most backers will receive a bonus amount donated to their campaigns on top of their raised funds.