Research Funding

Since the end of 2024, the Kynos Foundation "Dogs Help People" has been awarding nationwide grants for scientific research in the field of dog-assisted intervention and assistance dogs. Funding is provided for doctoral theses as well as scientific publications from interdisciplinary disciplines such as ethology, veterinary medicine, human medicine, psychology, and social sciences. The foundation's goal is to optimize practical work through objectively validated research results, raise public awareness, and create the basis for well-founded legislation. The application process begins in January 2025, with exact deadlines to be announced shortly. Funding requirements include a completed doctorate or a scientific publication on the subject matter as well as an interdisciplinary approach. Applications are reviewed by an expert panel based on criteria such as scientific methodology, interdisciplinarity, and societal benefit, and are submitted to the board with a recommendation.

The Kynos Foundation was established in 1998 by Dr. Dieter and Helga Fleig and has since supported numerous assistance dog projects. With the expansion of its funding spectrum to include research projects, the foundation places an additional focus on sustainable knowledge transfer and networking. By providing financial resources for one to two projects annually, it promotes not only new insights into effectiveness and animal welfare but also the early detection of disease indicators such as epilepsy or diabetes. The results of the funded projects are to be made accessible to a broad professional audience and prepared in a practice-oriented manner, with the long-term aim of establishing a hub for research, training, and inclusion.