WELCOME TO OUR NEW EDITORS!
The ABS Editorial Team is pleased to announce the appointment of a new associate editor, Joshua Plotnik, with specific expertise in the behavior of large mammals. Josh is replacing Scott MacDougall-Shackleton, who is transitioning to the position of Ethics Editor 1 July and stepping down as associate editor. Congratulations to both Josh and Scott on their new appointments!
FRONTIERS FOR YOUNG MINDS | ANIMAL BEHAVIOR COLLECTION
Call for Expressions of Interest
We invite expressions of interest for a curated collection of short articles on animal behavior to be published in Frontiers for Young Minds, an open-access journal for readers ages 8–15.
This international collection, developed in collaboration with the Animal Behavior Society, will introduce young readers to how scientists explain behavior using Tinbergen’s four questions. Each article will be co-authored by a researcher and an undergraduate, with an emphasis on clear, engaging communication.
Articles will be ~1,500 words and designed for a broad student and classroom audience. Contributors will work with an undergraduate co-author and participate in iterative editorial development prior to submission.
We anticipate selecting approximately 10–12 articles, depending on the strength and diversity of submissions.
Timeline
- Expressions of interest due: April 30, 2026
- Selections announced: early May 2026
- Writing period: May–October 2026
NOW HIRING: POSITIONS IN ANIMAL BEHAVIOR
Looking for your next opportunity in animal behavior? A variety of academic and research positions are currently available.
Visit the Animal Behavior Society job listings page to explore openings and learn more:
https://www.animalbehaviorsociety.org/web/news.php.
If you have a job to post, follow the link in the upper right of that page to share the information.
EQUINE BEHAVIOR & WELFARE RESEARCH GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
The application period for the Equine Behavior/Welfare research grant administered through the Morris Animal Foundation will open in May. This year, the application period will run simultaneously with the application period for the equid health research grant. Pre-proposals can be submitted starting in May, and if a proposal is accepted, a full proposal will be requested beginning in July (see below). You may sign up at Manage your email preferences to make sure you’ll be notified when the grant application period opens.
The Foundation is also seeking professionals to serve on the Scientific Advisory Board to evaluate proposals. If you are interested, see the information below on how to apply. The Foundation has changed its application system, so if you have previously applied, you might want to check to make sure your information is still in the system.
● Equid Request for Proposals — Opens in May
Application pre-proposal period open May 6, 2026 — June 10, 2026.
This RFP includes funding for a pilot study grant focused on improving the lives of horses by increasing our understanding of the behavioral domain. This includes areas such as ethology, cognition, learning, stereotypies, separation anxiety, affiliative behavior toward (bonding with) humans, the effects of equine temperament on welfare, and equine psychopharmacology.
The Equine Behavior/Welfare grant opportunity will not be offered as a separate RFP in 2026. This will be the only opportunity to apply.
Full proposal submission is by invitation only July 29, 2026 — September 9, 2026.
More details can be found here