Veterinary Student Scholars Program

The Veterinary Student Scholars (VSS) Program gives veterinary students hands-on involvement in research early in their career so they will consider entering this field where they are so critically needed.

Health research is critically important for giving veterinarians the tools they need to better prevent, diagnose and treat illness in their animal patients. Yet currently, there is a lack of veterinary scientists being training to meet future needs of animal health.

Since the creation of the VSS Program in 2005, Morris Animal Foundation has given more than 90 grants to veterinary student researchers from more than 30 different colleges and universities in 5 countries.

How the program works

The Veterinary Student Scholars Program provides stipend support of up to $4,000 to students who have completed at least one year of veterinary school. Applicants are nominated by their school’s dean of research (or equivalent) and work on an animal health research project in the areas of large animal, small animal, wildlife and multiple species, typically during the summer months. Students are eligible to apply from any accredited veterinary school in the world. Scholars are invited to the Foundation’s annual meeting in Denver, Colorado, where they present their work to Foundation scientific advisors and trustees and compete for cash awards in each species category.

Each institution’s veterinary student research program director, or equivalent, should identify outstanding applicants and then submit applications electronically to MAF for final selection. Institutions may submit the three best applications they receive from students in the following areas: one application for a large companion animal research project, one application for a small companion animal research project, and one application for a wildlife/special species research project. Award recipients will be notified in early March of 2009.

NEWS FLASH!
New MATCHING component for 2009

Although not required, institutions are highly encouraged to match funds awarded by MAF. If the institution commits to match funding, the institution may submit three additional applications in the areas of large and small companion animal and wildlife/multiple species research for a total of six VSS applicants. This is a dollar-for-dollar match, meaning that if a veterinary student proposal requests and is approved for $4,000, MAF would award $2,000 and the institution the remaining $2,000. The minimum match is $2,000. MAF staff and scientific advisors will review all applications. Award recipients will be notified in early March of 2009.

TO APPLY

All Applications must be submitted electronically.

Past Award Winners

GET CONNECTED

Please visit the Veterinary Student Scholars Program Facebook site. Create an account and watch videos from past award winners, connect with other veterinary student scholars and read veterinary science related articles.

For more information, contact Allen Byrne at abyrne@MorrisAnimalFoundation.org.