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AVMF Rewards Outstanding Veterinary Students

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As the charitable arm of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the AVMF is dedicated to the mission of developing resources to advance the science and practice of veterinary medicine to improve animal and human health. To achieve this mission, the AVMF provides programs in Education, Animal Care, Disaster Relief and Research.

To support the strategic initiative of Education, the AVMF invests in the teaching of veterinary students in the United States and across the globe. We make an impact on student enhancement by empowering students to achieve their goals in veterinary medicine and by recognizing and rewarding individuals who have already made extraordinary accomplishments in pursuit of their veterinary training. Our goal is to build a relationship with veterinary students that lasts a lifetime.

Scholarships

The American Veterinary Medical Foundation believes that by investing in the education of America’s veterinary students we play a role in ensuring that future veterinarians have the skills and training necessary to treat our pets, safeguard our food supply and protect public health.

The scholarships below are designed to help students achieve their goals and go into the world and accomplish great things. Students are encouraged to consider both traditional and non-traditional careers as they move forward in their education to understand the many options that the veterinary profession offers.

On June 3, 2016 the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps celebrated the centennial of President Woodrow Wilson’s signing of the National Defense Act of 1916, an act that strengthened the nation’s military in part through the creation of a Veterinary Corps within the U.S. Army.

AVMA and AVMF established a special scholarship in honor of the 100th anniversary for military veterans pursuing an education in veterinary medicine. A generous donor has joined us to provide five (5) $9,000 scholarships to veterans of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy or Special Force currently in their 1st, 2nd or 3rd year of veterinary school.

Eligibility Requirements

  • 1st, 2nd or 3rd year veterinary student in good standing at an AVMA accredited school (all U.S. and internationally accredited schools)
  • Veteran of the U.S. military (U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy or Space Force)
  • Involvement in university affiliated organizations including leadership responsibilities
  • Honorably discharged or active duty for training in good standing
  • US Citizen

Timelines

Application accepted September 1 - September 30
Application reviewed October 7 - October 25
Award notification and funds disbursement Fall Semester

AVMF/Arizona Veterinary Medical Association Scholarship

AVMF partners with the AzVMA to offer five $1,000 scholarships to veterinary students in good standing, who attend an AVMA accredited school in North America and have a connection to the state of Arizona.

  1. Criteria for Students with an Arizona Connection
    1. Open to third-year veterinary students in good standing at an AVMA accredited veterinary college in North America.
    2. A student member of the AzVMA
    3. Demonstrated connection to the state of Arizona (birth, residency, education, employment, etc.)
    4. Demonstrated academic excellence
    5. Demonstrated involvement in university affiliated organizations, including leadership responsibilities
    6. Demonstrated commitment to organized veterinary medicine
    7. Demonstrated financial need

The Michael and Gail Ames Scholarship, The Panzero Family Scholarship, Julie and Wayne Anderson Scholarship

  1. Additional Criteria for Students Who Plan to Practice in Arizona
    1. Michael and Gail Ames Scholarship - Open to students in good standing at an accredited veterinary college in Arizona. Preferred applicants will indicate an interest in rural practice in Arizona.
    2. The Panzero Family Scholarship - Open to students in good standing at an accredited veterinary college in Arizona who plan to practice in Arizona upon graduation.
    3. Julie and Wayne Anderson Scholarship – Open to students in good standing at any accredited veterinary college in North America and will demonstrate a commitment to practice in Arizona.
Note: All other criteria from above will apply.

Timelines

Application accepted March 1 - March 31
Application reviewed April 21, May 10
Award notification and funds disbursement Spring Semester

Auxiliary to the AVMA Legacy Endowed Scholarship

The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) is extremely proud to offer the Auxiliary to the AVMA Legacy Endowed Scholarship which was created in recognition of the AVMFs long standing relationship with the Auxiliary to the AVMA, a non-profit organization of veterinarians, associates, family and friends of the veterinary profession. Shortly after World War II, the Auxiliary started a student loan fund to assist with the hardships facing veterinary families due to injury or death from the war. In 2013 the Auxiliary transferred $2,000,000 to the AVMF to establish this scholarship program. Annual proceeds from the endowment will support veterinary student scholarships for many years to come.

$1,000 scholarships will be awarded to students meeting the eligibility criteria listed below at each of the AVMA accredited veterinary colleges in the United States, the Atlantic Veterinary College in Canada and St. George's University and Ross University in the Caribbean, the University of Glasgow and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies - The University of Edinburgh in Scotland, and the Royal Veterinary College – University of London in England.

Eligibility Criteria

  • 2nd or 3rd year veterinary student in good standing at an AVMA accredited school
  • Citizen of the United States
  • Minimum GPA of 2.5
  • Involvement in university affiliated organizations including leadership responsibilities
  • Leadership and participation in non-university activities
  • Financial need

Timelines

Application accepted September 1 - September 30
Application reviewed October 7 - October 25
Award notification and funds disbursement Fall Semester

Dechra Veterinary Products Veterinary Scholarship

The AVMF and Dechra Veterinary Products are offering fifteen $2500 dollar scholarships to students interested in equine sports medicine, internal medicine, or dermatology. Dechra Veterinary Products is a global specialist in veterinary pharmaceuticals and a global leader in veterinary endocrinology and topical dermatology, have a broad portfolio of analgesia, anesthetics and products for the treatment of pain, and are also recognized as innovators in other specializations such as the treatment of equine lameness and differentiated generics.

Eligibility Criteria
  • Must be in their clinical year of study at an AVMA Council on Education (CVM) accredited college in the United States.
  • Must be currently enrolled and in good standing with the CVM.
  • Must be in good academic standing, maintaining a passing grade point average.
  • Must have a demonstrated interest 1 of the following:
    • Equine sports medicine
    • Internal medicine
    • Dermatology

Timelines

Applications Open October 1, 2024
Applications Close October 30, 2024
Reviews Start November 1, 2024

Dechra Veterinary Products Veterinary Technician Scholarship

The AVMF and Dechra Veterinary Products are offering five $2,000 dollar scholarships to eligible veterinary technician students. Dechra Veterinary Products is a global specialist in veterinary pharmaceuticals and a global leader in veterinary endocrinology and topical dermatology, have a broad portfolio of analgesia, anesthetics, and products for the treatment of pain, and are also recognized as innovators in other specializations such as the treatment of equine lameness and differentiated generics.

Eligibility Criteria
  • Must be in their final year of study in a program accredited by the AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities.
  • Must be currently enrolled and in good standing with the accredited program.
  • Must be in good academic standing, maintaining a passing grade point average

Timelines

Applications Open October 1, 2024
Applications Close October 30, 2024
Reviews Start November 1, 2024

Large animal veterinarians are vital to a safe food supply in the U.S., and they are great contributors to the economic prosperity of rural communities. Durvet is looking to provide $1,000 scholarships to veterinary students that intend to work in a food animal practice upon graduation. Applicants with intentions of working in mixed animal practice in rural communities will also be considered.

Eligibility Criteria

  1. Must be a 2nd or 3rd-year veterinary student attending an AVMA-Council on Education accredited school of veterinary medicine located in the United States.
  2. Must be currently enrolled and in good academic standing.
  3. Demonstrate an intention to work in a food animal practice, a mixed animal practice, or in a rural community upon graduation.

Timelines

Application accepted September 1 - September 30
Application reviewed October 7 - October 25
Award notification and funds disbursement Fall Semester

The American Veterinary Medical Foundation partners with the Harold Wetterberg Foundation to award scholarships to current or former residents of New Jersey who are enrolled in the second or third year of the professional DVM curriculum. Typically scholarships range between $5,000 and $15,000. The scholarship is largely merit-based with some consideration given to financial need. The AVMF Scholarship Review Committee will select the most highly qualified finalists. Those names will be provided to the Board of Trustees of the Harold Wetterberg Foundation. The Board of Trustees will make the final selection from the pool of finalists.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must establish a connection to the state of New Jersey in one or more of the following ways:

  • Current or former resident
  • Graduation from a New Jersey High School
  • Graduation or attendance at a New Jersey College (preferred)
  • Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA at veterinary school and undergraduate school

Please note: Preference will be given to veterinary medical students who are enrolled in the second or later year of a dual degree program at a U.S. or Canadian college or school of veterinary medicine, department of veterinary science, or department of comparative medicine. Examples of dual degree programs includes DVM/PhD, DVM/MS, and DVM/MPH or equivalent degree.

Timelines

Applications accepted January 1 - March 15
Applications reviewed April - June
Award notification and funds disbursement July and August

Merck Animal Heath logo

Merck Animal Health and the AVMF are dedicated to preserving and improving the health and well-being of animals as well as honoring exceptional veterinary technician students. Merck Animal Health is proud to show its dedication by providing $2,000 scholarships to veterinary technician students in their final year and attending an AVMA-CVTEA accredited (Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities) school in the United States and Puerto Rico.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Veterinary technician students in good standing and in their final year of school at an AVMA-CVTEA accredited (Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities) school.
  • Merit based with some consideration for financial need.
  • Diversity considered.

Timelines

Application accepted August 1 - August 31
Application reviewed September 1 - September 30
Award notification and funds disbursement Fall Semester

The estate of Mildred Sylvester established an endowed scholarship that awards a $5,000 annual scholarship to an outstanding 1st, 2nd or 3rd year veterinary student with a connection to the state of New Jersey.

Eligibility Criteria

  • 1st, 2nd or 3rd year veterinary student in good standing at an AVMA accredited school in the United States
  • A connection to the state of New Jersey (birth, residency, education, etc.)
  • A demonstration of academic excellence
  • Involvement in university affiliated organizations including leadership responsibilities
  • Leadership and participation in non-university activities
  • Financial need

Timelines

Application accepted September 1 - September 30
Application reviewed October 7 - October 25
Award notification and funds disbursement Fall Semester

Merck Animal Heath logo

Merck Animal Health and the AVMF are dedicated to preserving and improving the health and well-being of animals as well as honoring exceptional veterinary students. Merck Animal Health is proud to show its dedication to veterinary students by providing $5000 scholarships to second and third year veterinary students attending accredited veterinary schools in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. 

Merck’s partnership with the AVMF over the last several years has provided scholarships for nearly over 400 veterinary students, many of whom, have gone on to become young leaders in the veterinary field.

Eligibility Criteria

  • 2nd or 3rd year veterinary student in good standing at an AVMA accredited school in the United States, Canada, or the Caribbean.
  • A demonstration of academic excellence
  • Involvement in university affiliated organizations including leadership responsibilities
  • Leadership and participation in non-university activities
  • Financial need

Timelines

Application accepted November 1 - November 30
Application reviewed December 5 - December 30
Award notification and funds disbursement Spring Semester

Disaster Grants

Disaster Grants for Veterinary Care of Animals Grant

Deadline to submit is NO LATER than 6 months post disaster. 

The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) Disaster Veterinary Medical Care Reimbursement is for Veterinarians for the purpose of ensuring the emergency veterinary medical care of animal victims (owned or unowned) of a disaster.

Eligibility Criteria

  1. Must be a licensed veterinarian.
  2. Must have provided for the veterinary medical care of animal victims of the disaster listed on the application.
  3. Applicant may not have received any disbursement from AVMF for disaster grant within 24 months prior to the submission of the current application.
  4. Applicant may not have previously received any disaster disbursement from the AVMF for the same disaster.
  5. Grants are awarded per clinic – not per veterinarian within the clinic. Only one application may be submitted per veterinary clinic. If multiple clinics owned by the same individual(s) are affected and more than one clinic provided emergency medical care, each clinic may submit its own application.
  6. A disaster would include, but is not limited to, flooding, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, volcanoes, wildfires or oil spills in an area that has been declared a disaster area at the local, county, state or federal level.

Application Procedure

The application must be completed in its entirety with all supplemental materials attached. To login into the application, simply click the "register" link at the top of the page to create your account credentials.

Applicants can request up to $5,000 in grant funds. Payments will be made by direct deposit upon submission of practice banking information via AVMF's secure online portal. No decision will be reached on an application until all requested information has been provided.

Applicant agrees to allow AVMF to use the information on this application for future solicitation of funds. No personal financial information will be disclosed. AVMF should receive acknowledgement for funding.

Additional Grant Details

  • AVMF grant funds may be used to cover the partial or total actual cost of the covered expenses above.
  • Funds are limited and will be approved on a first come, first served basis.

Disaster Relief Grants for Veterinary Professionals

Deadline to submit is NO LATER than 6 months post disaster. 

The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) Individual Disaster Grants are for the purpose of assisting those in the veterinary community and veterinary students who have experienced an emergency need for necessities due to a disaster.

The AVMF does not provide financial assistance for the repair or replacement of a personal dwelling or practice infrastructure, nor items that would normally be covered under the individual’s practice or homeowner’s insurance policies. These grants are intended to cover expenses incurred due to the emergency need for necessities and will not be approved to replace household or personal items. Grant funds also cannot be used to replace lost income.

Eligibility Criteria

  1. Must be a licensed veterinarian, veterinary technician, veterinary student, or staff member at a veterinary hospital.
  2. Must have incurred emergency expenses for necessities as a result of the disaster listed on the application, such as expenses related to food, bottled water, clothing, medication or medical supplies, toiletries, blankets, or temporary shelter.
  3. Applicant may not have previously received any disaster relief grant from the AVMF for the same disaster.
  4. Only one application may be submitted per individual. If multiple veterinarians within the same practice have been impacted by the disaster, each must submit a separate application.
  5. A disaster would include, but is not limited to, flooding, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, volcanoes, wildfires or oil spills in an area that has been declared a disaster area at the local, county, state or federal level.

Application Procedure

The application must be completed in its entirety with all supplemental materials attached. To login into the application, simply click the "register" link at the top of the page to create your account credentials. No decision will be reached on an application until all requested information has been provided.

Applicants can request up to $2,000 in grant funds. Payment for approved grants will be made by direct deposit upon submission of banking information via AVMF’s secure, online portal.

Additional Grant Details

  • AVMF grant funds may be used to cover the partial or total actual cost of the covered expenses above.
  • Funds are limited and will be approved on a first come, first served basis.

How to Apply

Application Process

1. Register

Click on the orange "Register" button located on the right side of the page to complete and submit the registration form.

2. Log in

Login to the Scholarship or Disaster grant with your email and password.

3. Create

Create your online application. Review and accept the eligibility requirements.

4. Save

Before the application deadline, your application can be saved as DRAFT until all the required information is completed. As each section is complete, you will see a appear in the category tab when the application is saved. Please ensure that all attachments are in Acrobat PDF format. At any time, you can download and print your application by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section.

5. Submit

On completion, save your Application as FINAL. Download and print a copy of your application for your records by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section in the right column.

Note: If an update is required prior to the Call for Application close, you can make the update and resave as FINAL.

Contact Us

American Veterinary Medical Foundation
1931 N. Meacham Rd. Suite 100
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Phone: 1-847-285-6690

Scholarship Email: scholarships@avma.org
Disaster Grant Email: disastergrants@avma.org

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