Morris Animal Foundation Veterinary Student Scholar (VSS) Program

PROGRAM SUMMARY

The Morris Animal Foundation Veterinary Student Scholar (VSS) program is a competitive program that provides veterinary students the opportunity to become involved in mentored research that advances the health and/or welfare of dogs, cats, horses or wildlife. The VSS program awards stipends up to $5,000 to veterinary students who are selected by their institution to participate in clinical or basic animal health research.

Morris Animal Foundation is committed to training the next generation of veterinary researchers. These awards are competitive and each institution is encouraged to select and submit the strongest student project based on scientific merit, potential animal health impact and opportunity for the student scholar to develop veterinary research skills. All proposals must adhere to Morris Animal Foundation’s guidelines and mission.

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE APPLICANT

• Only one VSS application per institution may be submitted to this Request for Proposals (RFP).
• Applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited veterinary medicine program (this does not need to be AVMA accreditation). Students enrolled in a combined DVM/PhD degree program are not eligible for this RFP.
• Applicants who have previously received a VSS stipend are not eligible to apply.
• Applicants must have the support of a mentor qualified to guide the proposed research project.

PROJECT CRITERIA

• Mission Adherence: Projects must advance the science of canine, feline, equine or wildlife health. Projects oriented toward human health and production animal health do not fall within Morris Animal Foundation’s mission and are not accepted.
• Health Study Policy: Projects must adhere to Morris Animal Foundation’s Health Study Policy for Animals Involved in Research. Please note that terminal studies or data/samples sourced from them will not be accepted for this particular request for proposals. This includes animals that have been hunted or trapped.
• Budget: The stipend cannot exceed $5,000 and funds can be used only for student support during the research project. Funds cannot be used for project expenses such as travel, publication costs or indirect costs.
• Duration: Project duration is typically 2 – 3 months.
• Parachute Science: Morris Animal Foundation discourages the practice of parachute science. Research projects occurring in a different country to that where the student is enrolled must involve a mentor in that country.
• Environmental Impacts: We strive to ensure that grant-supported research does not have a detrimental effect on our planet, including eliminating or reducing travel and choosing options with as low a carbon footprint as possible.
• COVID-19: Impacts of the ongoing pandemic must be detailed and accounted for in the study design.

For more information and application: https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/sites/default/files/filesync/VSS-Guidelines.pdf

Applications are due on 09th December 2022