In addition to the VRSP, there are several other sources of possible funding that are great CV builders. The Morris Animal Foundation program is open to all and the BI and AVMF awards are restricted to individuals who have previously done the VRSP (SENIOR SCHOLAR APPLICANTS – PLEASE CONSIDER APPLYING FOR THESE!). NOTE that you can apply to both the VRSP and one or more of the below so that plans A, B, C, etc. in place.
1) The Morris Animal Foundation Veterinary Student Scholars Program (see https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/veterinary-student-scholars and https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/sites/default/files/filesync/VSS-Guidelines.pdf) for information). This program provides VM1-VM3 students the opportunity to explore clinical or basic animal health and/or welfare research. Only certain types of projects apply so be sure to read the web page information / instructions thoroughly. The Morris Veterinary Student Scholar Program will be open for applications on September 19, 2022, and the internal application deadline will be November 18. A second application round will open in the winter/spring of 2023 (dates TBD). All VRSP candidates are eligible and senior scholar candidates with Morris-relevant projects are heavily encouraged to apply (applications can occur during or after the VRSP application process). MU can only submit one application. If there is more than one proposal, we will have an internal review committee select one for each award.
2) Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Research Scholars Award (for previous VRSP participants). The recipient will receive $1500 cash and a travel stipend to present their work and be recognized at the 2023 National Veterinary Symposium – see BI Veterinary Research Scholars Award. Deadline is December 30, 2022. MU can submit multiple applications.
3) AVMF scholarship (for previous VRSP participants) – 2nd Opportunity Summer Research Scholarship is intended to provide support for students who have previously conducted a summer research project and are seeking to gain a second summer of research experience. See https://www.avmf.org/programs/2nd-opportunity-research-scholarship/ for information and application requirements. Internal deadline is Jan 4, 2023; MU can only submit one application. If there is more than one proposal, we will have an internal review committee select one for each award.
4) In the past, Maddie’s Fund (https://www.maddiesfund.org/who-we-are.htm), Purina (https://www.nestlejobs.com/) and FFAR (https://foundationfar.org/grants-funding/open-opportunities/) have had student grants, but we have not seen any recent announcements. Keep an eye out for emails about these and other opportunities.
THERE MAY BE OTHERS – WORK WITH MENTORS TO IDENTIFY GRANT OPPORTUNITIES IN THEIR AREAS.
If you intend to apply for an AVMF scholarship or Morris grant, please let Craig Franklin and Sherri Oliver (soliver@missouri.edu) know ASAP. NOTE – you can apply for multiple grants and the VRSP!
Basic steps to pursuing an AVMF or Morris Animal Foundation award:
1) As stated above the golden rules of grantsmanship are to read the directions, read them again and read them throughout the process!!
2) Identify a mentor (can be the same as your previous mentor or a new one). Indicate to your mentor that you are interested in pursuing an AVMF or Morris award and ask if they would be willing to help you prepare a proposal. Provide the information about the award and indicate that this program pays your stipend for a 10–12-week program equivalent. Your mentor will need to provide lab space, supplies and a letter of endorsement, your studies will need IACUC approval, and the CVM will need to provide a letter indicating that you are in good academic standing (Morris) or I will need to provide an endorsement letter (AVMF).
3) By the deadline above submit your proposal to Craig Franklin (franklinc@missouri.edu). These proposals must be processed and submitted through the MU Office of Sponsored Programs Administration (OSPA), and they need 5 business days to review and process.
4) If you have questions about the process, please contact Sherri Oliver in the MU CVM Research Office. Please DO NOT CONTACT AVMF or the Morris Animal Foundation directly.
5) If you pursue any of the above awards, we also encourage you to participate in the Veterinary Research Scholarship Program. For first time participants, this will include participating in the Foundations of Veterinary Research and Discovery course as well as all of the VRSP activities. Second time participants will act as senior scholars and help guide your VRSP peers. You will essentially be a VRSP scholar with a stipend from AVMF, Morris or other sources. If you wish to participate in the VRSP, it will be important to inform your prospective mentor that this is your goal. The VRSP will support your activities including travel to the national VRSP symposium (not the same meeting as the Morris Animal Foundation symposium).
6) For non-Missouri residents, I’m 99.99% certain that this stipend will apply to getting Missouri residency.
7) If you are funded, work with Sherri to navigate the MU grant system.