The VRSP Program accepts all interested students, as our primary goal is to expose veterinary students to research opportunities and to build a strong community of veterinary research scientists. However, conducting research and providing summer fellowships requires funding, and available resources are limited.

The application process is therefore used to determine which students can be supported with VRSP fellowship funds. Even if a student is not selected for a VRSP-funded fellowship, they might still be able to participate in a research experience. Some students choose to volunteer in a laboratory, and in other cases, faculty members might fund student fellowships independently, either full- or part-time. With the permission of the faculty member supporting the position, these students can also participate in VRSP activities.

Grades are not the most important criterion, but they are an important consideration. This is primarily because VRSP funding requires participation in the Foundations in Veterinary Research and Discovery course, which involves an additional time commitment, along with the extra time typically needed to complete a research project and present it at the CVM Research Day during your second year.

If a student is struggling with the veterinary curriculum in the first year, we do not want to add additional responsibilities in the second year. While we recognize that grades are not always the best indicator of whether a student will be a strong VRSP fellow, success in veterinary school must remain the top priority. As a result, we become concerned when a student’s GPA falls below 3.0.

Out-of-state students might appear more motivated to participate in VRSP, possibly because earning income can help them qualify for in-state tuition in the following year. However, state of residence has no impact on the VRSP selection process.

No. Some, but not all, VRSP funds must be dedicated to students seeking their first research experience. As a result, there is an emphasis on first-time research participation, but the program values a mix of experience levels overall.

The letter of reference is an important part of the evaluation process. Letters are most helpful when they come from CVM faculty who know you well and with whom you have discussed your goals and aspirations for the VRSP program. Letters that focus only on your coursework at the CVM are less useful to the evaluation committee.

Alternatively, you can submit a letter from a previous mentor who can speak to your research interests. In these cases, it is important that outside letters address your motivation for research rather than simply reporting your grades in a class.

Very important!

No, although it helps the selection committee match accepted students with mentors since they are both excited and motivated about working together.

We make every effort to find funding for as many students as possible and to stretch available resources as far as we can. In recent years, approximately two-thirds of applicants have received VRSP fellowships, with several additional students supported directly by their mentors. This percentage might change as the number of applicants increases and available funding remains limited.

No problem. We strongly encourage you to speak with a few potential mentors before applying to learn more about their research interests and to see how well your goals align. These conversations can also lead to a pre-match.

If you are unsure at the time of application, you can list up to four mentors whose work interests you, and we will do our best to match you with one of them. In the bigger picture, the specific mentor you are matched with is less important than the opportunity to gain research experience. Working outside your comfort zone can often be especially valuable and enriching.

Yes. VRSP scholars from Mizzou are required to enroll in and attend the Foundations in Veterinary Research and Discovery course. Exceptions may be made for pre-vet scholars or VM2 students if scheduling conflicts with other courses exist.

The foundations course introduces key research concepts, such as hypothesis testing, as well as methods including statistics and graphing, during the academic year. This preparation allows students to be ready to begin their research projects once summer begins. Scholars from institutions other than Mizzou will begin participation in the course upon arrival and are not required to enroll.

Yes, although the only way you will not do well is if you do not attend.

You will receive guidelines, both before and during the Foundations in Veterinary Research and Discovery course, outlining how to begin your research activities. The single most important step is to establish expectations and set a regular weekly meeting time with your mentor. Use this time to get to know your mentor and to begin brainstorming ideas for your research project.

Weekly meetings with your mentor provide an opportunity for both you and your mentor to assess where you are in the research area. Your mentor will not expect you to already know how to perform specific methods. Instead, they will look for any background you have and suggest readings or resources to help you understand the concepts underlying your research project. This kind of “checking in” is a normal part of the research process and is not a test, but rather a way to determine the best place to begin.

In some cases, it may be possible to spend a few hours each week in the laboratory before the summer begins, shadowing other laboratory personnel to learn techniques. You should also expect that laboratory staff could play a significant role in your training. Researchers rely on graduate students, technicians and postdoctoral fellows to help keep laboratories running while they attend meetings and teach classes, and these individuals are often key contributors to hands-on training.

No. You will be assigned a project. In most cases, it will be part of a larger, ongoing research effort within the laboratory. Research is typically carried out in smaller, focused pieces, with the goal that these individual components eventually come together to create broader understanding and meaningful results.

This depends on the laboratory, the specific project and your level of independence. Some projects are best completed by one person from start to finish, while others require a team because certain tasks simply need more than two hands. For example, a procedure such as castrating a pig may involve a team of researchers for part of the process, while only one person may be needed to process the tissue samples.

In some cases, tissue samples might be shared among multiple laboratories, with different researchers studying distinct components of the project and meeting regularly to share data and discuss findings. There are many ways to conduct research, so flexibility is important.

Time commitments vary widely depending on the laboratory and the needs of your specific project. Expectations should be discussed with your mentor at the outset. However, if an experiment is not completed by 5 p.m., you should expect to stay and finish it, particularly if stopping would result in the loss of data. Some procedures might also require work outside of standard business hours. The VRSP is a full-time commitment.

No. Students sometimes become concerned when it appears that another scholar is working more or fewer hours than they are. In reality, research does not follow a fixed schedule, and time commitments vary widely depending on the project. For example, a student studying nocturnal behavior may work a few hours during the day and several hours at night.

Because of these differences, it is not possible to fairly compare workloads across projects. The expectation is that each student focuses on doing their best work on their own project rather than comparing hours with others. The program does not evaluate students based on direct comparisons of time spent.

Because the summer research period is short and time in the laboratory is critical, we discourage students from taking extended time off for vacations. However, we recognize that important events, such as weddings or family commitments, may be scheduled well in advance. Any time away must be approved by your mentor, and a VRSP Leave Form and Plan for Make-Up must be submitted.

No. The VRSP is a full-time commitment.

Students who are interested in research are often the same high-achieving students who want to participate in VET orientation or who are active in multiple, time-intensive student organizations. We recognize and value that level of engagement. However, we ask that students limit their involvement in other activities during the summer and dedicate themselves to the VRSP experience. For many students, this might be the only opportunity to participate fully in a research program during veterinary school.

Yes. In the past, VRSP fellowships have counted toward out-of-state residency applications. Each time you are paid during the summer, you will receive an email from Mizzou accounting confirming that your payment has been deposited into your checking account.

When you petition for residency, the residency office requires two forms of documentation to verify your employment income:

1. The payment confirmation emails you receive from Mizzou accounting, and
2. Your bank statements showing each payment deposited into your account.

More information about gaining Missouri residency can be found on the Missouri Residency website. You can also contact Shelly Nail with questions.

You will be paid three times during the summer, with the third and final payment contingent upon your mentor’s approval. You are not considered an employee, so you will not receive a W-2. Instead, you will receive a 1099 from Mizzou accounting in February following your participation in the program. This form will report your total earnings from VRSP.

You are responsible for tracking the payments you receive, determining their taxability and reporting them appropriately on your tax return. If you have questions, you are encouraged to work with an accountant, tax professional, or tax preparation service. MU Extension often offers free tax preparation assistance. To find a location, visit http://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/.

All travel and housing expenses are paid for by VRSP.

Your mentor pays all the expenses associated with your research project including the costs of making a poster. When you meet with your mentor, costs of research might be one topic for discussion.

Yes. The program includes sessions on how to create a research poster, and you will receive substantial guidance from CVM postdoctoral fellows, past VRSP fellows, and other laboratory personnel.