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: You can apply to both the VRSP and one or more of the opportunities below so that plans A, B, C, etc. are in place. Keep an eye out for emails announcing these funding calls each year, but here are some general guidelines.
1) The Morris Animal Foundation Veterinary Student Scholars Program. 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 webpage information/instructions thoroughly. The Morris Veterinary Student Scholar Program usually has two opportunities per year; one opens in the fall (Oct./Nov.) with internal deadlines in Dec. The second opens in the spring (March/April) with internal deadlines in May. 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). Mizzou can only submit two applications. If there are more than two, we will have an internal review committee select two proposals to proceed.
2) Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Research Scholars Award (for previous VRSP participants). The recipient will receive $1,500 cash and a travel stipend to present their work and be recognized at the National Veterinary Symposium – see BI Veterinary Research Scholars Award. Deadline is usually early October. Mizzou 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 2nd Opportunity Research Scholarship – AVMF for information and application requirements. Internal deadline is usually mid-December; Mizzou can only submit one application. If there is more than one proposal, we will have an internal review committee select one for each award. Submit your proposal to Craig Frankin to be considered.
4) In the past, Maddie’s Fund, Nestle and FFAR have had student grants. Keep an eye out for emails about these and other opportunities. Michigan State also has a nice web page with other opportunities that might be of interest.
5) Keep an eye out for Phi Zeta grants from the CVM as well. These grants support meeting travel and publication costs (not stipends for summer programs), making them a nice adjunct opportunity and a good writing experience. Announcements and deadlines are typically in the fall.
There might be others. Work with mentors to identify grant opportunities in their areas. You can also search the pivot funding opportunities database.
If you intend to apply for an AVMF scholarship or Morris grant, please let VRSP Program Directors and Sherri Oliver 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 are 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).
4) If you have questions about the process, please contact Sherri Oliver in the Mizzou CVM Research Office. Do not contact the 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 and all VRSP activities. Second time participants will act as senior scholars and help guide their VRSP peers. They will essentially be a VRSP scholar with a stipend from AVMF, Morris or other sources. If you wish to participate in the VRSP, it is 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, we are 99.99% certain that this stipend will apply to getting Missouri residency.
7) If you are funded, work with Sherri to navigate the Mizzou grant system.