Besides disaster relief and animal health studies, one of the American Veterinary Medical Foundation's missions is to help provide educational opportunities to those in the veterinary profession.

This year, through its annual veterinary student scholarship program, the Foundation will award 20 scholarships at $1,000 each to Student AVMA members enrolled in their first, second, or third year at an AVMA-accredited veterinary college or school in the United States. Additional scholarships may be available.

Students are encouraged to consider traditional and nontraditional careers as they move forward in their education, to understand the many options that the veterinary profession offers. In keeping with the mission of the AVMF, preference will be given to students interested in pursuing a career in certain areas. These include, but are not limited to animal health studies, shelter medicine, disaster preparedness and response, laboratory animal medicine, food animal medicine, or practicing in underserved communities.

Once again, applications can be found at www.avmf.org, under "Grant Seeking." Applications are due by May 15; recipients will be notified by letter by Sept. 15.

For more information, contact Monique Buonincontro, AVMF grants coordinator, at (800) 248-2862, Ext. 6691, or mbuonincontro@avma.org.