Student AVMA (SAVMA)

SAVMA awards & scholarships

On this page you will find listings of all Awards and Scholarships provided by the SAVMA House of Delegates Committees. For more information on any of these grants or applications, please contact the specific committee contact information provided below.

*SAVMA grant award recipients accumulating over $600 in stipends (for non-reimbursable events) in a calendar year, will be subject to taxes on funds received. Please consider discussing these tax implications with a tax professional before applying.

Jump to a specific committee award list here:

Animal Welfare and Environmental Stewardship Committee Awards

Education and Professional Development Committee Awards

Governmental Affairs Committee Awards

Integrative Communications and Diversity Committee Awards

International Veterinary Experience Committee Awards

Public Health and Community Outreach Committee Awards

SAVMA Wellbeing Committee Awards

 

AVMF Veterinary Student Scholarship Opportunities

Animal Welfare and Environmental Stewardship Committee Awards

For questions or to submit an application, contact: savma [dot] awescatgmail [dot] com (savma[dot]awesc[at]gmail[dot]com)

Application Amount Deadline

AWESC Human-Animal Bond Grant

4 grants of $500 each 1/30/2023

The purpose of this grant is to recognize projects that meet the following criteria: present a sustainable and/or far-reaching project that demonstrates clear benefit to the humans and animals involved, enhance the education of veterinary students in tangible ways, provide a platform for veterinary professionals to be involved meaningfully in the local community, and to benefit as many SAVMA members as possible. This grant it not intended to fund individuals or travel expenses.

AWESC Animal Welfare Grant

4 grants at $500 each 1/30/2023

The Educational Lecture Grant will be awarded to help defray expenses for special lectures to veterinary students/organizations on topics related to animal welfare and/or the human-animal bond. This is not intended as funding for individual students or student travel, although it may be used for speaker travel expenses.

AWESC Travel Grant 7 grants of $500 each 4/1/2023-5/31/2023

The purpose of this grant is to reimburse SAVMA members who have attended a convention, conference, or educational trip related to animal welfare and/or the human-animal bond within the past fiscal year(August 2022-August 2023).

AWESC Environmental Awareness Grant 3 grants of $500 each 4/1/2023-6/15/2023
This grant allows for current SAVMA members to reach out and initiate environmental projects, engage in research, or attend conservation related events/meetings.

 

Education and Professional Development Committee Awards

For questions or to submit an application, contact: savma [dot] epdcatgmail [dot] com (savma[dot]epdc[at]gmail[dot]com)

Application Amount Deadline
SAVMA Externship Grant 14 awards at $300 offered per cycle Spring cycle:
1/1/2024-5/10/2024
Externships are an extremely important aspect of a veterinary student's learning experience. In addition to providing opportunities for students to see medicine at work outside of their veterinary schools, externships also help students build their skill sets from clinician's in different areas across the country.
Economics Initiative Essay Contest 2 awards at $500 2/1/2024

Economic stress is a major challenge for students entering the veterinary profession. In an essay, 500 words or less, please suggest an actionable solution for SAVMA which will help alleviate student financial stress. Examples might include new student programs, political advocacy or increased educational outreach.

Extracurricular Funding Fall Grant Application

3 awards at up to $500

Fall:
12/3/2022
This grant is for any student organization or club who designs a lecture and/or wet lab for a topic to which students would not be otherwise be exposed. The EPDC recognizes the important skills students learn from these organizations and this grant is to encourage more creative and innovative ways to deliver these supplemental educational activities to their members (virtually or in-person).
Teaching Excellence Award $300 to student author of winning entry and SAVMA chapter will receive a stipend to host an awards ceremony to honor the teacher that is chosen. 12/1/2023

This award recognizes outstanding teachers in our profession who deserve to be recognized for their impact on veterinary students. The SAVMA Chapter that is associated with the submission will receive a stipend to host an awards ceremony to honor the teacher that is chosen. To encourage well written nominations, an award will be given to the student author of the winning entry.

NAVLE Student - Package Grant

(include your SAVMA ID in submission)
10 awards at $300 each 12/31/2023
This award is for students in their 3rd or 4th year of vet school preparing for the NAVLE. Even if you have already purchased a NAVLE study package, you can be reimbursed up to $300. **If you are selected as a recipient - proof of purchase of a NAVLE study package will be required to receive your scholarship.** Application opens Oct 1, 2023.
Retrospective Conference Travel Grant Application 6 awards of $300 each 10/31/2023
The Retrospective Travel Grant offset costs to students who have attended a veterinary conference between August 1, 2022 to July 31, 2023. Awards are available to any SAVMA member. Application is due October 31, 2023 at 7pm EST.
Language Grant 5 awards at $200 5/12/2023
The purpose of this grant is to support veterinary students in mitigating the financial costs of studying any foreign language or American Sign Language. The grant may be used for any language courses, exam applications, textbooks, overseas experience or other learning materials dedicated to learning a language at any level.
 

Governmental Affairs Committee Awards

For questions or to submit an application, contact: gac [dot] savma15atgmail [dot] com (gac[dot]savma15[at]gmail[dot]com)

Application Amount Deadline
Government, Policy, and Public Health Travel Grant 7 grants at $500 5/1/2024

These grants assist with the cost of attending government focused conferences, externships, or other unique experiences related to public policy. This grant will be awarded twice yearly with applications open from November 1-December 1, and April 1-May 31.

 

Integrative Communications and Diversity Committee Awards

For questions or to submit an application, contact: SAVMA [dot] ICDCatgmail [dot] com (SAVMA[dot]ICDC[at]gmail[dot]com)

Application Amount Deadline
Empowering Diversity in Veterinary Medicine Grant $250-$500 3/15/2024
The goal of this grant is to encourage veterinary students to engage in dialogue about diversity and inclusion among all members of their school and beyond through various activities and programs. It will be awarded to deserving individuals or groups who host a diversity-based activity that facilitates conversation and awareness about diversity and inclusion in veterinary medicine. The scope of the grant is not limited to cultural diversity and may include factors such as ethnicity, economic status, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs.
Travel Grant Supporting Diversity and Communications Up to 5 grants at $200 each Cycle 1:
8/1/2022-9/15/2022

Cycle 2:
2/1/2023-3/30/2023
This grant is for deserving individuals who have attended or wish to attend a meeting or event that promotes diversity and/or communication within the veterinary profession. Also for minority veterinary students who have attended or wish to attend an externship to assist with travel expenses.
Communications Development Grant 5 grants between $250-$500

Cycle 1:
9/15/2022-10/30/2022

Cycle 2:
2/1/2023-3/15/2023

The goal of this grant is to encourage the development and discussion of communication in veterinary medicine. Both individual students and chapters may apply for events that have already occurred or are scheduled to take place.
Purdue Diversity Certificate Grant Application 10 - $100 (for course fees)

Cycle 1:
9/1/2022-10/15/2022

Cycle 2:
3/1/2023-5/15/2023

The goal of the Purdue Certificate Grant is to make the Purdue Certificate Program more accessible to students. Purdue University, through the Center of Excellence for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine, presents online professional certificate programs designed for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, educators, students, and staff who seek to improve their communication, leadership, teaching/learning, and cultural competency skills.
Equity in Veterinary Medicine Grant
Cycle 1 application (September 1st - January 31st)
Cycle 2 application (February 1st - July 31st)
Up to $100 Cycle 1:
7/31/2024

Cycle 2:
1/31/2025
The primary goal of this grant is to support the development of more equity in veterinary medicine by providing Black students and underrepresented groups with the funds to join organizations with opportunities for professional development, networking, mentorship, conferences, and community. This grant will be on rolling submission and will close once funds are used up per cycle.
I'm First Essay Contest $250 7/15/2024
The goal of the I'm First Essay Contest is to provide support to first-generation veterinary students based on their experiences as a first-generation student. This grant will open once annually on March 1 and close on July 15. Previous winners are not eligible to apply.

 

International Veterinary Experience Committee Awards

For questions or to submit an application, contact: ivecscholarshipsatgmail [dot] com (ivecscholarships[at]gmail[dot]com)

Application Amount Deadline
International Veterinary Experience Scholarship Application Cycle 1 8 awards of $1,000 each 3/29/2024
at 11:59 p.m. CST

This scholarship is for deserving SAVMA members who demonstrate a strong desire to participate in a veterinary-related international experience from January 1 - June 30, 2024. This scholarship will uphold the mission of IVEC, which is to promote the advancement of veterinary education and animal welfare throughout the world. Please contact the IVEC Committee Chair at ivec [dot] chairatgmail [dot] com (ivec[dot]chair[at]gmail[dot]com) with any questions/concerns.

2024 IVEC Local Chapter Support Grant 8 awards of $250 each 3/1/2024
at 11:59 p.m. EST

This application will award IVSA SAVMA Chapters that demonstrate financial need and offer a valuable plan to improve and strengthen their Local IVSA Chapter.

72nd IVSA Congress Travel Grant Two awards at $2,000 each 6/30/2023
at 11:59 p.m. EST

Applicants must apply and be selected to represent IVSA USA at the 72nd IVSA Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark. Please contact the IVEC Committee Chair at ivec [dot] chairatgmail [dot] com with any questions/concerns.

 

Public Health and Community Outreach Committee Awards

For questions or to submit an application, contact: savma [dot] phcocatgmail [dot] com (savma[dot]phcoc[at]gmail[dot]com)

Application Amount Deadline
Faculty Community Outreach Grant $300 reward for student nominator and $500 to the SAVMA chapter or school of the nominee for a celebration in nominee's honor. 12/20/2024

The Faculty Community Outreach Award nomination is intended for students to publicly acknowledge how faculty members, clinicians, etc. in the veterinary field have gone above and beyond their own professional responsibilities and duties to interact with and make a difference in the local/global community.

Underserved Areas Grant 4 awards of up to $500 each will be distributed retroactively for externships completed between 4/1/2023 - 3/31/2024 6/19/2024

The Underserved Areas grant aims to help SAVMA members that assist in an underserved area in the US or internationally. The grant can be used for veterinary supplies, travel or public education purposes.

CDC Public Health Essay Contest 10 grants for $200 each 3/1/2023

This grant is meant to promote interest in public health and support SAVMA members considering a career in public health.

Community Outreach Grant Application Eight awards up to $500 3/31/2024

The Community Outreach Grant aims to help SAVMA members to integrate community service with the veterinary profession. This grant will help fund community service projects that a SAVMA member coordinates within their local community. The grant will be awarded on the years opposite of CDC Day Travel Grant.

One Health Grand Challenge Three $1700 grants 10/20/2023

The One Health Grand Challenge aims to push students to incorporate One Health domains in an educational program to reach a large audience. We also encourage working with other fields outside of veterinary medicine, as collaboration across fields is at the core of One Health.

Research in Public Health Grant Two $500 grants 5/15/2023
This grant supports and encourages current SAVMA members to participate in research projects related to the public health field by providing further funds to compensate for associated expenses.
SAVMA Continuing Education Grant Grant ranges from $312-$1,250 not to exceed four grants 6/15/2023
This grant aims to encourage SAVMA members to participate in coursework or certification programs outside of the veterinary curriculum.

 

SAVMA Wellbeing Committee Awards

For questions or to submit an application, contact: savmawellbeingatgmail [dot] com (savmawellbeing[at]gmail[dot]com)

Application Amount Deadline
Champion of Student Wellbeing Grant $500 for local SAVMA Chapter for an event and $300 for student submission effort Fall cycle:
10/15/2023
Spring cycle:
3/15/2023-4/30/2023
This award recognizes and acknowledges a faculty or staff member who go above and beyond to promote student wellbeing at their institutions especially during these trying times where mental, physical, spiritual and emotional health are of vital importance. This may include, but is not limited to, promoting mental, physical, spiritual and emotional intelligence amongst their students, creation or support of wellbeing initiatives and programming at their institutions, or serving as a role model that demonstrates the importance of self-care.
Health and Disability Scholarship 4 awards of $1,000 each 2/15/2023

This annual award will be granted to a deserving SAVMA member who carries the extra burden of a mental illness, learning disability, physical disability, or chronic disease during their time as a veterinary student. Applicants are required to submit a letter explaining what this scholarship would mean to them and the management of their health hardship. Disclosure of condition is not required.

Second Chance Grant 3 Grants of $500 each 2/4/2024 at 11:59 p.m. EST

This grant is to assist students who are/were on academic probation, remediating, or in the process of appealing. There will be one recipient for this grant. Eligible students must explain academic situation and financial need. Financial need may include: rent, groceries, mental health resources, tutoring or other form of learning assistance, or any other living expenses.

Wellbeing Support Fund Up to $1,000/cycle Fall Cycle:
9/1/2023-12/31/2023

Summer Cycle:
3/1/2023-6/15/2023
This award offers funding to veterinary students and veterinary school organizations that wish to promote physical, mental, and emotional health at their college of veterinary medicine. Applicants may apply either to be reimbursed for a project retroactively or proactively.
LGBTQ+ Wellbeing Grant Two $500 grants in two different cycles Spring Cycle:
1/31/2024-3/15/2024

Fall Cycle:
9/1/2023-10/15/2023
The SAVMA Wellbeing Committee would like to acknowledge and assist individuals or clubs involved with support of the LGBTQ+ community. This grant provides funds to individuals or groups who are hosting events, disseminating information, or otherwise supporting the LGBTQ+ community. This is to foster positivity and communication among LGBTQ+ community members and allies.