New scholarship supports aspiring veterinarians before vet school

Antech, a veterinary diagnostics company, and Vet Set Go, an early-pipeline platform for aspiring veterinarians, have announced the launch of the Antech Veterinary Futures Scholarship¹—a new program with annual intention that is aimed at supporting aspiring veterinarians who are exploring the profession.

In its first year, the program takes a different approach from many other scholarships available to those interested in the veterinary profession, which are typically only open to students already enrolled in or accepted to a veterinary program. The Antech Veterinary Futures Scholarship is aimed at individuals earlier in the process who could become the next generation of veterinary students.

“What I’ve seen with this program is even if they don’t become a veterinarian, they’ll become a veterinary technician. Even if they don’t become a veterinary technician, they usually become the best pet owners out there that really understand the value of veterinary medicine and taking care of their pet to make sure they live a long, happy life,” Tammi Lesser, LVT, Regional President, North America, Mars Science & Diagnostics, said in a video published by Antech.²

The scholarship will award 5 students $1000 each to help offset educational costs, including books, supplies, and equipment.¹ Winners will also receive mentorship through a series of one-on-one coaching sessions with veterinary leaders from Antech. Recipients will be announced every 2 months beginning in August 2026.¹

Rather than requiring a separate application, the program is built around documented hands-on experience. To be considered, students must join the Vet Set Go community, download the Vet Volunteer app, and log volunteer and shadowing hours within the platform.² Once a student meets the minimum hour threshold for eligibility, selection prioritizes the quality of that experience over the quantity of hours. Specifically, the scholarship looks for consistency of engagement and reflective entries demonstrating clinical observation and an understanding of diagnostic decision-making.¹

The initiative’s launch comes during a season when many high school and undergraduate students tend to pursue clinical volunteering and shadowing opportunities.

The program’s structure seems to address broader competitive pressures facing prospective veterinary students. A 2022 report from the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges found that applicants for the Class of 2026 had logged thousands of hours of combined animal and veterinary experience, illustrating how demanding the path to veterinary school has become.^1,3

"Long before most people see it, aspiring veterinarians are already doing the work: volunteering, shadowing, and learning alongside the animals and people who care for them," Christopher Carpenter, DVM, MBA, founder and president of Vet Set Go, said in a news release announcing the program’s launch.¹ "This partnership with Antech is about changing that. Together, we are recognizing these future veterinarians, celebrating their commitment, and letting them know they are not alone. We see them, we support them, and we believe in their future."

References

1. Antech launches the Antech Veterinary Futures Scholarship for aspiring veterinary professionals in partnership with Vet Set Go. Antech Diagnostics. April 21, 2026. Accessed April 22, 2026. https://www.antechdiagnostics.com/2026/04/21/antech-launches-the-antech-veterinary-futures-scholarship-for-aspiring-veterinary-professionals-in-partnership-with-vet-set-go/
2. Antech Veterinary Futures Scholarship. Antech Diagnostics. Accessed April 22, 2026. https://www.antechdiagnostics.com/antech-veterinary-futures-scholarship/
3. Annual data report 2021-2022. Washington, DC: American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges; April 2022. Accessed April 22, 2026. https://www.aavmc.org/resources/public-data/