Veterinary scholarships for animal welfare

The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA) has announced its 2024 Compassionate Care Veterinary Student Scholarships (CCVSS) which will be awarded to 5 veterinary students who are currently in their first, second, or third years at an American Veterinary Medical Association-accredited veterinary school in the US, Canada, the Caribbean, or the United Kingdom. Students who (1) demonstrate an interest in animal welfare, animal rights, or animal protection issues and (2) represent a commitment to equitable access and inclusion in veterinary medicine via service or lived experience will be under consideration to receive $10,000.¹

According to the HSVMA, the organization aims to use its expertise and resources to advance animal welfare via leadership, advocacy, education, and service in the veterinary field.

Special consideration will be given to students who can demonstrate that they volunteer, work within, or otherwise serve underserved and marginalized communities. Additional consideration will also be given to applicants who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color as these individuals are underrepresented in the veterinary field. The HSVMA cited Zippia, a career expertise company, to demonstrate the underrepresentation in the veterinary profession. According to data from Zippia, the most common ethnicity of veterinarians is White (83.1%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (6.1%), Asian (4.8%), Unknown (4.3%), and Black or African American (1.4%).²

Some general submission requirements for students interested in applying for the CCVSS include the following¹:

• GPA and academic history information
• 2 letters of recommendation (one letter must be written by a faculty member or clinician employed at the veterinary school you are attending)
• Statement of intent which demonstrates interest in animal welfare and service or experience with equitable access to care for underserved communities
• Financial information (expected debt burden)
• Any professional and volunteer activities

The deadline to apply is June 30, 2024, and to access the scholarship application, you must first join as a student member. Student membership is free through the first year of graduation. The scholarships will be granted by August 31, 2024.¹

References

1. HSVMA Compassionate Care Veterinary Student Scholarships. Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association. Accessed June 4, 2024. https://www.hsvma.org/hsvma-compassionate-care-scholarship
2. Veterinarian demographics and statistics in the US. Zippia. Accessed June 4, 2024. https://www.zippia.com/veterinarian-jobs/demographics/