FFAR & AAVMC Open Applications for 2023 FFAR Vet Fellows

Veterinarians with experience in medicine, animal sciences and public health add unique perspectives to solving critical food and agriculture challenges. To support the development of future veterinary researchers, the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) are seeking applications for FFAR’s Veterinary Student Research Fellowships (FFAR Vet Fellows), a fellowship supporting veterinary student research at the interface of food-animal production.

Veterinary science is critical to solving challenges affecting nutritional security, environmental sustainability and public health. However, most fellowships available to veterinary students are limited to traditional biomedical research, with limited opportunity to conduct research outside that scope. To ensure students are aware of the numerous opportunities for veterinarians, FFAR and AAVMC established the FFAR Vet Fellows in 2018 to support veterinary student research ranging from climate change to pandemic prevention. The three-month fellowship prepares fellows for multi-faceted careers in science and public service. The fellows complete their research with a qualified mentor and present their findings at the annual Veterinary Scholars Symposium.

Veterinary research impacts public health, food safety, animal welfare and the environment. The FFAR Vet Fellows program better prepares the future veterinary workforce to expand their horizons and conduct audacious research that tackles critical food and agriculture challenges.

NIKKI DUTTA Interim Scientific Program Director for Advanced Animal Systems

The 2023 FFAR Vet Fellows program is providing a $10,000 stipend for up to 15 students to perform research including, but not limited to agricultural economics; nutritional security and food access; environmental sustainability of agriculture; advanced technologies; zoonotic diseases and pandemic prevention; and antimicrobial stewardship.

This fellowship is open to domestic and international students currently enrolled in a DVM or VMD degree program who are conducting research with a qualified mentor at an AAVMC member institution. Students do not need to have prior research experience, and matching funds are not required for this program. Students from historically underrepresented backgrounds in agriculture are strongly encouraged to apply.

The deadline to submit applications is April 12, 2023. Program directors at colleges of veterinary medicine are not required to submit student nominations, and there is no restriction on the number of applicants per institution. Information about this program and the application process is available on the Vet Fellows webpage.

“Collaborating with FFAR to support the Vet Fellows program aligns with AAVMC’s goal of preparing the veterinary workforce for the future through global research programs,” said Dr. Andrew T. Maccabe, AAVMC chief executive officer. “Partnerships with organizations such as FFAR support our strategic plan and organizational mission.”

The Vet Fellows program is one of several Scientific Workforce Development programs that FFAR funds to prepare today’s scientific workforce to address the food and agriculture challenges of tomorrow.

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) builds public-private partnerships to fund bold research addressing big food and agriculture challenges. FFAR was established in the 2014 Farm Bill to increase public agriculture research investments, fill knowledge gaps and complement USDA’s research agenda. FFAR’s model matches federal funding from Congress with private funding, delivering a powerful return on taxpayer investment. Through collaboration and partnerships, FFAR advances actionable science benefiting farmers, consumers and the environment.