Program Overview

Veterinary Research Scholars Program

The Veterinary Research Scholars Program (VRSP) is an intensive research training program for veterinary students that promotes research excellence. The program provides high-quality and relevant science concepts through a weekly journal club and seminars, while strengthening critical thinking, leadership, and communication through hypothesis-driven research projects and oral presentations.

About the Program

The program is designed to expose veterinary students to critical thinking processes inherent to hypothesis-driven research activities and subsequently meet the national needs in the field of veterinary medicine. Veterinary students in their first or second year of veterinary school are encouraged to apply. Successful applicants will be matched with established mentors based on research interest.

Program Commitment

The program commitment includes:

• Completing a 10-week research project during the summer term under the guidance of an approved research faculty mentor
• A full-time commitment of 40 hours/week over the summer
• A $6,500 stipend for 10 weeks
• Daily/weekly schedules determined by the mentors and will vary among laboratories
• Weekly lectures
• Attendance at the National Veterinary Scholar Symposium

Timeline

The program timeline is as follows:

• Application Deadline: February 16, 2026
• Selection Award Notification: March 13, 2026
• Program Orientation: June 1, 2026
• Program Conclusion: August 5, 2026
• National Veterinary Scholar Symposium: August 6-8, 2026

Research and Discovery

The program is part of the broader research and discovery efforts at the School of Veterinary Medicine, which includes:

• Our Research
• Centers & Institutes
• Core Facilities Information and Guidelines
• Graduate Program
• Seminar Series
• Faculty Research Club
• What's New

Program Details

The program is an essential aspect of the school and is the core of this program. We have 37 faculty researchers housed within our school. Through a supportive, mentored research experience in an established laboratory and through seminars and discussion groups on careers in science, it is hoped that veterinary students will gain an insight into career opportunities in biomedical research.