2023 Program dates: May 15 - August 9, 2023 (tentative, subject to change)

APPLICATION DEADLINE - NOON, FEBRUARY 3, 2023

The Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine, Office of Research and Graduate Studies is proud to announce the availability of summer stipend awards for veterinary students seeking research training. The awards will provide summer stipends for students working for faculty members on approved research projects. The stipends will be awarded on a competitive basis and will provide $5,000-$6,500 for the summer term.

Goal

The primary goal of this program is to assist in the development of knowledge and skills of professional veterinary students in comparative and veterinary medicine related research problems. This training program provides mentorship and infrastructure for veterinary students to attain specific technical and conceptual skills to perform hypothesis-based research involving faculty supervised projects at The Ohio State University or with associated collaborative institutions.

Research Environments and Finding Mentors

The research environments available for veterinary students include a diverse array of opportunities. The College of Veterinary Medicine is an important component of one of the most comprehensive health sciences centers in America and is central to creating a healthier world. Faculty mentors are involved in research to improve the health of animals, the safety and quality of food animal products, wildlife and conservation (see below for list of funded opportunities), and the understanding of basic mechanisms of disease. Our interdisciplinary research programs bring together talented investigators from across the University, nationally and internationally, to share knowledge, skills and ideas in collaborative research projects, technology development, and commercialization. To find a mentor, visit the hyperlinks above to explore the faculty profiles in specific interest areas or click on the following for the complete list of faculty in the college.

Suggested Steps to Find a Research Mentor

1. What are your interests? Pick an area that you would like to explore - something that you want to learn more of and that you will enjoy. Think about what you would like to investigate - whether it be something that might have been touched on in class, or something you will be studying in the future.
2. If you do not know, then surf around the departments of the college and see what grabs your attention.
3. If you already know what area you would like to pursue a project in, your next step is to find the mentor to sponsor you.
4. Set up a time to meet with several faculty mentors to see who you would feel comfortable working on a project. It needs to be a mutual working relationship in order to get the most out of the experience. If you cannot find a mentor from the lists provided or have contacted them with no response (email and calling), then contact our office and we can help you make contact.
5. Funding - when you meet with the mentors - ask what they think about the different types of stipend funding available. Do they think it is a good idea to try for Merial or Morris funding? Sometimes your area of interest will determine the funding source.
6. Look at the application and see what is required of the student and mentor. Communicate the requirements to your mentor and observe deadlines! Submit your materials in by the specified deadlines (these may vary according to the funding - see below).

Funding Sponsors

Funding for this program comes in a variety of forms - grants, industry, endowments, gifts, departments. Below is a listing of the sponsors who have participated in the past.

Industrial:

• Boehringer Ingelheim - There will be 1-4 positions to be funded by the Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Scholars Program. To be considered for one of these slots, you must complete the application and submit it by the February 3, 2023 deadline. The application package can be found below. More information on the National Veterinary Scholars Program can be found at Boehringer Ingelheim. Non-Ohio State applicants should contact Michele Morscher with their intention to apply to the program. Please scroll down this page and complete the Summer Research Program Application.

Foundations:

• Morris Animal Foundation: The Morris Animal Foundation also sponsors a summer research program. ONE application from each school may be submitted for consideration. To be considered for the one MAF Scholar slot, you will need to complete the appropriate application and submit it to the College's Office of Research & Graduate Studies for initial review by NOVEMBER 14, 2022.

• AVMA/AVMF 2nd Opportunity Summer Research Scholarship Program: open to students who have previously conducted a summer research project and are seeking a second summer of research experience.  Each school may select and forward ONE student application to AVMF. Deadline for consideration to the College's Office of Research & Graduate Studies is JANUARY 11, 2023.

  • More information can be found at AVMA/AVMF 2nd Opportunity Research Scholarship

PLEASE CONTACT MICHELE MORSCHER (morscher.1@osu.edu) IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE MAF OR AVMA/AVMF 2ND OPPORTUNITY FUNDING.

Government Programs

• NIH T35 Training Grant: (10 positions): The purpose of this training grant is to provide short term research experiences for professional veterinary medical students, allowing them to acquire specific technical and conceptual skills to perform hypothesis based research involving biochemical/molecular, tissue culture, and/or animal models of disease. Mentor List for the T35

Alumni/Endowments/Gifts:

• There's a variety of funding available through endowments and donors, ranging from pathology to food animal medicine, to shelter medicine and global health.

More information on the summer research program can be found below.

• Environment
• Veterinary Student Training Overview
• Compliance Training
• Workshops and Field Trips
• Seminars
• Training Program Retreat
• Scholar Selection
• External Recruitment
• Mentor Information

Application and Selection Process

Program Eligibility

Veterinary students that have completed at least two semesters (one academic year) of the veterinary professional curriculum by June of each year are eligible. Trainees are expected to have acquired a minimal cumulative grade point-hour ratio (CPHR) of 3.30 in veterinary school. Applications will be reviewed by the college's Council for Research, a committee of faculty representing all departments in the college. Each application will be evaluated and given a score.

Summer Research Program Application

Materials required for the application

• Completed Application form by student and mentor - Application Form can be found on the side bar under Important 2022 Deadlines and Documents
• Letter of Support from the mentor - should include funding support, plan of training, meetings, etc..
• Ohio State Students: Current Advising Report - can be found on Buckeye link (If you are a NON-Ohio State Student - then an Official Transcript is required)
• Resume or CV (curriculum vitae)

Deadlines

All materials should be sent as electronic (email) attachment (as a single PDF) to Michele Morscher (morscher.1@osu.edu) by 5:00 pm February 1st  to be considered for this program. 

For Further Information or Questions, Contact