FFAR & AAVMC Open Applications for 2025 FFAR Vet Fellows

As producers grapple with devastating diseases like H5N1 influenza (bird flu), African swine fever and foot-and-mouth disease, alongside growing demands for improved animal welfare and sustainable practices, the need for skilled veterinarians to safeguard the nation’s food supply has never been more urgent. However, the United States is experiencing a critical shortage of veterinarians specializing in livestock and poultry, threatening public health, food safety and the economic vitality of agricultural communities.

To support the development of future veterinary researchers, the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) established the FFAR Veterinary Student Research Fellowship (FFAR Vet Fellows) in 2018. This year, the fellowship features several updates to expand its scope, eligibility and impact. The program is accepting applications for the 2025 cohort.

Veterinary research 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 to support veterinary student research ranging from climate change to pandemic prevention. The fellowship prepares fellows for multi-faceted careers in science and public service. The fellows complete their research with a qualified mentor at an AAVMC member institution and present their findings at the annual Veterinary Scholars Symposium.

The fellowship is open to domestic and international students currently enrolled in a DVM or VMD degree program. New this year, students enrolled in or who have completed an advanced research or non-research degree, such as an MS, MPH or graduate certificate are eligible to apply. 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 program is providing up to 15 students a total of $16,000 — a $6,000 increase from last year — to perform research in, but not limited to: agricultural economics; nutritional security and food access; environmental sustainability of agriculture; advanced technologies; zoonotic diseases and pandemic prevention; antimicrobial stewardship; and new this year, livestock/production animal welfare, One Health and veterinary occupational health and safety.

For full details please refer to the 2025 Request for Applications (RFA).

The fellowship application period opens January 15 and closes February 26, 2025. Each application must include a letter of support from a program director or department chair. Information about this program and the application process is available on the Vet Fellows webpage.

Partnering with FFAR on the Vet Fellows program illustrates AAVMC’s dedication to fostering growth and development for veterinary scholars through meaningful research opportunities.

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.

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Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research

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 the U.S. Department of Agriculture’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.

Connect: @FoundationFAR 

American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges

The member institutions of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) promote and protect the health and well-being of people, animals, and the environment by advancing the profession of veterinary medicine and preparing new generations of veterinarians to meet the evolving needs of a changing world. Founded in 1966, the AAVMC represents more than 40,000 faculty, staff, and students across the global academic veterinary medical community. Our member institutions include Council on Education (COE) accredited veterinary medical colleges and schools in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as departments of veterinary science and departments of comparative medicine in the U.S.