Merck Animal Health (MAH) has announced an increase of $115,000 in funding for its Veterinary Student Scholarship Program. The program will provide $300,000 in scholarships to outstanding second- and third-year veterinary students in the 2017-18 academic year. This increased funding will support an additional 22 scholarships for students focusing on companion animals in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. The MAH Veterinary Student Scholarship was established in 2013 in partnership with the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF). Scholarship recipients are selected annually based on academic excellence, financial need, leadership, and area of interest within the profession. MAH provided $185,000 to the scholarship program in the 2016-17 academic year. “These students are our future visionaries and will become the leaders of the veterinary profession,” said Norman Stewart, DVM, livestock technical services manager for MAH. “Through this program, we are reinforcing our long-standing commitment to education, personal development, and the science of healthier animals. It also allows us to help support the cost of veterinary education, as well as recognize and celebrate the next generation of leaders.” The AVMF, the charitable arm of the American Veterinary Medical Association, has supported the education and training of veterinary students for more than 50 years. “We are honored to continue our partnership with Merck Animal Health and are incredibly grateful for their increased level of financial support in the scholarship program,” said Debborah Harp, CFRE, AVMF executive director. “The impact of their funding ensures that the best and brightest veterinary students will continue their education and serve our profession as the next generation of leaders.” The application process for 2017-18 scholarships is open Nov. 15 – Dec. 31. Completed forms must be submitted by midnight Dec. 31, and scholarship recipients will be notified in March 2018. All veterinary students in the classes of 2018-2019 are encouraged to apply. Visit avmf.org for forms and more information.
