Veterinary Services Grant Program open for applications

This year’s Veterinary Services Grant Program (VSGP) is currently accepting applications.

The VSGP will provide $2.4 million in funding to relieve veterinary shortage situation and support veterinary services. Created by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), the VSPG was authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.

The purpose of the VSGP is to support development, implementation, and sustainability of veterinary services to relieve veterinarian shortage situations in the United States and insular areas. Grants will be made available on a competitive basis to:

·       Establish or expand accredited veterinary education programs, veterinary residency and fellowship programs, or veterinary internship and externship programs carried out in coordination with accredited colleges of veterinary medicine.

·       Provide continuing education and extension, including veterinary telemedicine and other distance-based education, for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and other health professionals needed to strengthen veterinary programs and enhance food safety.

·       Cover travel and living expenses of veterinary students, veterinary interns, externs, fellows, and residents, and veterinary technician students attending training programs in food safety or food animal medicine.

Eligible applicants for education, extension, and training programs include: state, national, allied, or regional veterinary organization or specialty board recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association (link is external); college or school of veterinary medicine accredited by the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (link is external); university research foundation or veterinary medical foundation; department of veterinary science or department of comparative medicine accredited by the Department of Education; state agricultural experiment station; or state, local, or tribal government agency.

Eligible applicants for rural practice enhancement programs include for-profit or nonprofit entities or individuals operating veterinary clinics in rural areas and veterinarian shortage areas as specified in the request for applications.

The deadline for applications is May 19, 2017.

To see more information about how to apply, go to the VSGP Applicants page on NIFA’s website.

Read the full press release.

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