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Sarah Brown Mental Health Research Grant open for applications
“It’s only by improving the veterinary mental health evidence base that we will be able to hone the interventions and support that is available to members of the veterinary team” - Lizzie Lockett, RCVS CEO.
Grant to fund research that focuses on mental health and wellbeing within the profession

The RCVS Mind Matters Initiative is accepting applications for the first Sarah Brown Mental Health Research Grant, named after an RCVS Council member who tragically passed away in 2017.

Starting this year, one £20,000 grant will be awarded each year for five years to fund research that focuses on mental health and wellbeing within the veterinary professions. This will include areas such as prevention, diagnosis, intervention and treatment.

Individuals at all stages of their research careers - including those not previously published - are invited to apply for the grant. Research proposals should relate to any aspect of mental health or wellbeing in the veterinary profession.

RCVS CEO, Lizzie Lockett, says: “Sarah Brown was a talented veterinary surgeon who was passionate about her profession. She was respected and loved by so many people and worked hard to support others. So it is fitting that, with the blessing of Sarah’s family, we are able to launch this grant in her memory.

“It’s only by improving the veterinary mental health evidence base that we will be able to hone the interventions and support that is available to members of the veterinary team.”

Grant applicants should send their research proposal, together with a CV and short biography for all lead researchers to Lisa Quigley, Mind Matters Initiative manager, by 5 pm on Friday 31 May 2019.

Applicants must be affiliated with a university and have ethical improve in place. Proposals should be no longer than 3,000 words including aims, methods, ethical considerations, proposed timelines and a biography.

The winner of the grant will be decided in June 2019, with the winner receiving their award at Royal College Day in London on Friday 12 July 2019.

Guidance on how to prepare a research proposal is available at https://esrc.ukri.org/funding/guidance-for-applicants/how-to-write-a-good-research-grant-proposal/

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Annual submission deadline small pet animal exemptions

News Story 1
 Companies marketing medicines for small pets exempt from authorisation must submit their annual return to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) by 30 November 2026.

Submitting this annual return ensures continued compliance with regulatory requirements for products marketed without a full Marketing Authorisation. The exemption specifically applies to products intended for animals, cage birds, terrarium animals, small rodents, ferrets and rabbits.

For further details and submission guidelines, visit the gov.uk website.  

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News Shorts
Bluetongue RZ extended across Scotland

The Scottish Government has announced an extension to a Bluetongue Restricted Zone that is in place in south-west Scotland.

From 3 October, the Restricted Zone will be extended to cover the whole of Scotland. The Animal, Plant and Health Agency (APHA) says this is in response to further disease spread, as well as simplify trading conditions ahead of the autumn.

Since the whole country will share a disease status, it will no longer be necessary to have a movement license to move susceptible livestock around the country. Restrictions on germinal products remain.

As of 1 October 2026, there were 1,979 cases of BTV-3 in England, 389 cases in Wales and 40 cases in Scotland.