Fellowship board chair Professor John Innes.

Veterinary professionals from all backgrounds urged to apply

Veterinary surgeons from all backgrounds are being urged to apply for Fellowship status in 2020.

The Fellowship is the learned society of the RCVS, aimed at veterinary surgeons whose activities demonstrate excellence in veterinary endeavour and who have distinguished themselves on account of their ongoing commitment to further enhancing the profession.

Founded in 1877, the Fellowship recently became open to more of the profession with three new routes recognising laudable contributions to veterinary knowledge; clinical practice; and the profession. Since their implementation in 2016, the new routes have seen more than 150 veterinary professionals welcomed to the Fellowship.

In 2018, the Fellowship launched a three-pronged strategy to help it reach its aim of becoming a learned society. Its key aims were to promote scientific excellence, harness the expertise of Fellows to further professional skills and to conduct activities that enrich public discourse about the impact of veterinary science to everyone.

Fellowship Board chair Professor John Innes is calling on more veterinary surgeons to help the Fellowship meet its strategic aims by applying for FRCVS status.


“When I applied to join the new Fellowship back in 2016 it really appealed to me because of my love of research gained from my academic career and because I could see that, under the Chairmanship of my predecessor Nick Bacon, there was a new vibrancy to the scheme,” he said.


“This has been demonstrated by not only an increasing number of people joining the Fellowship but a broader range of the profession including more women, more people outside academia and people of a slightly younger demographic. I would also encourage primary care vets who have made substantive contributions to also consider applying.”


He continued: “As a whole, I believe the Fellowship, as a learned society with a pool of knowledge and expertise, can play a distinct role in helping animal owners and wider society understand some of the scientific issues and debates of the day. Individually, Fellows can also provide guidance and mentoring to some of our younger peers, including veterinary students, and encourage them to think about joining the Fellowship at a later date.


“If this appeals to you I would strongly encourage you to, at the very least, consider applying to become a Fellow and find out about the requirements, the process and about the evidence you need to supply and talk to any peers and colleagues already in the Fellowship for help.”

Applications for the Fellowship will remain open until Monday, 3 February 2020. Full details on how to apply can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/fellowship and those seeking bespoke advice and mentoring on their application can email fellowship@rcvs.org.uk

Image (C) RCVS.