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Student research grant scheme opens for applications
Previous recipients have received grants of up to £5,000.
Funding is available for animal welfare research projects.

A grant scheme for animal welfare projects by undergraduate students is now open for applications.

The Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) Student Grant Scheme is looking to fund short research projects addressing animal welfare issues relevant to managed animals in the UK.

Undergraduate students in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing, animal welfare studies, agricultural sciences, zoology, and social sciences are invited to apply.

The grant scheme has been running since 2016 and has invested more than £85,000 in student research projects. Previous projects have received grants of between £500 and £5,000.

Julian Kupfer, chair of AWF, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for students to engage with scientific research and gain hands-on experience whilst furthering their understanding of animal welfare.

“This will help them to develop essential skills for their professional careers as well as creating valuable evidence and research for the animal welfare sector to reflect upon and learn from.”

AWF is a charity run by the British Veterinary Association to champion and improve the welfare of animals in the UK through independent research, education, and debate. Funding will be awarded to several projects after AWF received a £12,000 grant from the Benefact Group to fund the grant scheme for this year.

AWF manager Erika Singh added: “We are incredibly grateful to the Benefact Group for this generous grant. Robust scientific evidence is needed to address the many welfare issues faced by animals today.

“This funding ensures we can keep supporting students to make a real difference in addressing the challenges animals face and help build a strong pool of future animal welfare advocates, whose work is rooted in science.”

The deadline for submissions is 28 February 2024. Information about how to apply can be found here.

Image © Shutterstock


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BSAVA partners with BVA Live 2026

News Story 1
 BSAVA is to partner with BVA Live (11-12 June 2026) to champion clinical research.

The organisation will be supporting BVA Live's Clinical Abstracts programme, showcasing selected abstracts of veterinary research throughout the event.

The clinical abstracts can be on any small animal veterinary subject, and must be based on research undertaken in industry, practice or academia. Abstracts can be presented in poster or oral formats.

Submissions will open on 15th December 2025, and close on 6th March 2026. You can register interest here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Nominations open for RCVS and VN Council elections

The nomination period for the 2026 RCVS Council and VN Council elections is now open, with three veterinary surgeon seats and two veterinary nurse seats available.

Prospective candidates can download an information pack and nomination form from the RCVS website. Individuals can nominate themselves for the elections, with the results to be announced in the spring.

Clare Paget, the recently appointed RCVS Registrar and elections returning officer, said: "If you want to play your part in influencing and moulding how the professions are regulated, and making key decisions on matters of great importance to your peers, the public and animal health and welfare, please consider standing for RCVS Council or VN Council next year."

Nominations close at 5pm on Saturday, 31 January 2026.