PetSavers – Launch of brand new BSAVA PetSavers Research Fellowship to support early-career veterinary researchers

2 December 2021

The Research Fellowship is designed to support veterinary early-career researchers through the period immediately after gaining a postgraduate research qualification. Applications are open to qualified veterinary professionals (veterinary surgeons or registered veterinary nurses) who have completed a postgraduate qualification such as a PhD or Masters, and who are within the first 4 years after starting an academic post (Lecturer, Fellowship or above) and have received no more than £50,000 of funding in competitive external grants to date.

The Fellowship encourages a supportive environment by requiring that the host institution employing the grantee guarantees that a minimum of 50% of the grantee’s contracted time will be dedicated to research for the duration of the grant. The application should also name a senior scientist with significant experience in research supervision and/or post-doctoral career mentorship to act as a mentor, providing active support to the grantee.

David Killick, Chair of the BSAVA PetSavers Grants Awarding Committee said: “BSAVA PetSavers is delighted to launch the PetSavers Research Fellowship. It is well recognised that the journey from completion of a PhD to becoming established as an independent researcher is one of the most challenging times of a researcher career.

“With this new grant, BSAVA PetSavers will support exceptional veterinary professionals in the early-career researcher phase develop their research ideas by providing £35,000 towards research costs over a two-year period. Through this initiative BSAVA PetSavers aims to help these researchers reach their potential and in so doing expand the capacity for companion animal research in the UK.”.

The grant call opens on 1^st December 2021 and closes on 28^th February 2022, and a decision will be made by the end of May 2022.