AAVMC Veterinary Faculty Awards
AAVMC Excellence in Research Award
The AAVMC Excellence in Research Award recognizes outstanding research and scholarly achievements in veterinary medicine. The award honors those who demonstrate excellence in original research, leadership in the scientific community, and exceptional mentoring of trainees and colleagues in any discipline of veterinary medicine. This award also showcases the contributions of AAVMC member institutions to the scientific community, and the Award Committee seeks the most outstanding individuals for this recognition.
AAVMC Distinguished Veterinary Educator Award
Presented by Zoetis
The AAVMC Distinguished Veterinary Educator Award, presented by Zoetis, recognizes excellence in professional veterinary medical education. It is the most prestigious teaching award in veterinary medicine and is presented to an educator whose sustained record of teaching excellence and ability, dedication, character, and leadership has contributed significantly to the advancement of the profession.
Iverson Bell Award
The Iverson Bell Award is presented in alternating years in memory and recognition of Iverson Bell’s outstanding leadership in and contributions to promoting diversity in veterinary medical education.
Billy E. Hooper Award for Distinguished Service
The Billy E. Hooper Award for Distinguished Service is an annual honor that recognizes an individual whose leadership and vision have made a significant contribution to academic veterinary medicine and the veterinary profession.
Veterinary Student Scholarships
The Zoetis Foundation/AAVMC Veterinary Student Scholarship
Presented by Zoetis
The Zoetis Foundation/AAVMC Veterinary Student Scholarship was created to offset educational expenses related to veterinary education. The program focuses on addressing student debt, which may impact the future of the veterinary profession. More than 200 scholarships worth $7,000 are awarded to students at AAVMC Institutional Member organizations in the United States and Caribbean. These scholarships are paid directly to students' accounts at their institution. The program provides equal opportunity for applicants, regardless of location, by using total student enrollment at each veterinary school as a means of determining the available number of scholarships per school.
Merck Animal Health Diversity Leadership Scholarship
Presented by Merck Animal Health
The Merck Animal Health Diversity Leadership Scholarship recognizes students who have consistently championed addressing inequities and underrepresentation in the veterinary profession, advocated for social justice, and advanced the value of diversity and inclusion at an AAVMC Institutional Member organization. Each year, up to 16 scholarships are awarded, with each recipient receiving a one-time payment of $10,000.
Patricia M. Lowrie Diversity Leadership Scholarship
The Patricia M. Lowrie Diversity Leadership Scholarship recognizes veterinary students who have demonstrated exemplary promise as future leaders and have significantly contributed to enhancing diversity and inclusion in academic veterinary medicine. Recipients are selected exclusively from the Merck Animal Health Diversity Scholarship nominee pool and receive a one-time award of $6,000.
Chewy Veterinary Leaders Program
Presented by Chewy Health
The Chewy Veterinary Leaders Program recognizes second-year veterinary students from underserved groups who have shown an interest in and affinity for growing leadership capabilities. Individuals selected for the program will receive financial assistance as well as resources to support them through their final years of veterinary school and into the next phase of their careers. Each year, 15 students are selected and awarded a $20,000 scholarship, distributed over one year ($10,000 per semester). Each AAVMC Institutional Member organization may nominate one eligible student for the program.
Zoetis Foundation/AAVMC Veterinary Research Scholarship
Presented by The Zoetis Foundation
A $25,000 scholarship, paid directly to each recipient's institution, is awarded to two veterinary students who are pursuing an advanced degree in basic or veterinary clinical research fields of study.
AAVMC Grants
CIVME Research Grant
The Council on International Veterinary Medical Education (CIVME) promotes and shares best practices in veterinary medical education worldwide. CIVME Research Grants support initiatives that align with one of the council's goals:
- Communication and collaboration that advances veterinary medical education around the world
- Collaboration among educational researchers
- Dissemination of innovations and other educational advances to magnify the impact of projects by outreach to educators and their respective organizations
CIVME Research Grants will resume in Fall 2026.
AAVMC/FFAR Veterinary Student Research Fellowship Grant
Veterinary science is critical to solving challenges affecting nutritional security, environmental sustainability and public health. However, most fellowships available to veterinary students are limited to traditional biomedical research, with limited opportunity to conduct research outside that scope. To ensure students are aware of the numerous opportunities for veterinarians, the Veterinary Student Research Fellowship supports veterinary student research ranging from climate change to pandemic prevention. The three-month fellowship prepares fellows for multifaceted careers in science and public service. Fellows complete their research with a qualified mentor and present their findings at the annual Veterinary Scholars Symposium.
Each year, up to 15 fellows receive a $10,000 stipend to perform research including, but not limited to, agricultural economics, nutritional security and food access, environmental sustainability of agriculture, advanced technologies, zoonotic diseases and pandemic prevention, and antimicrobial stewardship.
Applications for 2026 will open in January.
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