The objective of the program is to provide an opportunity for students enrolled in the professional veterinary program (designated as Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Scholars) to have a faculty-guided, positive, and rewarding research experience in the basic or clinical sciences. In addition, the program provides an introduction to research issues, facilities, opportunities, and current research topics. The format is a research experience that occurs primarily in the summer, but literature search, proposal writing, and project planning all occur prior to the summer. The goal of the program is to increase the number of graduating veterinarians who choose a career in research that focuses on animal health and disease. The program is considered successful if it increases student awareness of the excitement and challenges of the research process, and of course, if it increases the number of DVMs who choose a research-related career.
NEW: USDA and Boehringer Ingelheim Expand Summer Research Opportunities for Veterinary Students
Faculty members interested and willing to serve as mentors for this program have prepared a brief description of their research interests, which are posted on this site in early January. Veterinary students at Oregon State University, academic institutions around the country and partner schools in France, Germany, and the Netherlands have a chance to review these descriptions and contact potential mentors working in an area of mutual research interest. A mentor must agree to provide a supportive and learning atmosphere with consistent supervision and direction given to the student. Each student must commit to working full-time on the research project including attending all laboratory and program meetings. Students contacting possible faculty mentors should make sure that the mentor will be in town for the majority of the summer research period and will arrange for supervision during any absences.
The potential faculty mentor and scholars will meet as soon as possible. Faculty mentors will provide a brief introduction to their research interests at this meeting. Scholars write a two page research application under the guidance of the faculty mentor to be submitted to the Program Director. Submission will be reviewed and ranked by an ad hoc committee. Veterinary students with advanced degrees (M.S. or PhD) will not be eligible for the program. Students who have already participated in a College-funded summer research program will also not be eligible for this program. Applications are due by January 22, 2022.
Applications will be ranked based on the independence of the project (pre-existing projects will not be approved), likelihood of successful completion in the time frame available, relevance to a significant veterinary problem and quality of hypothesis, objectives and description of methods.
Submission of applications by students from other veterinary schools is encouraged. Up to two of the six stipends will be awarded to successful external applicant(s).
Students will receive a stipend of $5,000 for the summer period. Supply funding is dependent on the project/workload. The maximum funding for supplies will be $1,000.
Extracurricular activities
Questions about the BIVSP Program? Contact patrick.chappell@oregonstate.edu