Applications Invited for 2023 WSAVA Michael J. Day Scholarship

Applications are invited for the 2023 Michael J. Day Scholarship launched by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) in memory of Emeritus Professor Michael J. Day. Open to veterinary students around the world, the Scholarship provides financial assistance for research into an aspect of small companion animal infectious disease, clinical vaccinology or immunology.

The selected Scholar will spend two to three months carrying out their research in a host university or academic environment of their own selection. They will receive a grant of up to US$15,000 to support them in carrying out their project.

Applications are invited from veterinary students, studying towards a registrable veterinary degree in an accredited veterinary establishment in a country in which the WSAVA has a member association. Full details and guidance on the application process, together with eligibility criteria are available here: https://wsava.org/news/events-courses/applications-invited-for-the-2023-wsava-michael-j-day-scholarship/

The deadline for nominations is September 3 2023, with the successful Scholar informed by December 17 2023. The research project should be conducted between December 2023 and February 2025. Within three months of completion, the Scholar will be expected to provide a 1,500-word report on their findings. They will also be invited to present or publish their findings in English, as a poster or abstract, during WSAVA World Congress.

Emeritus Professor Michael Day was Chair of the WSAVA’s Vaccination Guidelines Group (VGG) from 2009 until March 2020. The VGG is a team of experts from around the world focused on providing evidence-based scientific advice to the global veterinary profession on optimum vaccination practice for dogs and cats.

The 2022 Scholar was Nepalese veterinary student Somnath Aryal. His project to study the prevalence of canine tick-borne diseases in the dog population of Nepal was selected from more than 30 submissions.

The Michael J. Day Scholarship was created by the WSAVA with the generous support of MSD Animal Health.

Commenting on the Scholarship, Dr Richard Squires, Chair of the VGG, said: “We were delighted at the quantity and quality of applications we received in the first year of the Michael J. Day Scholarship. They highlight the enthusiasm of many veterinary students to further the profession’s knowledge in areas relating to small companion animal infectious diseases and clinical vaccinology and to carry out rigorous scientific projects which could potentially benefit millions of companion animals and their owners.

“We are grateful to MSD Animal Health, the long-term committed Partner of the VGG, for supporting this Scholarship, and look forward to reviewing this year’s applications.”

“MSD Animal Health recognises the positive impact of vaccination on the health of small animals and is keen to encourage veterinary student research in this important area. We believe this Scholarship is a fitting tribute to Professor Michael Day – a leader known for his commitment to both research and education in this field. We were delighted at the strong and enthusiastic response following the launch of the Scholarship last year and look forward to further high-quality submissions for this year’s award,” said David Sutton, global technical director, Companion Animal Vaccines.