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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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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.