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WesternU / College of Veterinary Medicine / Research / Extramural Research Opportunities for Students

Extramural Research Opportunities for Students

Explore Research Opportunities Outside of WesternU CVM

Extramural opportunities are listed here to provide yet another avenue for students to explore their passion for research and expand their research experience off campus in new environments and settings. These opportunities may vary in location (national or international), application method, requirements, or activity dates.

Students are encouraged to explore the options below and reach out to either the individual sponsors, or the CVM Office for Research, should they have any questions.

  • Boehringer Ingelheim

    Boehringer Ingelheim is a future-oriented company that recognizes the mutual benefit of introducing their global family and business to interested employees of the future. They offer internship opportunities that might appeal to veterinary students, especially those with a research focus. For more information, please visit the Boehringer Ingelheim website.

  • NIH Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research

    NIH Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research for Veterinary Medical Students (SIPBR)

    This opportunity is an 8+week long hands-on laboratory research program for pre-doctoral veterinary medical students interested in biomedical research. It helps students develop skills in scientific research while working with lead biomedical scientists using cutting edge technologies at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Enrichment opportunities are provided to allow interaction with other veterinarians at NIH, and provide the chance to learn about comparative molecular pathology and comparative oncology initiatives in human biomedical research, attend formal lectures/seminars, discover professional roles performed by veterinarians working in a research environment, and share experiences with your peers from colleges across the nation. Enrolled students will present posters at NVSS at the end of the program. The Summer Research Internship Program (SIP) is also part of a larger group of subprograms, and multiple subprograms may be applied to.

    Additionally, stipends are available for summer internships via this mechanism. The CVM Office for Research will provide an additional $1000 towards travel and housing fees for participating students.

    NIH Summer Research Internship Program in Biomedical Research for Veterinary Medical Students (SIPBR)
    NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP) General Information & Subprograms

     

    NIH Medical Research Scholars Program (MRSP)

    The Medical Research Scholars Program endeavors to be the premier training program for future clinician-scientists that advances health by inspiring careers in biomedical research. By engaging students in basic, clinical, or translational research investigations, a curriculum rich in didactics and professional development, and a robust mentorship and advising program, MRSP prepares its Scholars to become tomorrow’s leaders in medicine and biomedical research. This is a 1-year program.

    NIH Medical Research Scholars Program (MRSP) Website
    2021-2022 Informational Seminar Recording (password to view video: x#.8u.F!)

    To be eligible for this opportunity, students must meet the following criteria: be in their 2nd, 3rd or 4th year in the veterinary program they are enrolled in ; be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident ; have a strong interest in conducting basic, clinical, or translational research.

  • John’s Hopkins School of Medicine Summer Fellowship

    NIH Sponsored Summer Research Fellowships for Veterinary Students

    John’s Hopkins University Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology offers six distinct summer fellowship opportunities for veterinary students. Eligible host labs are led by proven mentors whose research interests may focus on infectious disease, immunology, cancer biology, genetics, or neurology. Veterinary students will join a group of students from multiple veterinary schools, in addition to John Hopkins’ own veterinarian trainees and faculty for a 12-week program. This program includes the opportunity to participate in cutting edge translational research, lab meetings and seminars relating to your summer project, field trips, and more. This is a great option for students who have already taken advantage of the opportunities at their own veterinary school and would like to try something different.

    This program is open to 1st and 2nd year veterinary students.

    General program information

    2023 Application link

    2023 Program flyer

  • Maddie’s Fund Summer Scholar Grant

    Maddie’s® Idea Lab is offering summer scholar grants to graduate or veterinary students at colleges or universities in the United States. These grants provide students with a summer stipend to pursue research and develop expertise under the guidance of a mentor. They encourage research projects that support the evaluation of innovative ideas that support lifesaving efforts or the utilization of foster care for dogs and cats.

    Applicants must be graduate or veterinary students currently enrolled and in good standing at a college or university in the US, and must be supported by a mentor at a a college or university. Please refer to the website for all criteria.

    Maddie’s Fund is not currently accepting applications for summer grants – please check the website regularly for updates.

    Maddie’s Fund Grant Application and Information

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epidemiology Elective Program

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Epidemiology Elective Program (EEP) introduces medical and veterinary students to applied epidemiology, public health, and global health* through hands-on experience and mentorship by CDC subject matter experts. This program offers 6- or 8-week rotations largely based at CDC in Atlanta, Georgia. Interested students should check the website below frequently for new application deadlines.

    Research training opportunities for veterinary students at CDC
    The Epidemiology Elective Program for Senior Medical and Veterinary Students

  • Stanford Summer Research for Veterinarians

    T35 Summer Research Fellowship

    The T35 Summer Research Fellowship program is designed to help veterinary students become biomedical researchers. This program consists of individual research projects, workshops on research-related papers, a veterinary student journal club, and career development sessions. Presentations will be conducted on their campus in Stanford, CA, and at the NVSS.

    Stanford T35 Flyer

     

    NIH-Funded Research Training for Veterinarians

    This program helps address the shortage of veterinarians who are trained for independent research by supporting veterinarians during their research training as PhD students. It is funded by a T32 training grant from the NIH. Veterinarians and 4th year veterinary students may apply for postdoctoral research training without being enrolled in a PhD program. The NIH requires a commitment of at least 2 years full-time. Trainees may be eligible for NIH student loan repayment programs. Postdoctoral scholars are registered at Stanford University as non-matriculated non-degree seeking students, which allows deferment of student loans.

    Training can involve any area of biomedical research, and applicants must identify a research mentor. Appointment to the training grant includes a stipend of $64,268/year plus funds to support training related expenses, including travel to present research findings at scientific meetings.

    Visit Stanford Medicine’s website here for more information