BSAVA PetSavers funds clinical research specifically designed to advance knowledge of conditions affecting small animals kept as pets, with the ultimate aim of advancing the understanding of the cause and / or management of a clinical disorder.
Projects are selected in the hope that study results will have a rapid and positive impact on the way diseases are diagnosed, managed and treated in general practice, as well as at a specialist level.
BSAVA PetSavers does not fund experimental research requiring licence under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. The Act makes a distinction between experimental procedures and “recognised veterinary practice” which is defined as ‘procedures and techniques performed on animals by veterinary surgeons in the course of their professional duties, which ensure the health and welfare of animals committed to their care’. The use of experimental animals is not permitted in any work funded by BSAVA PetSavers. This includes work on tissues derived from experimental animals.
The RCVS provides further guidance on Recognised Veterinary Practice and Ethical Review as well as information on their Ethics Review Panel
Access our Guide to Applying for a BSAVA PetSavers Grant
We offer four main types of grant:
1. Student Research Project (SRP) grants to support UK undergraduate student vets and vet nurses in carrying out short research projects. Applications should be made by prospective supervisors.
2. Master's Degree by Research (MDR) grants to fund a UK postgraduate student to work full-time on a 1-year research master's project in companion animal science. Applications should be made by prospective supervisors.
3. Clinical Research Project (CRP) grants to undertake small-scale clinical research in companion animals.
4. Research Fellowship grants support early-career veterinary researchers through the period immediately after gaining a postgraduate research qualification.
We also support specialist areas of veterinary science by partnering with BSAVA affiliates and other organisations that share our principles. Currently we offer joint funding for clinical research project grants with the Veterinary Cardiovascular Society, SAMSoc, and The Debs Foundation; and with the British Hen Welfare Trust to fund an undergraduate student project in chicken veterinary health.
For queries related to grants and the application process, please email petsaversadmin@bsava.com
BSAVA PetSavers' grant funding summary and opening/closing dates
| Grant |
Maximum Award |
Opening Date |
Closing Date |
Decision Made |
Co-funder |
Grant Information |
| Master's Degree by Research (MDR) |
£40,000 |
OPEN: apply now |
31st August 2022 |
March 2023 |
|
MDRs fund a postgraduate student to carry out a specific research master's project, with or without attendance at some short courses (e.g. statistics, thesis presentation). |
| Research Fellowship |
£70,000 |
1st December 2022 |
28th February 2023 |
May 2023 |
|
The Research Fellowship funds an early-career veterinary researcher to help them establish independence. |
| Clinical Research Project (CRP) |
£20,000 |
1st October 2022 |
31st January 2023 |
October 2023 |
|
CRPs enable small-scale clinical research projects to be undertaken in companion animals.
|
| Joint-Funded Clinical Research Projects |
£10,000 |
1st October 2022 |
31st January 2023 |
October 2023 |
Veterinary Cardiovascular Society |
These CRPs focus on cardiovascular health in companion animals.
|
| Joint-Funded Clinical Research Projects |
£10,000 |
1st October 2022 |
31st January 2023 |
October 2023 |
SAMSoc |
These grants offer funding for research into medical conditions in cats and dogs. |
| Joint-Funded Clinical Research Projects |
£10,000 |
1st October 2022 |
31st January 2023 |
October 2023 |
The Debs Foundation |
These CRPs will support a project investigating pain management in companion animals. |
| Student Research Project (SRP) |
£3,200 |
OPEN: apply now |
31st January, 30th April and 31st August |
Within 6 weeks of the cut-off date |
|
SRPs are for undergraduate student vets and vet nurses, and provide a stipend of £200/week for 6-10 weeks, up to £1200 for consumables and the chance to present an abstract in a BSAVA PetSavers student stream at BSAVA Congress. They are open all year round with three cut-off dates.
|
| Joint-Funded Student Research Project |
£2,500 |
OPEN: apply now |
15th July 2022 |
October 2022 |
British Hen Welfare Trust |
This SRP is for undergraduate student vets and vet nurses to carry out a project in chicken veterinary health. It provides a stipend of £200/week for 6-10 weeks, up to £500 for consumables and the chance to present an abstract in a BSAVA PetSavers student stream at BSAVA Congress. |
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