WVA/MSD Veterinary Student Scholarship 2026:Worth US$5,000
The World Veterinary Association (WVA), in partnership with MSD Animal Health, is offering veterinary students an opportunity to receive financial support through the WVA/MSD Veterinary Student Scholarship Program 2026.
The programme is designed to support the academic development and professional growth of veterinary students around the world, particularly students who demonstrate academic commitment, leadership potential and a passion for animal health, animal welfare and public health.
The scholarship provides 40 awards of US$5,000 each, representing a total scholarship fund of US$200,000.
About the WVA/MSD Veterinary Student Scholarship
The scholarship is jointly offered by the World Veterinary Association and MSD Animal Health.
The programme aims to reduce financial barriers faced by veterinary students and help them improve their academic experience, professional skills and contribution to the veterinary profession.
Veterinary medicine plays an important role in:
- Animal health and welfare
- Public health
- Food safety
- Food security
- Disease prevention
- One Health
- Community development
- Global health
By supporting promising veterinary students, the programme seeks to encourage the development of future veterinary professionals and leaders.
The scholarship has previously supported students from several regions around the world and has helped recipients pursue their academic and professional goals.
Scholarship Benefits
Selected candidates will receive:
- US$5,000 each
- Financial support to improve their academic experience
- Recognition as a WVA/MSD scholarship recipient
- The opportunity to be recognised among promising veterinary students internationally
The scholarship may help recipients meet education-related expenses, such as:
- Academic materials
- Books
- Practical learning resources
- Research-related expenses
- Professional development activities
- Other approved educational needs
The scholarship announcement does not state that the award covers tuition, accommodation, living expenses or travel in full. Applicants should therefore treat the US$5,000 as a financial award rather than a complete study-abroad package.
Number of Scholarships Available
The 2026 programme offers:
- Number of scholarships: 40
- Value per scholarship: US$5,000
- Total scholarship fund: US$200,000
The awards are intended for selected veterinary students from eligible regions.
Eligible Regions
The scholarship is available to students who are citizens or students in countries within the following regions:
- Latin America
- Africa
- North Africa and the Middle East
- Asia and Oceania
Students from eligible African countries, including Nigeria, may apply if they satisfy the academic and other requirements.
Applicants should confirm that their country falls within the programme’s grant coverage before submitting an application.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for the WVA/MSD Veterinary Student Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a citizen or student in one of the countries covered by the grant.
- Be currently enrolled at a recognised school of veterinary medicine.
- Be registered for the relevant academic year specified in the application.
- Have completed all first-year examinations.
- Be in the second or third year of a veterinary medicine programme.
- Be in a later year if the veterinary programme lasts longer than four years.
- Not be a first-year student.
- Not be a final-year student.
- Not have previously received a WVA/MSD Animal Health scholarship grant.
- Be able to receive international funds through the SWIFT banking system.
- Have a bank account registered in their own name.
- Submit the application in English.
Academic-Level Requirement
The scholarship is primarily intended for students who have already completed their first year and are progressing through their veterinary medicine programme.
Applicants in the following categories are generally eligible:
- Second-year veterinary students
- Third-year veterinary students
- Students in later years of programmes lasting more than four years
The programme excludes students who are just beginning their first year or those already in their final year.
Application Document Checklist
Applicants should prepare the following information and documents before starting the application.
Required or Relevant Documents
- Proof of identity or citizenship
- A valid passport, national identity document or another accepted identification document may be required to confirm nationality or eligibility.
- Proof of current veterinary school enrolment
- A current student ID, enrolment certificate, registration document or official letter from the veterinary school.
- Academic information
- Details of the veterinary programme.
- Current year of study.
- Confirmation that first-year examinations have been completed.
- Academic performance information, where requested.
- Personal and contact information
- Full name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Country of citizenship
- Country of study
- University or veterinary school
- Programme and year of study
- Banking information
- Applicants must be able to receive international funds through the SWIFT system.
- The bank account must be registered in the applicant’s own name.
- Applicants should be prepared to provide banking information if requested after selection.
Written Application Materials
Applicants should also prepare:
- A personal story explaining their academic journey.
- Their interest in veterinary medicine.
- Their professional goals.
- Their motivation for applying.
- Their commitment to animal health, animal welfare, public health or related areas.
- Examples of leadership, community involvement or professional activities, where applicable.
The application encourages candidates to tell their story in their own words and explain what makes them different from other applicants.
Language Requirement
- Applications must be completed in English.
- Applications submitted in other languages will not be considered.
Applicants should ensure that all written responses are clear, authentic and grammatically understandable.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
The scholarship instructions encourage applicants to tell their stories in their own words and limit the use of artificial intelligence.
Applicants should:
- Write their own responses.
- Provide genuine information about their experiences.
- Avoid submitting generic or fabricated statements.
- Ensure that their application reflects their real academic journey and professional aspirations.
Applicants should carefully follow the current application’s instructions concerning AI-assisted writing.
Application Review and Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed by a subgroup of the WVA Working Group on Veterinary Education.
The review process is expected to consider the applicant’s:
- Academic commitment
- Veterinary education background
- Personal story
- Professional aspirations
- Leadership qualities
- Community involvement
- Passion for veterinary medicine
- Potential contribution to animal health and the veterinary profession
The selection process is competitive, and submitting an application does not guarantee an award.
Announcement of Selected Students
The selected scholarship recipients will be announced online.
The scholarship programme states that the following details of winners may be publicly displayed:
- Winner’s profile image
- Winner’s name
- Winner’s region
Scholarship Details at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | WVA/MSD Veterinary Student Scholarship |
| Year | 2026 |
| Organisers | World Veterinary Association and MSD Animal Health |
| Number of awards | 40 |
| Award value | US$5,000 per recipient |
| Total funding | US$200,000 |
| Study area | Veterinary medicine |
| Study level | Current veterinary students |
| Eligible regions | Latin America, Africa, North Africa/Middle East, Asia/Oceania |
| Application language | English |
| Previous recipients | Not eligible |
| First-year students | Not eligible |
| Final-year students | Not eligible |
| Banking requirement | Ability to receive international funds through SWIFT |
| Account requirement | Account must be registered in the applicant’s name |
Application Deadline
The scholarship information associated with the WVA/MSD programme lists the application deadline as:
October 15th, 2026 as its deadline.
How to Apply
Interested and eligible veterinary students should follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit the Official Scholarship Page
Go to the World Veterinary Association’s official scholarship page:
check below:
Step 2: Review the Eligibility Requirements
Confirm that you:
- Study veterinary medicine at a recognised institution.
- Have completed your first-year examinations.
- Are in the second or third year, or an eligible later year.
- Are not in your first or final year.
- Have not received the scholarship previously.
- Can receive international funds through SWIFT.
Step 3: Prepare Your Application Materials
Gather your personal information, academic details, enrolment information and any requested supporting documents.
Also prepare a genuine personal statement explaining your journey, goals and interest in veterinary medicine.
Step 4: Complete the Online Application
The programme’s application process is conducted through the designated WVA SmarterSelect application platform when the application window is active.
Follow the instructions on the official scholarship page to access the application portal.
Step 5: Submit in English
Ensure that all responses and documents are submitted in English and that the application is complete before the deadline.
Important Things to Note
- The scholarship is for students studying veterinary medicine.
- It offers 40 scholarships worth US$5,000 each.
- The total value of the programme is US$200,000.
- Applicants must be from or studying in an eligible region.
- Applicants must be enrolled at a recognised veterinary school.
- First-year and final-year students are not eligible.
- Applicants must have completed all first-year examinations.
- Students in second or third year, or later years of longer programmes, may apply.
- Previous WVA/MSD scholarship recipients cannot apply again.
- Applicants must be able to receive international funds through SWIFT.
- The bank account must be registered in the applicant’s name.
- Applications must be submitted in English.
- Applicants are encouraged to tell their stories in their own words.
- Selected recipients’ names, photos and regions may be published online.
- The scholarship is not advertised as a fully funded degree programme.
- Applicants should verify the current deadline and application status on the official portal before applying.
Conclusion
The WVA/MSD Veterinary Student Scholarship 2026 offers veterinary students from eligible regions an opportunity to receive US$5,000 in financial support while gaining recognition from two major organisations in the animal-health sector.
Eligible students who have completed their first-year examinations and are currently in the second, third or an eligible later year of veterinary school should review the requirements and submit an authentic application through the official platform.
Scholarship value: US$5,000 per recipient
Number of awards: 40
Total funding: US$200,000
Application deadline: Verify the current 2026 deadline on the official portal
