Introduction
A lack of diversity, equity, and inclusiveness (DEI) in the veterinary profession is frequently reported as a stressor in the UK and the USA. Snyder et al. reported that the veterinary profession in the USA was the least racially diverse (consisting of 93.8% White non-Hispanics) with one of the lowest proportions of people of color, compared to other health occupations.
Globally, the number of female veterinarians is increasing and has outpaced male veterinarians in many countries and regions, with a total of 58% of European veterinarians being female. Despite this, a gender pay gap is commonly reported in veterinary practice, as well as client sexism, a lack of respect for female practitioners following childbirth and/or work part-time, and gender mismanagement and leadership visibility issues, with females rarely climbing to the upper veterinary hierarchy.
Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) community experience more mental health problems and suicidal ideation in veterinary school and as veterinary professionals.
A global survey by the International Veterinary Student Association (IVSA) concluded that student discrimination is a serious issue due to their ethnicity or sexual orientation at most veterinary universities.
Source: Timmenga, F. S., Jansen, W., Turner, P. V., & De Briyne, N. (2022). Mental well-being and diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in the veterinary profession: Pathways to a more resilient profession. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9, 888189. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.888189
This DEI research grant aims at addressing these challenges and looking at the different angles of DEI important to veterinary students and in the veterinary profession.
Who can apply
Application deadline on the 30th of June 2025 (extended for 1 week)
Applications are welcome from veterinary medicine (undergraduate or MSc) students of any nationality enrolled in European veterinary teaching institutions who are interested in carrying out a project in diversity, equity, and inclusiveness (DEI) in the veterinary profession.
(Please check the Terms and Conditions document for the Criteria)
PhD students are NOT eligible to apply.
Application process
The DEI Research Grant is open for application until the 30th of June 2025.
Interested students are invited to complete and submit an online application form. The form is divided into sections and asks for the following information: details about the student and their current course (including a copy of their CV), details about the supervisor(s) who will be supervising the student for the duration of their project, and a description of the proposed project (including location, dates, and implications for DEI).
Where can the project be carried out?
Projects may be carried out anywhere within Council of Europe countries.
Approval from the University/Faculty is necessary when applying for the research grant.
If the location of the study is not at the university or institute where the student is enrolled, confirmation is needed from the study host.
The applications for research grants must be in collaboration with a supervisor currently working in a veterinary faculty member of the EAEVE (European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education). If the student is not enrolled at an EAEVE member establishment, the collaboration must entail a supervisor from the attended institution and one from an EAEVE member.
Ethical approval from the University/Faculty is always necessary when applying for the research grant.
Review, evaluation and selection
The review and selection process will be coordinated by the FVE and its joint FVE/FECAVA/IVSA Working Group on Mental Well-being and DEI. Decisions are taken independently of all external influences and the content of all discussions until reaching decisions shall be confidential. Where conflicts of interest arise (e.g. in discussions of research proposals from a veterinary teaching establishment or with a supervisor sitting in the review committee), the review committee member in question will not participate in the evaluation and will not review the proposal.
Timeline
Application deadline
Application must be sent by 30th of June 2025 at midnight CEST.
Results announcement
Results will be available on Vetjoy website.
Deadline for submission of final research results
Max 10 pages, plus poster/equivalent deliverable.
Presentations of results during the FVE General Assembly
Hybrid event.
Common questions
In the past few years, studies have illustrated the lack of diversity, equity and inclusiveness in the veterinary profession. More specifically, the racial diversity is really low. Female veterinarians, although highly represented in the veterinarian profession, suffer from sexism, a lack of respect towards their work-life balance, and gender bias. Moreover, veterinary students and professionals in the LGBTQ+ community suffer from more mental health problems and suicidal ideation.
To address these challenges, the research proposal must be about the different angles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) important to veterinary students and in the veterinary profession.
Please note that DEI must be the main focus of the project. We do not support projects focused on e.g. mental well-being only.
The research will be relatively limited, due to its short duration and the early career stage of the students.
Although typically completed during July-September, research may be carried out at any time during the year of application.
Projects usually last 4 to 12 weeks, although they may be longer.
Three research grants will be provided. Each research grant is 500 € (Euros). A first amount of 300€ is paid by November 2025. The second part is paid after the presentation of the results for the FVE general assembly (June 2026).
Grants are normally paid by bank transfer.
A report of research report that includes final results (max 10 pages, Aptos pt 11, single spaced) as well as a presentation and poster must be delivered at the end of the project/funding.
Need further assistance? Feel free to contact us directly: hello@vetjoy.org