Our Research Fellowship aims to support veterinary academics in the early stages of their research career. The funding targets the period immediately after gaining a postgraduate research qualification and will help individuals establish themselves as independent researchers and/or prepare for a research council fellowship application. It requires active mentorship from a senior scientist and 50% guaranteed research time from the recipient’s institution.

The Fellowship offers a grant of up to £70,000 to be spent over a maximum of two years. Funding can be used to support research costs and travel, and up to 30% of the total grant can be used to fund research-specific salary or stipend costs. The funding decision of the grant awarding committee is final. Applicant suitability can be demonstrated by the following:

  • Possession of a veterinary qualification (veterinary surgeon or registered vet nurse)
  • Completion of a postgraduate research degree (PhD, MRes or MPhil)
  • Being within the early stages of a research career (starting a research post within the last 10 years, excluding valid career breaks)
  • Currently in post or with an offer of a guaranteed post of at least 3 years’ duration if funding is awarded
  • Having received less than £250,000 of funding from external sources

**Please note that a research mentor should be identified before applying as they will need to complete the application form in association with the main applicant.**

This grant call is currently closed and will reopen in December 2025.

 

How to apply

  1. Complete the application form (below – making sure to fill in the checklist at the back of the form, provide the names and contact details of three reviewers with whom you have no conflicts of interest, and provide truncated CVs for each grant applicant).
  2. Obtain a letter of support from your head of department or practice principal.
  3. Obtain, or at the very least apply for, ethical approval for your project and provide supporting evidence of this.
  4. Complete our terms and conditions (below) by obtaining signatures from the main applicant (supervisor) and authorised representative of the institution.
  5. Email all documents to petsaversadmin@bsava.com.

Useful resources

Fellowship application form
Fellowship terms and conditions
Fellowship report form – this is for successful applicants to use once research has commenced

 

Find out about our other funding opportunities

Need inspiration for research ideas? Read about projects that we have previously funded