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VBMA EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR VETERINARY STUDENTS
The Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association currently offers an annual educational scholarship opportunity, open ONLY to veterinary students, in order to promote herbal education. International vet students with proof of vet school enrollment are encouraged to apply. Our educational scholarship is made possible in part by two very thoughtful member donors. We appreciate the continued support and incredible generosity!
2023 topic coming soon!
2022 Essay Topic:
Botanicals can have a vast influence on the microbiome in animals. Describe two such botanicals and how their influence can improve immunological health and well-being.
2022 Submission Requirements:
- Describe research, case reports, and/or personal experience to support your findings. Include at least 3 references in correct publication format.
- Length requirement: between 1000 - 1500 words, including your references.
- Describe research, case reports, and/or personal experience to support your findings. Include at least 3 references in correct publication format.
- You MUST include: a copy of your student ID card, a paragraph explaining how you would intend to use the funds and your future plans, a resume which includes your academic history, and a letter of personal reference.
- Submit your entry and all required documentation online.
- Any submission sent without a completed application form will be considered invalid and will NOT be judged.
- Deadline for submissions is 7/15/2022.
- NO late submissions will be accepted.
Award Amounts, Benefits, Selection Criteria, and Essay Publication:
- Cash award, 1 at $3000 and 2 at $1000 each.
- Winners will receive free VBMA student membership for two years.
- Essays will be read and reviewed by the VBMA Board of Directors.
- Winners are determined by majority vote within 60 days of deadline for submissions.
- All award-winning essays will be published on the VBMA website.
- The first-place winning essay will also be published in the Journal of Veterinary Botanical Medicine.
Announcement of Award:
Winners will be announced at the VBMA’s annual meeting.
Funds Distribution and Usage:
- Monies will be awarded directly to the participant via check, PayPal or wire transfer.
- Use of funds is not restricted.
2021 WINNER
First Prize, $3000.00
Jenna Sandoli - University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine
Read her essay HERE.
Hello! My name is Jenna Sandoli and I am currently a second year veterinary student at PennVet. I am very interested in integrative veterinary medicine and look forward to furthering my education in both veterinary herbal medicine and veterinary acupuncture within the next two years. I believe utilizing both conventional and holistic medicine can lead to great outcomes for our patients. I am currently enjoying my pathology and microbiology courses and serve as the foster coordinator for our shelter medicine club! Second year has proved to be my favorite thus far as we are now spending time expanding our clinical skills and applying many of the concepts we learned our first year to applicable cases. Outside of school, I love spending time at the beach, playing the piano, writing poetry, and walking my dog “Ruby.”
"Thank you so much for selecting me as the recipient of this scholarship. I am beyond grateful and am looking forward to utilizing this scholarship to further my education in veterinary herbal medicine!" - Jenna
2021 WINNER
Runner Up, $1000.00
Golam Mahbub Faisal - Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University.
Read his essay HERE.
I'm Golam Mahbub Faisal; currently, a 3rd-year student enrolled in the DVM program at BSMRAU, Bangladesh. I've covered most of the pre-clinical and para-clinical subjects in the 1st and 2nd years. I am looking forward to getting deep into the clinical topics. I've my field of interest on Molecular Pharmacology of Natural Products, Genomics & Metagenomics, Zoonoses & Public Health, and Molecular Epidemiology. I wish to build a research career in any specific one of these fields.
"Thank you so very much for this great news! I'm very much grateful to VBMA for this scholarship and the publication of my essay in JVBMA!" - Golam
2021 WINNER
Third Prize (tie) , $750.00
Shrabonti Banik -
Sylhet Agricultural University, Bangladesh.
Read her essay HERE.
I'm Shrabonti Banik, an undergraduate student studying Doctor of Veterinary Medicine At Sylhet Agricultural University, Bangladesh. My area of interest in this field is on various infectious diseases of animals. I'm quite interested in content writing. Aside from academic courses, I attempt to get involved in some research project where I can learn more about my preferred field. Recently one of our research paper entitled "Multi-epitope based subunit vaccine construction against Banna virus targeting on two outer proteins (VP4 and VP9): A computational approach" got published in the Journal of Infection, Genetics and Evolution (Elsevier Indexed, Impact Factor-3.342). Besides I love to engaged in many extracurricular activities such as volunteering and event management in my University outside of academic studies.
2021 WINNER
Third Prize (tie) , $750.00
Tahmina Akter - Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. Read her essay HERE.
This is Tahmina Akter from Bangladesh and I am now continuing my 4th year of Doctor Of Veterinary Medicine degree at Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. I am also working as the Head of Standing Committee of IVSA Bangladesh, also playing the role of volunteers in many national and international organizations. My aim is to work as a
policymaker to stop all those malpractices in animals. Food animal medicine is another centre of interest and that is why herbal medicine is in my concern for various reasons. So as a final year student, I am trying to gain as much knowledge as I can, that will help me to lead to my destination. I want to thank VBMA for considering me good enough for this prestigious scholarship. It will act as a motivation for me and will remind me to do better in future.
"I express my heartiest gratitude to VBMA for selecting me for this prestigious scholarship." - Tamina
2021 WINNER
Third Prize (tie) , $750.00
Shakhi Rejuwana - Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University. Read her essay HERE.
I am Shakhi Rejuwana, student of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine faculty (B. Sc. in Vet. Science and Animal Husbandry) at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Bangladesh. Currently I am studying in Level 4, semester I. I dream to be a successful researcher in future. My interests are mainly in Pharmacology, Medicine, Public health, Pathology,
Microbiology and Surgery. Beside academic study I have interests in content writing and volunteering. I like to spend my leisure time with pet animals.
"The VBVMA scholarship was my dream. I am feeling very honoured to get this news. Thank you so much again." - Shakhi
All Our Scholarship Recipients:
2021 - FIVE WINNERS!
First Prize, $3000.00:
Jenna Sandoli - University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine. Read her essay HERE.
Second Prize, $1000.00:
Golam Mahbub Faisal - Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University. Read his essay HERE.
Third Prize, three way tie, each student awarded $750.00:
Shrabonti Banik - Sylhet Agricultural University, Bangladesh. Read her essay HERE.
Shakhi Rejuwana - Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University. Read her essay HERE.
Tahmina Akter - Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. Read her essay HERE.
2020 - THREE WINNERS!
First Prize, $3000.00:
Sarah Scott-Cruz - North Carolina State University. Read her essay HERE.
Runners-Up, $1000.00 each:
Ifteqar Hassan – Chattogram Veterinary And Animal Sciences University. Read his essay HERE.
Kristy Herman – Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Read her essay HERE.
2019 - FOUR WINNERS!
First Prize, $3000.00:
Cheyenne Bone - Oklahoma State University. Read her essay HERE.
Runners-Up, $1000.00 each:
Lillian McKinley – Washington State University. Read her essay HERE.
Alisha Mason – Washington State University. Read her essay HERE.
Jannatul Nyema Nikita - Sylhet Agricultural University, Bangladesh. Read her essay HERE.
2018 - THREE WINNERS!
First Prize: Dayna Locitzer, Cornell University, $750.00. Read her essay HERE.
Second Prize: Rebecca Haber, University of Wisconsin-Madison, $500.00. Read her essay HERE.
Honorable Mention: Ashley Shaw, University of Georgia, $250.00. Read her essay HERE.
2016 - TWO WINNERS!
Erika Ancier, read her essay HERE.
Iina Valkeisenmäki, read her essay HERE.
2014 - ONE WINNER!
Margot Mercer, read her essay HERE.
VBMA Endorses Quality Herbal Products
VBMA recognizes that the herbal product industry has faced quality control and regulatory challenges, and we recommend supporting those companies attempting to self regulate in a meaningful way. Companies that manufacture herbal products marketed for humans should be members of the American Herbal Products Association, an industry organization which explores issues, interacts with regulators, and establishes policy. Veterinary product companies should be members of the National Animal Supplement Council, an organization which develops policies and procedures on adverse event reporting and quality control.
All content © Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association (VBMA) 2022.
The VBMA is not affiliated with the American College of Veterinary Botanical Medicine (ACVBM).
Important Message For Pet Owners
The VBMA does not endorse any products sold on the internet for self prescribing to animals. We believe in the interests of safety that any herb should always be prescribed by a qualified practitioner. There are companies using our name with the suggestion that we endorse their recommendations or products. We specifically DO NOT support any website that unethically sells herbs to the public for non prescribed use in animals. If you are in any doubt as to the authenticity of a claim made on a website about VBMA, please contact us at office@vbma.org. You may use the 'find a veterinarian' link on our site menu to find a qualified practitioner near you.