World Veterinary Association is Giving 40 Veterinary Students $5,000 Scholarships in 2026

Veterinary school is expensive, demanding, and often leaves students trying to balance tuition, living expenses, clinical training, and everything else that comes with earning a veterinary degree. For 40 veterinary students around the world, a new scholarship opportunity could make that road a little easier.

The World Veterinary Association (WVA) and MSD Animal Health have announced the return of the WVA/MSD Veterinary Student Scholarship Program for 2026, offering 40 scholarships worth US$5,000 each.

Altogether, the program represents a US$200,000 investment in veterinary students and the future of the profession.

Who is eligible for the scholarship?

The scholarships are open to eligible veterinary students studying in countries across four regions:

• Africa

• Asia/Oceania

• Latin America

• Middle East/North Africa

Applicants must be a citizen or student in one of the countries included in the program and must be enrolled at a recognized veterinary school during the 2026–2027 academic year.Students must also have completed their first-year examinations and be in the second or third year of their veterinary program, or a later eligible year if their veterinary degree takes longer than four years to complete.

Students who are currently in their first or final year are not eligible.

There are a few other requirements

Applicants cannot have previously received a WVA/MSD Animal Health scholarship. They must also be able to receive international funds through the SWIFT banking system into a bank account registered in their own name. Applications must be submitted in English. One important part of the application is the student's personal story. WVA and MSD Animal Health are encouraging applicants to explain what makes them stand out and to share their experiences in their own words.

In other words, this isn't just about grades. Applicants have an opportunity to explain who they are, why veterinary medicine matters to them, and what they hope to contribute to the profession.

How are recipients selected?

Applications will be reviewed by a subgroup of the WVA Working Group on Veterinary Profession and Education. The selected scholarship recipients will then be announced online. Each recipient will receive US$5,000 to help support their veterinary education and academic experience.

When is the deadline?

The application deadline is October 15, 2026. Students who qualify shouldn't leave this one until the last minute. Between confirming eligibility, preparing the application, and writing a strong personal statement, it's worth giving yourself plenty of time to put together an application that actually sounds like you.

Ready to apply?

Eligible veterinary students can review the full requirements and submit their application through the World Veterinary Association.

Apply for the WVA/MSD Veterinary Student Scholarship here

With 40 scholarships available and $200,000 being awarded overall, this is a significant opportunity for veterinary students who could use some extra financial support while working toward their DVM or equivalent veterinary degree.