LAVA Extra Mural Study Award Scheme

 A scheme was established in 1988 to support veterinary students wishing to see practice with veterinarians working in laboratory animal science and medicine.
 The LAVA EMS scheme now attracts funding from a variety of organizations, including Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca and Laboratory Animals Ltd,  all of  whom, share LAVA’s view that it is important for veterinary students be given opportunities to work with laboratory animals in research facilities in order to understand how they are used and the veterinary responsibilities involved in providing for their health and welfare.  The aim is to stimulate an interest in laboratory animal science amongst younger members of the profession and to promote consideration of a career in the field.

 Placements (for 1 or 2 weeks) are arranged at a variety of designated establishments throughout the UK and Ireland, licensed under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. and Directive 86/609.
For students in clinical years, the time spent on the Scheme is normally eligible to count towards the 6 months seeing practice requirement of the RCVS, but is considered to be "non-general practice", and details should be confirmed with the person responsible for your seeing practice. Students in pre-clinical years can count the time as animal husbandry experience. 

Each award provides reimbursement of all reasonable expenditure incurred for accommodation, food and travel up to a maximum of £300/week.  Students accepted on the Scheme are asked, as a condition of acceptance, to complete a questionnaire after their period of seeing practice.  The questionnaire is designed to monitor the success of the placement and to highlight any areas where improvements to the Scheme could be made.
Download an Application form here.

Students are encouraged to consider the benefits of student  membership of   LAVA

 USEFUL LINKS
Potential applicants wanting to find out more are strongly advised to visit the following websites for background information

 1. The use of animals in medical research

              

 

 

 

2. The role of the Named Veterinary Surgeon
 The Home Office position

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons position

 3, Sponsors
       

 

 

 

4,WHAT STUDENTS HAVE SAID ABOUT THE SCHEME

 …"for economic reasons, I would not have…. been able to travel to, and live in ….for 2 weeks. I feel I would have missed out on this wonderful experience and for that, I am sincerely grateful. Thank you!”….

 …”everyone was very generous with their time and always willing to answer questions…"

 ……“encourage more students to participate. I think that students who do not consider the lab animal field as a future career can also benefit from this experience”……

 …“I have since done another week at a different establishment and would seriously consider working in the field "

For further details   contact us   
Down load an  application form,