Five $10,000 Scholarships Available to Aspiring Swine Vets

Nov 24, 2025

By Abbey Canon

For the eleventh consecutive year, the AASV Foundation is collaborating with Merck Animal Health to offer the AASVF-Merck Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarships. Thanks to a $50,000 contribution from Merck Animal Health, in 2026 the foundation will award 5 scholarships of $10,000 each to sophomore and junior veterinary students. The scholarships are intended to assist with the educational expenses of aspiring swine veterinarians.

Veterinary students in their second or third year, enrolled in AVMA-accredited or recognized veterinary colleges in the US, Canada, Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean Islands, are eligible to apply. Applicants must be current student members of the AASV for the 2025-26 academic year. The application process requires submission of a resume, the name of a faculty member or AASV member for reference, and responses to four essay questions. Detailed application instructions are available at aasv.org/foundation/veterinary-students/aasvf-merck-scholarship/. Applications are due December 31.

Students who have previously received this scholarship from the AASV or the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) are not eligible to reapply.

Click here to see more...

Video: Inside the Swine Disease Reporting System - Dr. Guilherme Cezar

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Guilherme Cezar from Iowa State University explains how the Swine Disease Reporting System (SDRS) tracks emerging disease trends in the U.S. swine industry. He outlines patterns in pathogen activity, including positive developments with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and concerning surges in PRRS variants. Gain insights into disease surveillance, biosecurity, and cross-border collaboration potential. Listen now on all major platforms!

"The Swine Disease Reporting System aggregates diagnostic lab data to monitor and interpret trends in nine major swine pathogens."

Meet the guest: Dr. Guilherme Cezar / guilhermec-veterinario-037064168 is a veterinarian and Ph.D. candidate in Veterinary Preventive Medicine at Iowa State University, where he also serves as the Coordinator of the Swine Disease Reporting System (SDRS). With a strong background in swine health, biotechnology, and field epidemiology, he focuses on infectious disease trends and data-driven solutions.