Education
Grants
Financial Aid That Empowers
Why Education Grants?
The short answer: we’re creating opportunities. Education grants give members of the veterinary BIPOC community an enriching experience at conferences which helps them grow as professionals – in their skill and network – while also spreading awareness about DEIB principles
Join us for AVMA 2023 in the Mile High City!

July 14-18, 2023
Denver, CO

The DVMC is excited to expand access to veterinary medicine education to the traditionally underserved and underrepresented by offering education grants. Winners will receive an education grant in the form of free registration and paid travel expenses (hotel and airfare).*
With over 600 hours of high-quality CE credit hours to choose from, conference attendees will have the opportunity to learn in a variety of formats and network with industry professionals. The AVMA is proud to partner with the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) for this year’s Convention. Learn More about the opportunities to enhance and enrich your career at AVMA.
*This grant does not include meals or transportation to/from the airport. Previous DVMC Education Grant Recipients are ineligible to receive this grant.


May 8, 2023
Applications Open

June 4, 2023
Application Deadline

June 9, 2023
Recipients Chosen

Who should apply?
Licensed DVMs, veterinary technicians and veterinary students.
Candidates from the BIPOC community and other underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
All applicants must be US citizens or legal permanent residents with a valid permanent resident card or passport stamped (I-551).

How to Apply?
Submit an essay (maximum 500 words) answering the question:
“What has been your primary obstacle in your educational journey as a historically excluded minority? How would you leverage that obstacle to improve DEIB in veterinary medicine?”
All responses will be kept anonymous.
Apply for the 2023 AVMA Annual Conference Education Grant
“*” indicates required fields
Meet Our Past Grant Recipients
Dr. Marcus Dela Cruz
2022 WVC Grant Recipient
2022 WVC Grant Recipient
“We need more diversity in this field so that we can better serve our diverse clientele, so we can create a supportive and vibrant professional community, and so we can inspire young children of all colors and identities to pursue veterinary medicine as a profession.”
Valerie Marcano, DVM, PhD, Dip. ACPV
2022 WVC Grant Recipient
2022 WVC Grant Recipient
“I struggled academically in college…I worked part time and relied on financial aid to obtain my bachelor’s, veterinary and PhD degrees.”
CiAsha Hickerson
2022 AVMA Grant Recipient
2022 AVMA Grant Recipient
“Younger me would be absolutely floored that I was able to prevail out of Flint to study in London, at the world’s best veterinary school, to become a doctor”
India Woods, DVM
2022 AVMA Grant Recipient
2022 AVMA Grant Recipient
“As a new doctor, program coordinator, and Centennial Fellow for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Auburn College of Veterinary Medicine, I am proof that DEI initiatives in veterinary medicine are working.”
Mariaelena Sanjuan
2021 Grant Recipient
2021 Grant Recipient
“Now I realize how important it is to raise the standard of care for rabbit patients because they are often not given the same standard of care that dog and cat patients receive.”
Michelle Mounier-Barrera, LVTg
AVMA 2022 Grant Recipient
AVMA 2022 Grant Recipient
“I desire to raise awareness and educate clients about proper animal care by highlighting the value of the animal-human bond, public health, and finding innovative ways to reach out to underprivileged clients and patients.”