The Veterinary Services Grant Program (VSGP) is authorized by Section 7104 of the 2014 Farm Bill and received a first-time appropriation of $2.5 million in the FY16 federal budget. The purpose of the VSGP is to relieve veterinarian shortage situations and support veterinary services. Grants will be made available on a competitive basis to qualified entities to develop, implement, and sustain veterinary services through education, training, recruitment, placement, and retention of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and students of veterinary medicine and veterinary technology. Grants will also be made to establish or expand veterinary practices in rural areas.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) anticipates releasing the first Request for Applications for this program in April 2016 and announcing the first grants awarded under this program by October.
NIFA will host the last of three Veterinary Services Grant Program webinars to provide information to applicants and address their questions.
Eligible entities interested in the rural practice enhancement objective of the program should join the May 15 webinar, scheduled from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Webinars will be recorded and posted here after the events. Any questions not address during the webinars can be addressed to vsgp@nifa.usda.gov.
Webinar Link: http://nifa-connect.nifa.usda.gov/vsgp/
Dial-in: 1-888-844-9904
Access Code: 1966323#