OVMA Future Veterinarian Bursary

The Ontario Veterinary Medical Association is pleased to offer three $1,000 bursaries to support high school students in Ontario who aspire to become veterinarians. The purpose of these bursaries is to financially support students from underrepresented groups and those who are economically disadvantaged.

To be eligible for the bursary, individuals must:

• Be a resident of Canada with an Ontario mailing address.
• Identify with one (or more) equity-deserving groups, including: Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities and/or immigrants to Canada.
• Have financial challenges that impede their ability to fund their ambitions of becoming a veterinarian.

Fill out the application form and email it to Terra Shastri at tshastri@ovma.org. The deadline for application is April 30, 2026. 

Three bursaries are available each school year, and only selected applicants will be contacted. Those selected will be contacted via email by June 23, 2026. Bursary applications are required to include a reference letter from a teacher who has taught the student within the last two years.

Use of generative AI

Applicants are expected to complete their application responses entirely on their own, without the use of generative AI tools (for example, ChatGPT) or assistance from others. The purpose of this bursary application is to understand who you are in your own words. Clear and authentic self-expression is an important skill in veterinary medicine, where communication, professionalism, and the ability to convey ideas effectively are essential. Using AI or outside help takes away from that goal and may result in your application not being considered.